Public Transportation and Intermodal Terminals

[ikra]

i really dont fancy these types of transportation, yes, heritage is there, our culture... etc.... but is it really practical?? i think not.... if youve been to other countries you would know why im saying this. Its because the accessibility of such public transports are poor. I mean, a guy on a wheelchair cannot easily step on a jeepney, or a mother who has a her child on a push chair, etc etc.... jeeponeys are so cramped and getting in is already a big hassle to itself.

[Sinjin P.]

^ Well said.

[Sinjin P.]

^ I think the flagdown is P30 nationwide (correct me if I am wrong)

[bustero]

R& E and another company are both fighting over the first 1400 Avanza Toyota taxis it seems. The new models unlike in Jakarta will not have a 3rd row but instead will have 2 rows and a large space at the back. abangan this month for the launch.

[WawaY[625]]

sana wag ma phase out ang non-aircon taxis ng davao... it would be too expensive for the riding public kung A/C lahat ng taxi dito, i took an a/c taxi kanina and from jacks ridge to our house, it cost me 120 pesos..(eh mga 60 lang yun sa non-aircon..i remember paying more than P200 din from our place to Karls Coffee..MAHAL..Davao si too wide for A/C taxis..hehe..

[FlowFlow]

Originally Posted by sinjin

Some taxis in Cebu are already giving out receipts.

wow.. okei yung ganyang sistema a! *applauds*

[IAMME]

True...
Regarding tricycles, I think they should be phased out little by little. They're extremely noisy and emit a lot of pollution. They're also dangerous especially when 12 people cram into (and on top of) them. However, we have hundreds of thousands of them and some cities employ them as their primary mode of transportation. If we cannot drastically re-engineer the tricycle to something more efficient, I recommend an eventual phase-out. Would ten years be enough time?

[ikra]

10 years is more than enough given that we start acting today nothings impossible...

[stephencua]

haha.. good luck in getting them phased out.. you know the second people hear that the unions and the drivers would immediately decry that they are being persecuted and that you are taking away their only source of living.. geez.. they'll be around forever..

[Sinjin P.]

Originally Posted by IAMME

True...
Regarding tricycles, I think they should be phased out little by little. They're extremely noisy and emit a lot of pollution. They're also dangerous especially when 12 people cram into (and on top of) them. However, we have hundreds of thousands of them and some cities employ them as their primary mode of transportation. If we cannot drastically re-engineer the tricycle to something more efficient, I recommend an eventual phase-out. Would ten years be enough time?

Well tricycles and pedicabs dominate our city streets I don't know why the government doesn't regulate the franchises of these, as a result, unhired pedicabs and tricycles park on the streets!

Anyway, how are the airconditioned jeepneys? Are they plying the streets already?

[marites4]

tricycles jeepneys need to be phased out. bikes need to have their own lanes. We lose alot of money from the traffic and pollution created by tricycles. We need to have a more orderly regulated form of public transport in the inner streets. Like a minibus with a schedule and people just wait on designated zones. Have you tried driving behind tricycles and jeepneys it's like a million of them. A ten minute drive can take you an hour . The money we'll save on increased productivity will more than negate the loss of income of these trike drivers. Really, how much do they make anyways. They cannot move up the economic ladder being trike drivers. And jollibee should be fined for having everything in plastic, styrofoam , there are 80 million people using everything in plastic styrofoam if we don't ban these products now , we will all be buried in plastic filth. It's a shame no one is spearheading a campaign to slowly phase out these products when they're banned already in other countries. THat's a sign of another poor leadership and unabashed apathy toward the environment and future of this nation.

[habagatcentral1]

In Gensan, its Trike republic and people find it convenient-even if Gensan is a major city, it is still their primary mode of transpo. Same as Kalibo, Roxas, Digos, Tacurong, Pagadian so on and so forth. Also, in CDO, they have the "motorella".

But one "motorbike-mode of transportation dominates the rural Philippines, especially Vizminda...."habal-habal", and I've heard its also making its way in Metro Manila where MMDA is having a hard time stopping it.

Reality check, there are tricycles in other parts of Asia, although different. Trikes cannot be removed very quickly, or within this case a decade. Phasing this out especially cities heavily dependent on trikes and rural areas is very very difficult unless the government and the private sector would find an alternative to it. A more feasible way of phasing them out is to prevent them from getting into major thoroughfares of a major city or even the highway if possible.

I don't know if the Miag-ao (Iloilo) drivers would replace their trikes with multicabs since they find it (and I find it) more expensive to maintain than having a trike.

In Manila, you may phase it out or in other major urban areas but for small cities and provincial towns, this is impossible as of this decade or so.

But for now, the best possible way with regards to road safety is to impose ordinances limiting the number of passengers per vehicle.

And as for habal-habal, if there is no choice then kindly ask manong driver to be carefull with driving.

