The only way to solve EDSA's bus problem?

Parties are held almost every night nowadays. And whenever I find myself in one, the conversation almost always tends to drift towards the almost chaotic traffic situation that presently pervades in most parts of the metropolis.

Among the many motoring problems that are usually brought up for discussion, the problem of having too many buses plying the EDSA route with the presence of a staggering number of colorums in their ranks seems to be the most favorite and considered by many as the one that needs immediate attention by the Department of Transportation and Communications or DOTC as well as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA.

In these conversations a lot of possible solutions are offered and discussed to solve the bus problem of EDSA. Among the varied solutions being offered, the one that would limit buses in EDSA to a single lane, which would be delineated by concrete barriers, stand out to be the most preferred.

Many are of the opinion that if buses were to be confined to a single lane and separated from the other lanes by concrete barriers, the days of undisciplined bus drivers who wantonly weaved in and out of their delegated bus lanes to the consternation of other road users would finally come to an end.

Many also believe that with a single dedicated lane for buses, the dictates of the market forces in the bus transport sector would be most pronounced, thus giving the excess supply to the limited demand no other choice but cease operations or go somewhere else for their financial survival.

Due to the excess supply of buses, the legitimate ones would probably be left no choice but to squeal on the colorums to give themselves a better chance of surviving.

With the single dedicated lane for buses, the days of dangerous jockeying for better positions in loading zones would also be eradicated. However, the rule on the prescribed limited time to load and unload should be strictly imposed.

There are also suggestions that buses that have legitimate permits to ply the EDSA route should only have a single body color, yellow perhaps, in order to easily spot them when wondering outside of their assigned lane. Other buses that have legitimate permits to operate in other routes should have an assigned color to the specific assigned route. This could help traffic authorities to easily determine at a glance which bus is not where it should be.

The idea sounded out by Secretary Ping de Jesus in his early days at the helm of the DOTC of using the aborted RFID system to tag legitimate buses in order to easily discern them from the colorums could best work in this single dedicated lane for buses. This electronic system would also discourage others from just painting their buses with the color specified on the route that they wish to ply illegally.

However, in the midst of all the discussions of the different solutions presented to solve the bus problem of EDSA in one of the bigger parties that I have gone to, somebody who claims to have once worked with the powers that be in the transport sector of the past government said in a manner with utmost authority, “The problem of too many buses in EDSA with a lot of them colorums can only be solved once those in power and with influence stop receiving bribes in whatever form from a very influential lobby group.”

Upon hearing the unsolicited but authoritatively pronounced testimonial, most of us huddled in the group can only gasp in disbelief with a common question, “Does this still happen despite the change of the government’s leadership?”

The person’s answer was cold as steel, “The only way to solve EDSA’s bus problem is to stop money from changing hands. The problem persists because of hundreds of thousands of reasons on a regular basis”.

I can only tell myself, “No, this cannot be true.”

And I pray to God, I’m right.

2011 auto industry “sampaguita rally” a definite go!

After I requested for a show of hands among many of our friends who are top auto industry execs and a careful recollection of who among those who participated last year have expressed their desire to join again, I can confidently say that we’ll have another staging of the STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge.

Lexus-Manila President Danny “Sir John” Isla categorically confirmed the participation of the Lexus Team, which shall be apart from that of the Toyota Team. And I’m sure TMPC First VP Raymond Rodriguez is itching to make a mark in next year’s competition after his dissatisfaction in their final scores in 2010 despite a very spirited run of his team.

The Covenant Car Company Inc.’s COO Atty. Albert Arcilla can’t wait to see his Chevrolet Team of Chevy Cruzes once again take on the challenge this time apart from the Volvo Team, which he failed to field in the last event.

And how can Froy Dytianquin, vice president for marketing services of MMPC resist the challenge of doing a repeat of the feat he did with Arlan Reyes of finishing in the rankings in the 2010 edition despite running in a Mitsubishi Evolution that was reading in miles with a route book that was in kilometers.

Mr. Felix Mabilog’s Kia Team had the distinction in the last staging of having the most well organized and best-supported team that came complete with uniforms and an overnight stay in Subic to make sure they would be well-rested after the competition and the only team that had a large welcome billboard at the starting line in Subic. I’m sure the indefatigable auto industry veteran looks forward to payback time with a hopeful better finish next year.

PGA Cars executive director Nick Lagmay has expressed PGA chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr.’s continued support for the auto rally, in which the Porsche Panamera Turbo came out to be the most expensive entry of the well-known business tycoon in the event last year.

Though he failed to participate himself as an Isuzu Team member last year, Art Balmadrid, senior vice president of Isuzu Philippines is looking forward to run himself in the next staging.

For Nicky Mariano, Philippine top honcho for Subaru, the problem, most probably, is not to join or not but what Subaru team to field.

And Ford Group Philippines, as the Champion of the 2010 STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge, needs two more championship wins before it can claim permanent ownership of the very symbolical and prestigious Championship Trophy.

After an initial meeting with professional race driver Georges Ramirez of the famous Ramirez Racing clan of the late “racing legend” Pocholo Ramirez, who’s once again our designated Clerk of Course, we agreed to have the rally once again in the tricky maze-like roads of Subic but with a more challenging and mind-boggling route.

For a more manageable event both for the organizers and the participants, a maximum of four (4) cars and a minimum of three (3) shall constitute a team. For a more efficient team each car would allowed a maximum crew of three (3) to assume roles of driver, time navigator and route navigator).

Watch out for more announcements and a letter of invitation from Sunshine Television (STV), organizers of the much-awaited auto industry “sampaguita rally”

Happy Motoring!!

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