Mass transport alternative

It is heartening to know that the government, through the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is taking a second look at the proposed ‘road trains’ designed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as a possible mass transport option or alternative for the country’s commuters.

The DOST had conducted a series of demonstrations of the features and capabilities of these ‘road trains’ in recently held science and technology events staged in Clark, Bonifacio Global City and the SM Mall of Asia.

Designed to accommodate 240 passengers at a time, this single-engine, 5-coach transport runs on a hybrid fuel configuration using a combination of diesel and battery. The 40-meter long road transport is a series of air-conditioned interlinked coaches developed to help address the worsening mass transportation problem in Metro Manila and in other urban areas throughout the country. It has a safe maximum speed of 50kph, a very effective deterrent for speed-hungry drivers that cause horrendous accidents on the road. Unlike conventional railways systems, the hybrid ‘road train’ is more energy efficient since there is no need for alternating current running through suspended cables. It also produces less smoke emissions compared to cars, trucks and buses thus creating a smaller carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner environment.  

EDSA would be a much-improved thoroughfare if it would be devoid of the present excessive number of buses driven by undisciplined drivers that endlessly try to outmaneuver each other for every precious passenger, the ranks of which are a lot less than theirs and in the unsafe process spew toxic emissions that largely cause the metro’s high level of air pollution. 

Instead we’ll have ‘road trains’, which could be released depending on the passenger demand, eliminating the current unnecessary presence of buses during non peak hours. This alternative mass transport can have designated stops to load and unload passengers. With drivers finally being paid monthly wages the unsafe practice of outmaneuvering other drivers to solicit passengers would finally be put to a stop. With the ‘road trains’ running only along their designated lanes, accidents caused by lane weaving bus drivers would also be eliminated.  

As I have mentioned before in my past columns, many bus operators especially those running “mom and pop” operations would vehemently oppose the prospect of having these ‘road trains’ seeing the light of day as it would eventually mean their inevitable demise in the local public transport landscape. Their only possible means of survival would be to go into mergers or cooperatives. They can pool their financial resources together with other small players to be able to afford their continued presence in the industry. This scenario though would greatly professionalize the country’s public transport sector with the absence of “hand-to-mouth” operations that do not put any value on programmed vehicle maintenance, which ensures less vehicle breakdown and more road worthy vehicles. 

Indeed ‘road trains’ is the way to go to greatly improve our public bus transport system and besides it is designed by Filipino engineers and made with locally available materials—it’s proudly “Pinoy made”.

Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards update

As the end of the voting nears, which is midnight of September 30, interest in the voting trend in the 2015-2016 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year—People’s Choice Awards (AFPCA) hightens. To keep everyone on the loop we called on Mr. Gerry Aquino, the perenial Awards Committee chairman  of this annual excercise that determines the most popular automobile models in each given year since its start in 2005, for an update.

“In general, the overall scores as they currently stand seem to be following expected patterns in the race for AFPCA Models of the Year and the much-desired Automobile of the Year honors. In the Standard models categories, high volume Unit Sales even at 20% value will have significant influence vs. votes at 80% value in the scoring equation. In the lower volume Luxury model categories, the scores will primarily be driven by votes.”

Gerry adds, “Over 4 months into the 6-month poll period (April 1 - September 30, 2015) and with January-May 2015 Unit Sales factored in, we find Toyota models leading in 7 of the 11 Standard Model of the Year categories. Lexus models are on top of the Luxury Model of the Year standings in 8 of 11 categories. When you look at the more coveted Automobile of the Year title, Toyota currently holds 4 of the Top 5 places (Fortuner, Innova, Hi-Ace, Montero Sport, Wigo) in the Standard classification due more to the strength of their unit sales than voter support. For Luxury Automobile of the Year, the Lexus NX200t stands as the erstwhile leader on the back of very strong voter support and despite the fact that it is far from being the no. 1 selling luxury model.”

