Suggestions

The article on the cheapest solution to our traffic woes received a response from one of our good friends, who is also a reader.

He said that there are a few more things that can be done at the least cost.

Here are some suggestions from Alfonso 'Ponsoy' Alvarez:

• CITOM can ask for legislation to ban cars from certain areas and people can walk, like in most great cities of the world. That way, people will be forced to walk around and maybe a sense of community can redevelop and reduce the emissions in those areas which are traditionally high due to the number of vehicles in that area at any given time.

• Before the BRT is initiated, have CITOM enforcers replace the barkers and make the jeepneys line up at stops. Passengers riding must ride, first come first served. No ifs and buts. That way, no more racing for passengers and no swerves and less traffic. And heavy penalties to be exacted on the spot for jeepneys that violate the rule. Otherwise, impound the jeepneys and have the drivers retake their PROFESSIONAL drivers exam, properly supervised. IF they fail, no more driving until all the requirements have been fully met.

Thanks for the suggestions and we hope that our traffic officials would open their eyes to the fact that there are solutions to traffic congestion that need not entail millions or even billions of pesos.

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We were at the opening of the Toyota Caravan last Friday and the company surely had so much to offer in terms of discounts to the buyers, who signed up during the promotional period, which ended yesterday.

Among the car makers in the country, we've been to several Toyota events the past few years and have even visited their plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

We hope that those looking for a new vehicle had found their match during the Toyota Caravan.

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Traffic around malls gets very heavy early evenings and yes, it is the Christmas rush, but also it is the lack of traffic enforcers or even barangay tanods to make the lives of people easier.

The authorities expect this, but as usual, nothing has been done about it. We cannot just leave everything to fate. We have to do something also.

The area at the entrance of the Asiatown IT Park is also a place where traffic congestion is becoming almost a 24/7 fare like the call centers and other shops in the area.

While the guards of the IT Park are there, there ought to be traffic police and enforcers to help out.

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A reader called us up last week to complain about the traffic congestion on M. Velez St. where the road suddenly narrows going to the Capitol area.

She said that the authorities should clear the place of many obstructions like illegally parked vehicles and the extensions made by the business establishments that are already on the street.

Maybe our officials can start opening their eyes on these things instead of their mouths.

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For comments, complaints and suggestions please feel free to contact us at 2531276 or 2538613 local 237.

You can also send email to [email protected].