Why shared mobility is the future  

MANILA, Philippines — For the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), there can only be one future for mobility, and that is when mobility benefits everyone.

MPTC, the toll road development subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is pushing for shared mobility that improves the overall productivity and quality of life of all Filipinos.

MPTC president and CEO Rodrigo Franco said the Philippine economy loses around P3.5 billion worth of opportunities every day from traffic congestion, with productive members of the society forced to travel hours just to get to work.

Franco said the future of mobility should promote the use of automated, connected, electric and shared modes of transport. Through this, he expects not only for city traffic to decongest, but for environmental concerns to be addressed as well, especially as the transport industry is seen as one of the largest carbon emitters.

“The future will have us driving driverless cars, with electric vehicles that will help decarbonize the transport sector. Further, shared use mobility mechanisms like car-sharing, ride-sharing and ride-sourcing can help establish a culture for using mobility resources on an on-demand basis,” Franco said at a mobility forum hosted by MPTC last week.

For one, MPTC unit MPT Mobility Corp. purchased a minority stake in modern jeepney operator Byahe, founded by IP Ventures CEO Enrique Gonzalez and former Grab Philippines CEO Brian Cu.

P1.5 billion for e-jeepneys

Byahe plans to spend more than P1.5 billion in the next five years until 2027 to buy hundreds of electric jeepneys that service commuters in urban centers with less carbon emission.

The modern jeepneys that Byahe eyes to purchase will be deployed mainly in Metro Manila and Central Luzon, while some will be sent out in the urban portions of Cebu and Davao.

“Cities with smart and modern mobility infrastructure are more effective and cost-efficient. This is necessary given the projected rapid growth in populations of people and volume of vehicles in the next few years,” Franco said.

Franco also called on the government to partner with the private sector in pushing for connected transport systems.

He said smart technologies, such as enhanced traffic management to reduce congestion to commuter apps that can track public transport, should be promoted to improve the quality of life of transport stakeholders.

“A local government’s investment in smart urban mobility infrastructure and systems has a large potential multiplier effect to its local GDP, as well as its regional and global competitiveness, that makes it attractive to new economically-productive residents and businesses,” Franco said.

However, Franco warned that the shift to digital in connectivity comes with risks that public and private operators should address, including the threat of data leaks that could potentially expose sensitive information of commuters.

Connectivity projects pushed

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, in response, said the Department of Transportation is pursuing connectivity projects that, upon completion, would benefit commuters.

Bautista announced that the agency will soon begin the civil works for three busway concourses along EDSA that will feature ticketing booths, new turnstiles, and ramps and elevators for ease of accessibility. The concourses are expected to benefit the around 300,000 daily passengers of the EDSA busway.

Likewise, Bautista said the government will push through with the $138 million EDSA Greenway Project to be financed by the Asian Development Bank.

The project involves the construction of elevated walkways along EDSA that are connected to transport facilities like the Metro Rail Transit Line 3.

“Such innovative facilities are being developed around key train stations to encourage Filipinos to use pedestrian facilities for short trips,” Bautista said.

Apart from these, the transport chief vowed that the government will give it all in completing the transport projects, especially on railways, to push for a future of shared mobility.

“We are pushing the pedal to the metal in complying with President Marcos’ order to fast-track these infrastructure projects, so Filipinos can enjoy the benefits at the earliest possible time,” he said