Usually during rush hour, it takes Ian two hours from his home in Kamias, Quezon City to his office in Intramuros, Manila. Now, his travel time is reduced to only an hour and a half. Thirty minutes can make a big difference.
Based on a study, it is believed that one of the major causes of traffic is the high volume of buses in the city’s streets. The Manila City Council passed a resolution that aims to ease the worsening traffic in the capital by regulating entry of the buses. Manila’s city officials see the bus ban as a solution to the traffic problems along España. Only city and provincial buses with existing terminals were allowed to enter Manila.
Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno went to Mabuhay (formerly called Welcome Rotonda) to personally direct the traffic flow and stop buses from entering their turf. On the first day of the implementation, the bus drivers and passengers experienced confusion and inconvenience.
A week after the it was imposed, Estrada and Moreno modified the bus ban allowing only 10 buses per company to travel along Taft Avenue and España Boulevard. Those allowed to enter the city should have the franchises and must bear signboards with plate and body numbers duly signed by the city’s vice mayor to prevent duplication. Unloading and loading stations were also strictly identified. Moreno strongly states that “colorum” buses are not welcome in their territory. The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board also showed support and assured to work closely with the city government in going after illegal utility vehicles.
Buses without terminals are allowed to park in other terminals as long as they provide a terminal fee. The high cost in acquiring a contract at the Park and Ride terminal in Lawton has become a concern for bus operators but few days ago, Manila city hall and bus operators have agreed to a deal reducing the terminal fee from P120 to P75. See, compromise is good.
According to Moreno, “desperate times call for desperate measures.” The streets of Manila are among the many congested roads of the metropolis. This has long been an issue and Manila’s mayor has initiated a bold move to break the impasse. The traffic problem is a serious matter that needs attention and immediate action. It is a situation that Filipinos face every day. It does not only affect work performance, but the health of commuters as well. Change is definitely needed. It has to start somewhere and these two city officials have shown that there is a way, despite the deteriorating condition of Manila. Estrada made it clear that the bus ban is not absolute. Patience is definitely a virtue during this trial-and-error phase since modifications are still expected.
A lot of criticisms arise and several bus operators resist the bus ban. Commuters express inconvenience on their way to and from work. Students raise their concerns – walk longer distances or pay for another jeepney ride which sometimes their daily allowance cannot afford. A few need to wake up earlier than their usual time, or might have to take a different route. Minor problems like these are inevitable and we cannot expect the government to fix it for us. Cooperation and understanding go a long way. Nevertheless, there are commuters like Ian who is in favor of this because going to work has become stress-free and has reduced travel time. Jeepney drivers gain advantage from the bus ban too since passengers need to take another ride to continue their travel to Manila. Moreno emphasizes that everyone will benefit from the bus ban.
Nowadays, vehicles navigate with ease along the streets of Manila. Ian sees this as a good thing. Change maybe difficult but what matters is that we try. Nothing worth having comes easy, it takes time.
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