EDITORIAL - The terrible traffic, one more time

Right up to this point, Cebu City does not have a clearcut solution to its worsening traffic problem. Everyday, even outside peak hours, traffic can suddenly turn horrendous. Because of its unusual layout -- only a very small portion of the city and its road network is laid out in grids -- and the narrowness of its roads, the smallest traffic accident, say a motorcycle that got bumped by a car, can bring traffic to a standstill in many areas far from the accident site itself.

A snag, however little, can constrict traffic in no time and radiate the jam several kilometers elsewhere. The main problem has long been identified. There are simply too many vehicles that the existing road network can bear. If that is the problem, then the solution is clear. One only has to manage the number of vehicles on the road at a given time and then vastly enlarge the existing road network. And once enlarged, the network must continue to be owned by the public.

And why do we say that? Because there are several roads that have been widened and could have added to the size of the network. The problem is, no sooner are the new or widened roads finished than they are immediately taken over by private entities. People who own cars but do not have garages park these cars on the street, thus constricting back to the original size the newly widened roads.

Aside from illegal parking on curbs, the streets and sidewalks are also being taken over by small entrepreneurs who do their business right there on the streets. On its face, this problem would have been no problem at all. Unfortunately, all city governments since anyone can remember are saddled by one common denominator -- an utter lack of political will.

As far back as anyone can remember, no city government under any administration has had the guts to clear the streets of illegal occupants, be they illegally parked cars or small businesses. And why is this? It is because these illegal obstructions number in their thousands. Translated into votes, they can make or unmake the political fortunes of whoever is in power.

And that is why it has become pointless to widen roads as a means to ease traffic. Widening roads and making them beautiful only create a more enticing reason for their swift takeover. And this bring us back to where we started, which is what is the city to do in light of such circumstances? Apparently, the city is doing nothing. Or if it is doing anything, it is putting all its marbles on a planned BRT project that not only does not solve the problem but can actually compound it.

The BRT is designed to eat up existing space at existing roads. Those who pushed the idea dwelt on its success elsewhere but did not consider the glaring fact that Cebu City is not elsewhere. That it succeeded in Curitiba does not guarantee its success here. What is needed are elevated skyways that people cannot just take over and occupy. Sure we do not have the money. But is that it? Should we not start looking instead of using the lack as an excuse not to do anything?