Better public transport, clean air

MANILA, Philippines - Imagine an EDSA without buses fighting each other for passengers. That is what Albert Suansing, LTFRB chairman, must have thought when he announced to remove 4,000 buses from EDSA. We applaud the government’s efforts to streamline the bus system along EDSA. 

Service will improve if drivers don’t need to scramble for passengers to earn a decent living. Not to mention that drivers will then be less inclined to pick up and drop passengers anywhere they like. Improved service and passenger safety will attract more passengers and thus lead to more profitable bus companies. This is desirable if not critical as witnessed by half empty buses along EDSA.

Smoke belching buses are the eye sore of EDSA and contribute to asthma, lung cancer and heart diseases. The health costs from air pollution are close to $400 million per year for Metro Manila alone. Lost work hours from time spent in peak traffic could cost multi-million pesos.  Removing smoke belchers coupled with better enforcement of the Clean Air Act for remaining buses will allow people to breathe cleaner air.

This move could mark the start of a better public transport system for Manila. Give priority to public transport so that people leave their cars at home as private vehicles are the real culprit of growing congestion problems on our roads. Align the bus system with other public transport forms like jeepneys along secondary roads and the light rail system.  Provide driver training on safe and eco-driving. Take measures to reduce the fuel use, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from buses and private vehicles. Only then can we talk about sustainable transport.

Understandably, the re-employment of drivers and conductors from redundant buses also must be part of the plan. It would be regrettable if not finding a solution for them would stand in the way of a better public transport system along EDSA. — SOPHIE PUNTE, Executive Director, Clean Air Initiative — Asia Center, Pasig City