We’re already reaching the year’s end, but it seems we still haven’t seen the last of 2019’s collection of proposals to solve Metro Manila traffic.
According to a report by ABS-CBN, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP)—an organization consisting of CEOs and COOs in the country—has suggested ‘congestion pricing’ be implemented in the metro. This means that during rush hour, motorists aboard private cars would be charged for using congested roads. Similar policies have been implemented in other countries to discourage the use of private vehicles and instead encourage people to use public transport.
MAP’s proposed scheme also includes the exemption of public utility vehicles (PUVs) from the number-coding scheme in Metro Manila as well as allocated PUV lanes during rush hour. During non-rush-hour periods, however, private vehicles would be allowed to use the said lanes. Furthermore, the MAP has also called for the creation of a ‘Central PUV command’ to monitor the demand for public vehicles.
“It is absurd that the Number Coding applies to PUVs, considering that hundreds of thousands of commuters are lining up starting at 5:30am and as late as 9:30pm,” the group said.
With all the issues and woes surrounding public transportation in the Philippines at the moment, do you think this would be a viable solution? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