[ikra]

Originally Posted by stephencua

haha.. good luck in getting them phased out.. you know the second people hear that the unions and the drivers would immediately decry that they are being persecuted and that you are taking away their only source of living.. geez.. they'll be around forever..

come on... forever?? do you seriously want them to be there forever?? its easy to give jobs to the the drivers, careful planning and restructuring programs would give them jobs... and waiting for the right time when our economy has improved. I dont get it why people are so pessimistic to such ideas, when we clearly need to change a lot of things. Maybe all our government heads have a mind like you which always thinks "so be it since we cannot change that". I have heard numerous of times even a hundred from foreigners that the public transport in the philippines was like hell and never would they use one again.

Disorganised transportation causes massive problems... traffic jams, congestion, pollution, disorganization, safety hazard, to name a few. Although I do think that it doesnt happen overnight, but over a number of years. The sooner we do something about it the better. A good public transport can fuel investment and development.

I think we should start reforming our public transportation. Jeepneys in the city are causing so much congestion and traffic. I also think they are very inconvenient and not practical. I think the local goverment should create a public transport sector which would handle all things related to such, i.e. controlling a major part of the public transport system while at the same time allowing and managing private transport companies.

The main reason for this i think is because of its practicality where disabled people cannot easily ride on jeepneys, think about those people who are in wheelchairs, blind people, the disabled.. i think the rights of such people in this country is so downgraded that we dont even think about them anymore as to how we can improve their lives. Even for a normal person, a full jeppney is a tough task to get on to. Other than that, jeepneys seem to stop everywhere as long as there are passengers. Not only do we see empty jeepneys most of the time since its causing a very fierce competition but at the same time doesnt look very pleasing to the eye.

A well organised public transport is also a key to attracting investments and development within the city. My proposal are the use of low floor buses which eases the boarding of both disabled and normal passengers. Designated bus stops around the city, each bus stop should have a well sized shed and appropriate seating. A bus stop should be able to handle different lines that goes through it. And a transport path that is more efficient without the need for more buses. Buses offers more seating thus lesser vehicles on the road and thus lesser congestion and traffic. Another thing is that we should also change the payment system i think. We should be able to choose between one ride ticket or a full day ticket. Ie. one ride ticket costs 6 pesos(is that the fare now?) and a full day ticket would be 15pesos, but this ticket would allow you to ride "limitless" for one day on the public transports (thats why i am talking about letting the local government run the wholse system so that the whole public transport system is under their hands and thus a full day ticket would apply to all the public transport managed by the government.) Imagine the advantages it has for students who have to travel four times each day and paying a total of 24 pesos just to get to school (again correct me if I am wrong with the current fare price)





both pictures shows a lot of things. Not only does it offer easy access for disabled people or things of the sort, it is practical and it looks good. The designated bus stops also looks good rather than the jeepneys stopping wherever they want. This should ensure discipline and organisation within the community. Yes I dont envision this to happen overnight but rather slowly, maybe a period of several years. And of course using the current drivers as the employess, and implementing 8 hour shifts and reasonable wage. I think this is not impossible...

I really hope to address this to the local government. can anybody do that? (imagine, we would be the first in mindanao or even in teh philippines to have a very organised mode of transport) Its great to do this while the city is still starting to develop again before this problem would increase over time as the city becomes bigeer. Its easier to change it at this point in time... so i think its very important that we do someting about this asap. I know buses are expensive, but over a long period of time i know its going to be a worthwile investment.

[OtAkAw]

You know people, unless the country develops into first world status, jeepneys, pedicabs and tricycles will be around. They really reflect the economy of the country, they are made of cheap, substandard materials like crappy aluminum and low-quality steel, plastic and rubber. Painful truth, how much we own controls how good our output would be.

[marites4]

We will not attain a developed status unless they're phased out. OUr public transport system is so chaotic . jeepneys taxis tricycles weave in and out of roads ,avoiding them causes traffic. It doesn't help that the private vehicles are the same inmpatient crazydriver maniacs. THey all need a major driving lesson overhaul. traffic loses so much money, tourists and investors are always put off by our traffic. We lose so much time being stuck in traffic how can you lure tourists in Metro Manila? In the countryside maybe they're acceptable but in a city like metro manila , they need to be banned. In other developing countries they use mini buses inside inner streets with scheduled pick up and designated zones. It's all about helter skelter disorganization. Everything is chaos disorganized. Just where I live there are like a billion tricycles. And traffic lights how much does it really costs to get good sets of traffic lights and really enforce their usage. So much traffic is caused by intersections and cars zigzagging in every direction possible. We cause alot of our own problems which can easily be solved . MMDA has made improvements but not enough so much more can be done.

[DoggMann]

I agree, our govt. should make a study and address this issue inline with the govt. vision for the Philippines to be a haven for retirees... imagine those old folks taking jeepneys to tour around manila, having too many different cards when transferring from one mrt to another, carrying cash to pay for their fares... (sigh) ... i just cant imagine what might happen, a smorgasborgh day for criminals ... sigh

The eventual transition for us to be a Cashless Society should be one of the main consideration when planning things, imagine carrying just one debit card with our name and identification on it, to travel around, buy things, pay taxes, pay our bills, for LTO BIR SSS ... it will definitely curb down corruption and crime and organize everyone.... (sigh) maybe in a hundred years...

