Getting the BRT on the road

Continuing with the search for a quick but effective solution to Metro Manila’s worsening traffic situation, one of our readers Abraham Asuncion, writes about his first-hand knowledge of how the Bus Rapid Transit system can work for the Philippines. 

He says, “The same BRT system is being used for some time now in Alberta, Canada, and also in Toronto, Ontario as well. These are express buses with limited stops traversing on their own lanes and stops. 

“The regular buses have more stops as compared to BRT, and some stops they both share, so they complement each other. This is really so fast, and within 30 minutes or less, we are all at our respective destinations. Depending on the weather conditions (snowfall or winterstorm), these buses all arrive and depart on time.

“To be successful in this endeavor, this should not be privatized. Most of the BRT in the other countries are being operated by government-created departments for this purpose. Here in Calgary, we have Calgary Transit which is responsible for its proper management and operations.

“What’s different about our transit system here is we have what we call a monthly bus pass, which we can use for both LRT (light rail transit), BRT, and other regular buses routes. 

“If you are a regular commuter, the monthly bus pass is cheaper; otherwise, you have an option to buy a weekly pass (advance purchase from designated stores) or a regular ticket that can be purchased upon boarding.  This weekly passes and regular tickets are good for 90 minutes (after machine validation). You can travel as far as you can on LRT, BRT or other regular buses on that given period. 

“We don’t have a bus conductor, and we should have exact change before boarding, otherwise the driver will not let you in. It’s not their responsibility to give you change as the driver is not allowed to get money from you. You drop your fare in the metal case on the side of the driver’s seat, and the driver will issue you a ticket for that day with time of purchase.

“I think I will not go into further details as you may get what I am trying to picture out.”

On airports

Asuncion also shares his experience on airports, specifically about the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), in view of the Philippines’ own problem with Manila’s international airports. He says that since YVR’s expansion more than 10 years ago, it has now extended its territory to two islands.

He says, “Do you know that three-fourths of the YVR airport is in Sea Island, Richmond City and the remaining area is in Vancouver?  But they still maintained the name of YVR. Sea Island is a reclaimed land and further developed to a great business/global community.

“The reasons why I am writing this is that our Manila international airport can be designed like the YVR. Though reclaiming land is expensive, in the long run it will serve good purpose. Due diligence in expedite approach (red tape is not allowed) is needed to prosper our hope to have a world class international airport with world-recognized standard.

“At the end of the Coastal Road (between Paranaque and Bacoor) after the toll way facing the bay is a good location for an international airport. Reclaiming that part of the bay and extending towards the Bacoor area is for me an ideal location for a new airport.

“With proper planning, the government can build a large airport building, maybe bigger than the BKK [Bangkok] or HKG [Hong Kong] or Beijing airports. [Our government] can construct at least two to four long main runways, and four secondary runways in that area. These runways will all be facing Manila Bay.

“Airports in YVR, SFO [San Francisco], Incheon/Busan, and Orange County are all descending from the bay area. It is so picturesque to see especially the changing landscape along the Manila Bay if this will happen.

“This will complement the Roxas Blvd., Macapagal Ave., SCTEX [Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway], Coastal Road, extension of LRT1 [Light Rail Transit 1] to Cavite, and the impending infrastructure projects along the current airports going to Makati and south of Manila.

“There is no congestion because of all these options to air travellers and well-wishers as well. The protected mangroves area nearby should also continue to be protected and rehabilitated.”

On ‘she-men’

We give way too in this column to another reader, Manuel Cantos, who has sent his thoughts on two past columns. Here goes.

“Re your and John Denne’s comments, female maritime students have a wide array of job opportunities waiting for them. If they want to go offshore, they can join cruise liners, shipping companies, insurance companies, port authorities, etc., not necessarily tankers and cargo vessels.

“If on-shore in the Philippines, they can join a number of government offices such as MARINA, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Navy, National Maritime Polytechnic, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, Maritime Academy for Asia & the Pacific, POEA, etc.

“If in the private sector, they can opt to join manning agencies, shipping companies, sea freight/cargo forwarders, customs brokerages, marine insurance companies, certifying agencies (e.g., Det Norske Veritas), or private maritime institutes (e.g., Philippine Maritime Institute).”

Unbecoming behavior

On this column’s views about a blog entry of Fr. Joel Tabora, Cantos writes:

“I agree with Fr. Joel Tabora. It’s unbecoming for the Bishop of Bacolod to campaign ad hominem for or against senatorial candidates on the basis of the RH Law, which is already settled. In effect, he used the house of God to render unto Caesar.

“Why didn’t the Bishop campaign on the dynasty issue instead without having to name names? Comelec will ignore him as it is campaigning for or against certain candidates strictly speaking.

“I received this email from Beliefnet about Titus 1-16. There’s a passage applicable to bishops. It reads:

““For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine and violent or greedy for gain; but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, upright, devout and self-controlled. He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.”

“Perhaps, this could serve as benchmark for bishops who continue to campaign for or against those who voted on the RH bill.”

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.