“However, with 7 weeks still left in the AFPCA poll period, late voting surges for non-leading models are bound to materialize as has been the trend in the past years. These latter month spikes have arisen before for such brands as Ford, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia in the Standard classification, and for BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi and Volkswagen in the Luxury categories. As such, certain models may seemingly have supposedly unassailable margins, but the hunt still has much time to go, and the leaders would do well to keep a wary eye on their closest pursuers.”

Well, it still a long way to go before the finish line and that leaves you the opportunity to vote for your favorite model once daily during the duration of the polls.

Peugeot and “Southern Sojourn”

With almost every major media outfit represented, “Southern Sojourn” is a fun ride and drive that kicked off from Total Service Station in Newport to Pico de Loro, Hamilo Coast via CAVITEX and the Ternate Nasugbu Road.

It’s a collaborative effort by major products and services providers (fuel, restaurant, resort, etc.) with Eurobrands Distributor, Inc., exclusive importers and distributors of Peugeot automobiles in the country providing the entire fleet of premium passenger vehicles including the newly launched Peugeot 2008 urban mini crossover for the invited members of the motoring media to excitingly drive and comfortably ride on. 

In the end it turned out to be a unique experience for the motoring journalists. They were made to face a “cook-off challenge”, where the team that could come up with the best adobo would win. They were lead along through the contest by Manila Times motoring editor and culinary enthusiast Anjo Perez as the invited celebrity chef.

Indeed it was a unique combination of the French Peugeot and the Pinoy Adobo—the best the two countries have to offer.

Isuzu opens ‘bigger’ Cebu City dealership

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) through its dealership Isuzu Cebu, Inc. (ICI), in its bid to serve its customers better in the Queen City of the South, has relocated its Cebu City dealership showroom and after sales services to a bigger and more accessible area in the locality. Now at A. Soriano Avenue, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, it’s situated alongside other Ayala-owned car dealerships.

According to IPC President Hajime Koso, “The new Cebu City branch will be Isuzu’s biggest showroom in Cebu and the relocation will give our well-loved Cebuanos a bigger and better view of the Isuzu vehicles that they have trusted over the years.” He also mentioned that even with the current branch relocation, IPC will be maintaining its main dealership in Mandaue and its satellite office in Talisay.

At the same time, ICI Chairman Mr. Emmanuel Aligada said “We are eyeing better sales output with this new facility coupling it with ICI’s new marketing strategy. We have been planning this relocation a few years back to gain a wider audience, by increasing our visibility in Cebu City, which could yield into better sales output.”

Meanwhile, in line with the opening of its new branch, IPC conducted its 2015 Isuzu Truck Fest Cebu with the Isuzu Cebu branch hosting the event from August 8-14, where ICI showcased seven Isuzu truck models, with a combination of light, medium and heavy-duty trucks.

STV preps for 2nd leg of ARCC

Although it may still be months away, Sunshine Television (STV) has started preparations for the staging of the 2nd leg of the STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge (STV-ARCC) to be held once again in historic and scenic Subic.

Slated for November 28, motor sports enthusiasts can look forward to a weekend of excitement in Subic as the STV-ARCC would be held back-to-back with the Vios Cup, Toyota Motor Philippines’ much-heralded revival of the country’s circuit racing, which is scheduled to run the next day, Sunday.

In the midst of all these is the good news that Mr. Raul Marcelo, a known long-time supporter and initiator of crowd-drawing motor sports and tourism projects is back in the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) Board to make sure laudable projects see the light and successfully staged in Subic. Indeed a big boost for groups that organize such projects and a big boost for Subic itself. Well, we can once again expect a continuing seamless staging of the ARCC with our good friend Raul back and with Rally Director, Georges Ramirez trying to outdo himself again in conceptualizing an even more interesting (meaning hard) and exciting rally route come November.

Of course the team of Argee Gomez, marketing manager of host Ayala Harbor Point Mall shall also be again on hand to make sure the rally starts and finishes glitch less.

Happy Motoring!!!

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