|
AS we
finished writing that column on the MRT, news came out
the next day that the government had just placed an
order for several more coaches to accommodate the
ever-growing number of daily commuters.
This is
excellent. However, the government should also consider
reducing the number of buses plying the same route to
ensure that commuters will surely line up for the MRT.
There are so many dilapidated and air-polluting buses
that should be taken out of Edsa or stopped from plying
the roads of Metro Manila. It’s about time that the
government do something about this before it’s too late.
By the
way, we are giving way to this letter from a reader who
shared his opinion regarding the MRT:
Dear Mr.
Sevilla,
It’s
good that you are writing about how mass rapid transit
system should be a viable alternative for commuters.
This point cannot be stressed enough, and a good number
of Metro Manilans do agree.
But from
what I read or hear about occasionally, the picture
isn’t that simple. First, the trains are way
overcrowded, frequencies are far in between and the
station infrastructure are just, well, sad (see the
commuter transit systems in other countries and you’ll
know what I mean).
As the
systems are running with government subsidies,
increasing ridership via more carriages and frequencies
only means increased government costs. If memory serves
me right, the actual running cost is more than twice the
ticket price.
Secondly, the systems (save probably the line running
down Aurora Blvd) are grossly ill-designed and with
poorly lit stations, grossly inadequate ticket
facilities, narrow stairwells. I would not be surprised
if a few pockets were lined during the design and
construction. Did you ever notice how the three
existing lines are very poorly linked? The best designed
interchange so far (that is, the least poorly designed)
is the one in Gateway Cubao, which means an
approximately 20-minute walk, or even worse during the
hours when Gateway closes. And don’t get me started on
Ortigas station, a misnomer if there was one. People
need to ride a bus from Ortigas Avenue to get to this station. It’s so close to the Shaw station
that trains do not bother to speed up, whereas the next
one,
Annapolis,
feels like a suburb away. Surely, having two stations
on both ends of the giant mall, and very far from the
major thoroughfare (and another mall) after which it was
named is a little too strange to blame on idiotic
design. I should know, I live and work in Ortigas, but I
frequent Makati.
It is
rather ironic that this issue should be discussed in a
column on motoring. But yes, as much as the mass rapid
transit system is utilized to capacity, it is poorly
designed and grossly insufficient. Unfortunately, the
majority of Metro Manilans have not much of a choice in
a metropolis that remains very pedestrian unfriendly and
unsafe with a public transportation system that strips
riders of a little bit of dignity each time— just the
right incentive to buy a car. Wait in traffic if we
must, but if we had a choice, we can always do it in the
air conditioned confines of our own cars. Can’t blame
‘em!
Michael
P. Lim
GOING
back to those buses, do you know why Makati-based
employees are now riding those FXs and for-hire vans to
and from their respective homes and offices?
Riding
on FXs and for-hire vans is very relaxing and their
air-conditioning systems are better than those of big
buses. They also seldom stop and their travel time is
shorter.
Go and
see those buses waiting for passengers along Ayala
Avenue, especially at night and you will see their
helpless passengers dozing off in order to pass away the
very long time that they spend at a given bus stop. Most
of them awaken after a 15-minute nap only to find out
that they are still at the same bus stop where they
boarded earlier!
“Nakakainis talagang sumakay na dyan sa mga bus lalo na
sa gabi dahil sa sobrang tagal maghintay ng pasehero.
Kung puwede na nga lang maglakad pauwi o kung meron
ibang masasakyan hindi na kami sasakay pa ng bus!”
said one angry employee who works on a night shift.
***
SHELL
has come out with a new and interesting promo that
targets those car owners. Our friend Anika Salceda, told
us what it is:
“As the
global leader in fuels and with the much welcomed launch
of its new advertising campaign ‘Made to Move,’
Pilipinas Shell has embarked on a mission to take its
customer commitment to the next level. This means, more
than just a provider of quality fuels, Shell wants to
make a difference in the way people move, so that they
too, have better driving experiences. This is why
Pilipinas Shell is raffling off three Audi A3 1.6
Sportback cars. Now, Filipino motorists not only enjoy
the quality fuels developed with over 70 years of
innovation, but also get the chance to win a dream car!
“At
Shell, more than fuel, we make movement. We don’t just
make static liquid, we give life to the things that move
you. That is why we are committed to make our fuels
better so you can move faster, better, and further.
Movement isn’t simply going from place to place; it is
an exhilarating feeling, and unforgettable experience.
That is why we are giving away 3 dream cars! Shell. Made
to Move.”
***
OFFICIALS of Mandaluyong City are starting to realize
the importance of that long road that slices through
Nueve de Pebrero all the way up to Francisco Street
(formerly Open Canal), which is a main thoroughfare that
connects Makati, San Juan and Quezon City.
Early
this week, we saw several police and barangay
authorities manning several important choke points along
the long street virtually eliminating traffic hazards
and other roadblocks. I hope this will be a 24-hour,
seven-days-a-week operation and not another “ningas
cogon” affair.
The said
street serves as one of the main alternatives to
motorists who want to avoid the very busy Edsa and
C-5 Road.
The officials need to have a 24-hour police visibility
along the street (not just the presence of a mini police
precinct somewhere in the middle of the stretch) in
order to minimize or even stop shady characters such as
car vandals, snatchers, holduppers and the like from
victimizing passing vehicles.
In the
past, many vehicles (including my van) were pelted with
stones when they were caught in the crossfire of warring
gangs in the area. Up to now, the police have yet to
arrest the suspects in the incident, which happened one
November night last year.
Luckily,
my son suffered just a small contusion in the abdomen
and a few cuts from the glass shards when a big stone
broke the window of my van. I was able to identify the
culprits (who are known “bad eggs” in the area) but the
police have been unable to arrest them.
One
member of their rival gang was unlucky that very same
night when he was stabbed more than 20 times and died
before reaching the same hospital where I brought my
kid. |
