Yes! For the EDSA exclusive bus lane

It was well over a decade ago or even probably close to two (if my memory is serving me right) when the idea of an exclusive bus lane with barriers along EDSA was suggested. The blueprint was described in a letter sent to me, which, pardon me I can’t find right now in the heaps of letters that I have received since the TV show Motoring Today started its first broadcast in 1987 and the column coming out a few years after. I’m sure you’ll appreciate the hard task of going through a file of letters accumulated in a span of twenty-three years and the inability to locate a particular one pardonable. I think it was from a certain Mr. Yulo that the letter came from and likewise the idea of adopting the said system along EDSA also originated. I also remember having supported the concept in my column but then the people on top of the metro’s traffic management then thought otherwise, so I guess that was the end of it.

When I got word that the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is presently mulling the idea of putting up an exclusive bus lane in EDSA, which would be delineated not merely by a yellow line but with something more permanent like barriers, I felt that perhaps the concept had finally found its time.

If you are a keen observer of how things are in EDSA traffic-wise, you would know that the real culprit behind the traffic congestion and the reason for most gridlocks in the metro’s main thoroughfare is the presence of too many buses (more than what the experts know it can actually accommodate). And this is exacerbated by undisciplined and uninformed drivers that weave in and out of their designated lane and maneuver their behemoth vehicles like they were sub compact sedans and floor their accelerators like they were in a drag race.

And if you would look a little deeper into the other causes behind such demeanor, you would find out that slowly, but surely the market forces are already working in this soon-to-die bus transport industry – with the supply (of buses) far outnumbering the demand (of bus commuters) as the commuters’ preference has been established to go to the mass rail transit system – and why not?

Commuters have realized that the mass rail transit system, although not that comfortable especially during the peak hours, is a lot safer (have there been any metro rail holdups?), faster and reliable. Now, because of the stiff competition among the bus drivers (borne out of the play of market forces) and the manner in which they are compensated, which is based on the number of passengers that they would be able to take, it’s an “every man for himself” kind of life while plying their routes in EDSA for them to survive – therefore near chaos.

So, I guess the most politically right thing to do is to let the business equation take its natural course and see if the bus transport system could still survive despite the market forces, but let them fight their battle without affecting the other motorists and road users. This can be done by giving them an exclusive bus lane that is bordered from the other motorists by cement barriers. These cement barriers should be movable so that they can be lifted to allow for movement of buses in case of stalling or accidents. Now, for other motorists to gain access to side streets there should be limited openings that should be situated only in main intersections (the sacrifice should be borne by all) where vehicles other than buses can gain entry to or exit from.

This idea can be experimented on without much expense, that is, if the agenda is only to find out if it can work and not to make money out of the experimentation. Much of the expense would be in the fabrication and installation of cement barriers and the purchase of stand-by forklifts or similar equipment to immediately lift these barriers in cases when it would be needed.

The putting up of elevated bus terminals can come later or while the experimentation is underway to allow time to get rid of glitches in the system. The best designed systems would always have glitches when they are finally implemented. The important thing to do now is to immediately give the buses their exclusive lane and for the commuters to learn get on and off the bus only at the designated places. It would be easier now to spot buses that do not follow the loading and unloading rules for it would surely cause a long line of buses behind and it would be egged no end by the other buses on the queue.

Can we finally see some order along EDSA?

Tito Sen rides again

We can now heave a sign of relief and stop cringing at the sight of young children riding in tandem or sometimes with other young siblings while their daring father gingerly weaves in and out of lanes and lines of vehicles while eagerly wanting to reach their destination at a much lesser cost than taking public transport – that is if the proposed legislation of Senator Vicente Sotto III is passed into law.

If you remember, it was also Sen. Tito or Tito Sen to many, who is one of the principal authors or sponsors of the Seatbelt Law. Although, sorry to say, it’s “a sham of a law” in many parts of the country including major cities like Cebu, the Seatbelt Law has undoubtedly created a lot of awareness among many motorists – drivers and passengers alike regarding the added protection that the seatbelt offers in case of accidents. When it was finally passed as a law, those who were aware of the importance of seatbelts but found it less of a macho thing to buckle up had the law as an excuse to do so.

Now, with former “Tiltdown Men” guitarist and vocalist (only those from my era of the 60s would know this) and now lawmaker Tito Sotto proposing a law to ban children (12 years and below) from being allowed to ride on motorcycles, we shall all stop cringing at such a sight of a whole family composed of the father, mother and children sandwiched between them motorcycling in the streets waiting for an accident to happen.

We are all aware of the economic reasons behind such frightful scenario. But again, do we let people gamble the lives of innocent children in exchange for saving a “few” pesos? I know the word “few” is subjective but the value of life is universal.

We sincerely hope this legislation gets done and done fast.

A “show of hands”

This early I have been receiving queries as to what the plans are for the staging of 2nd STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge.

If you remember, we had established a milestone in the country’s motor sports history by assembling the biggest ever starting grid of a “Sampaguita Rally” last March 6.

All 63 vehicles of assorted automobile models representing the entire economic strata of the local auto industry from the entry level models to high end multi-million peso sports cars were flagged-off from the Ortigas Home Depot for a “timed special stage” that ran all the way to Subic where the tricky main rally route was arduously managed by a limited crew of a driver and combined route/time navigator.

Georges Ramirez, of the famous racing clan of the late Pocholo Ramirez and Kookie Ramirez, will again work on an exciting route, more exciting than last year. And if plans would not miscarry, it would involve both Clark and Subic to add good measure to the event’s thrill and excitement.

Next week, I would request for a “show of hands” among our friends from the auto industry, for whom this event is dedicated and exclusive to, in order to find out how many are joining to be able to better plan out the much-awaited event. There will be some improvements and innovations in the running of the event foremost of which is allowing a third man in the crew for a more equally divided contribution to the team’s success or failure – driver, time navigator and route navigator. No more excuses guys.

Happy Motoring!!!

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