Can’t we have one, integrated Metro Manila public transport system?

I would like to thank Neal Cruz for keeping the conversation about the state of public transportation in Metro Manila alive (“Too many vehicles, too few streets,” Opinion, 2/7/14).

We truly need a more efficient way to move millions of people around the Metro. Other big cities can do it, why can’t we?

Basically, with a light rail system of commuter trains with stops supported by a network of buses and jeepneys that run on set schedules and drop people off at designated stops. And, as Cruz suggested, with a river ferry system that runs in conjunction with the bus and train schedules. Why can’t we have one Metro Manila system of transportation that is truly useful and user friendly?

Passenger buses and jeepneys are to blame (in a big way!) for the hell that is the Metro Manila commute. Old vehicles not fit for use in other countries and gaudy ragtag jeepneys (I’d take function over decoration any day) that stop wherever/whenever are a big cause of the congestion. Breathe in the acrid air of Metro Manila, then look and see where all that bad air is coming from: mostly from smoke-belching buses and jeepneys that pinch pennies in vehicle maintenance for bigger profits. And speaking of profits, let’s not forget the drivers competing for passengers, in the process wreaking havoc on the flow of traffic with sometimes lethal consequences.

I drove along Alabang-Zapote road the other day. While sitting in traffic, I witnessed a pedestrian snatch a purse from a lady inside a jeepney. I almost got into an accident when a bus swerved onto my lane after picking up passengers and, at another time, when a jeepney swerved haphazardly to drop off some fares. Throngs of pedestrians were crossing the road under an overpass and on streets with little or no sidewalk.

That 45-minute drive was chaotic, loud, dangerous and dirty. The phrase “gates of hell” came to my mind a few times. Leaving the country and seeing how easy it is for people to live and work in cities like New York, San Francisco, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Singapore, I am appalled at how our public transportation system is run. I know we are not a First World country, but can’t we aspire to those standards? Even Bangkok is many, many years ahead of us in this respect with their monorails and cleaner tuk-tuks.

Look at the faces of the commuters riding the jeepneys or buses, or squished inside MRT coaches to see how much misery accompanies the daily commute. And we question the productivity of our workforce?

It is no wonder why people won’t ditch their cars. I wouldn’t, not now, at least.

Kris was news when she had to ride the MRT.

In other countries politicians often use the public transport system. Which shows how efficient and user-friendly it is, and that people’s taxes are being put to good use.

A major commitment by our government, a major investment, a major involvement by the people of Metro Manila, a major overhaul of our public transportation are all we need to achieve that major change in the quality of life in Metro Manila. Without these, all we will have would be “patchwork improvements,” much like what are being done with jeepney maintenance.

—ERWIN A. JOVEN,

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