Open EDSA Busway to ordinary motorists?
“Adjusted government work hours, adjusted mall hours, banning e-bikes and e-trikes on major roads—many new measures and proposals are being thrown around now to help solve the problem that is Metro Manila traffic. And here’s yet another one.
“‘Buses can be given this privilege during rush hours—two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening,’ Atienza reportedly wrote in a letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘The rest of the day, let ordinary motorists enjoy the full use of EDSA.
“‘It is so sad, even tragic, to see one lane empty most of the day while ordinary citizens are cramped in the very limited roadway.’”
“Atienza also turned his attention to local government leaders—specifically mayors and barangay heads—to ensure their areas of responsibility are free of traffic obstructions that could hinder traffic flow. He called upon them to go after construction companies that store materials and dump debris on sidewalks and inner streets, then leave their mess once the project wraps up. Mall owners, he added, should also ensure proper traffic routing around their establishments.
“He also called for the stricter implementation of truck bans and limiting the movement of container vans to off-peak hours.
“Finally, he said that traffic enforcers should be focused on enforcement rather than entrapment—that is, they should proactively manage traffic flow and guide motorists rather than waiting for them to violate traffic rules so they could be apprehended and ticketed.”
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Zero tariffs for hybrid, plug-in hybrid vehicles approved by PBBM
Did Mitsubishi just tease the next-gen Montero Sport?
New park to replace carpark in Makati City
“Makati City, which initiated car-free Sunday mornings on Ayala Avenue during the pandemic, has now announced that it will be transforming the Dela Rosa 2 carpark (pictured below) into a ‘vibrant hub.’ The artist renderings above show the future development as an urban green space. From carpark to park? Sounds good to us.
“‘Starting June 1, 2024, Dela Rosa 2 Carpark will begin its journey towards becoming a multi-use block, embodying a diverse, dynamic, and vibrant space for everyone,’ reads the official announcement from Make It Makati.
“The AUV Terminal in the current facility will be moved to Dela Rosa 1 carpark. “‘Throughout this renovation phase, alternative parking options such as the Legazpi and Dela Rosa 1 Carparks will ensure your convenience,’ the memo reads.”
Latest combinations available for new applicantions for special plates
“If you’re thinking about getting a special plate number combination, you might want to read this. That’s because the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has just made a major amendment regarding the matter.
“No, don’t worry, the LTO isn’t going to stop offering special plates altogether. Instead, the agency has announced that it has, quite literally, used up all the possible combinations for two- and three-number plates. From now on, the only way to get personalized plates is by going for the more recent four-number combination. Per LTO Memorandum Circular VDM 2024-2614, those applying for a special plate may choose the following:
- Any three-letter combination and quadruple numerics (except 0000)
- Any three-letter combination and any four numerics not yet issued as a series
“The agency adds that this takes effect ‘immediately.’
“According to Section II of LTO Administrative Order 2022-040, these vehicles are allowed to apply for special plates:
- Cars
- SUVs
- AUVs
- Pickup trucks
- Vans
- Imported vehicles (new and/or used)
“Moving to Section III of LTO Administrative Order 2022-040, it lists down the vehicles that cannot apply for special plates:
- PUVs
- Cargo trucks
- Service vehicles (hotel service, rentals, hearses, ambulances, et al.)
- Vintage cars
- Government vehicles (Gov’t fleet, police vehicles, military motorpool)
- Diplomatic vehicles
- Motor vehicles with over four wheels
“Now that the only way to go is the three-letter, four-number combination, there is a higher fee involved. It starts at P35,000 with applicable fees and charges issued by the LTO on top of that. In the past, it was P15,000 for the three-letter, two number combination and P25,000 for the three-letter, three-number combination.”
Pampanga-Tarlac BRT being studied
“A bus rapid transit (BRT) system connecting Pampanga and Tarlac could be up and running by 2027, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
“According to a report by Inquirer.net, the BRT route could be at least 50km long, serving New Clark City in Tarlac (pictured below) and Clark International Airport as well as the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The result of the feasibility study being conducted by the World Bank is expected to be out by October this year.
“BCDA intends to execute the project, which has an estimated cost of P3 billion to P5 billion, via a public-private partnership, with BRT operations to be handled by the private sector. Bidding is expected to take place in late 2024 or early 2025. The construction of the multimodal transport hubs and bus stations along the route is estimated to take two years.
“The BRT system will feature cashless payment and smart technologies to monitor the locations and arrival times of the buses. Bingcang shared that the stations will also have commercial spaces for restaurants and retail outlets. ‘Most of the transport operations do not earn money from passenger fees but on the real estate,’ he explained. ‘We’ll partner with real estate to make it viable.’”
DOTr looking into Manila Bay–Pasig River–Laguna Lake ferry system
“By the end of the year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) says it will know the viability of decongesting Metro Manila roads through an east-west ferry system that will connect Manila Bay and Laguna Lake through Pasig River.
“The establishment of the Manila Bay–Pasig River–Laguna Lake Ferry (MAPALLAF) project could arise via a public-private partnership, said Assistant Secretary Leonel de Velez of the DOTr at the Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum. GMA News Online reports that the ongoing feasibility study is currently assessing the passenger demand for this mode of transport.
“‘It all stems from the demand,” explained de Velez. “So it all starts from how many people will be using this ferry system... If we have 100,000 passengers, then that will determine the number of ferry stations, that will determine the number of the ferry boats… that’s when we will determine the cost.’
“Water from Laguna Lake feeds into Pasig River from the east, then flows westward and drains into Manila Bay. The river is roughly 25km and completely bisects Metro Manila. The current Pasig River Ferry system has 12 stations in the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Manila.
“‘As we know, we have the North-South Commuter Railway. We have the Metro Manila Subway,” said de Velez. “If you see the maps, those are primarily north-south corridors. We do not have as many as what we call east-west corridors for mass transportation, and the Pasig River naturally is there and it traverses east-west.’
“The DOTr is also studying the use of electric ferries, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) expressing willingness to finance the project. As part of the study, the DOTr is also looking into a possible energy source to power these electric ferries.”