[marites4]

A simple trip to the store can be a tiring whole day ordeal because of the unnecessary traffic created by undisciplined drivers. add to that the slow cashiers who have to bag your tiny item then fold it then write down the serial number everything is so redundant and inefficient turtle pace. the store employees have to be increased their salaries. mr Sy is making so much money just by parking alone. What store charges parking when youre already buying their products? And the prices at the store are world class at par with prices at developed countries so I think it's only fair that the store workers make world class salaries too. It's sad that their labor is paid so cheaply but products at the store are so expensive. Is it no wonder that pinoys only have enough money to buy food and nothing left for descent housing? It's not right . Mr Sy and other mall owners should compensate these people since most of the money sent by OFWs are being spent in their mall enriching them to world class dollar billionaire status.

[Lili]

Is there anyone who knows if the government has a comprehensive public transportation plan with a long range goal of 5 to 10 years?

I think it is important that this plan (if there is one) should balance the interests of all parties involved --- one that will serve the needs of the commuting public, address the economics of the transportation trade and the people reliant on it such as the stakeholders, the drivers, the workers, those that will be displaced by the new transportation scheme and also consider the concerns revolving around urban planning, the environment, as well as culture, particularly, the historic and symbolic value of the Philippine jeepney.

We did mention before that the jeepney routes can be assigned to certain areas only and that main thoroughfares should be rid of jeepneys and pedicabs because it has been an endemic traffic problem that these modes of transportation have become inefficient and quite hazardous in main and busy thoroughfares because by their very nature, these vehicles weave in and out of traffic to let passengers on and off.

However, some are a bit hesitant to phase out the jeepneys for sentimental reasons. The "look" of the colorful jeepney has so much become part of the culture of the Pinoy. Is it any wonder that the jeepneys have been featured in Amazing Race, in beauty pageants, when Brooke Shields visited the Philippines during the height of her fame and in virtually most of the international movies where Philippines was the venue? The miniature jeepney sculpture is one of the more favorite souvenirs by tourists and visitors to the Philippines. Hence, we should not be too condescending of the humble jeepney that rose as a main form of transportation from scraps of GI jeeps left by the Americans after WW II. It is a testament to the Filipinos' ingenuity, creativity and resilency.

Perhaps, a compromise for their gradual phase-out in main thoroughfares is to design the exteriors of the mini-buses or buses to look like the pimped out jeepneys. Well, yes, it may look tacky at first but these can add vibrance and life to the greying concrete jungle of Metro Manila.

Oh by the way, when I went to Universal Studios Orlando, they had an ice cream / refreshment booth there that was clearly a Philippine jeepney. I got to find the picture though. It made me proud seeing the Philippine symbolism there being featured in an international tourist destination.

So, we need not lose this patented symbolic look. It's already part and parcel of what is Filipino. And as Filipinos, we can be flexible and creative in finding ways to preserve this symbol and also address the need for an efficient, coordinated and affordable public transportation system.

Some pictures that I took during my visit in Manila last year:

[ProblemSolver]

Originally Posted by ikra

come on... forever?? do you seriously want them to be there forever?? its easy to give jobs to the the drivers, careful planning and restructuring programs would give them jobs... and waiting for the right time when our economy has improved. I dont get it why people are so pessimistic to such ideas, when we clearly need to change a lot of things. Maybe all our government heads have a mind like you which always thinks "so be it since we cannot change that". I have heard numerous of times even a hundred from foreigners that the public transport in the philippines was like hell and never would they use one again.

Disorganised transportation causes massive problems... traffic jams, congestion, pollution, disorganization, safety hazard, to name a few. Although I do think that it doesnt happen overnight, but over a number of years. The sooner we do something about it the better. A good public transport can fuel investment and development.

I think we should start reforming our public transportation. Jeepneys in the city are causing so much congestion and traffic. I also think they are very inconvenient and not practical. I think the local goverment should create a public transport sector which would handle all things related to such, i.e. controlling a major part of the public transport system while at the same time allowing and managing private transport companies.

The main reason for this i think is because of its practicality where disabled people cannot easily ride on jeepneys, think about those people who are in wheelchairs, blind people, the disabled.. i think the rights of such people in this country is so downgraded that we dont even think about them anymore as to how we can improve their lives. Even for a normal person, a full jeppney is a tough task to get on to. Other than that, jeepneys seem to stop everywhere as long as there are passengers. Not only do we see empty jeepneys most of the time since its causing a very fierce competition but at the same time doesnt look very pleasing to the eye.

A well organised public transport is also a key to attracting investments and development within the city. My proposal are the use of low floor buses which eases the boarding of both disabled and normal passengers. Designated bus stops around the city, each bus stop should have a well sized shed and appropriate seating. A bus stop should be able to handle different lines that goes through it. And a transport path that is more efficient without the need for more buses. Buses offers more seating thus lesser vehicles on the road and thus lesser congestion and traffic. Another thing is that we should also change the payment system i think. We should be able to choose between one ride ticket or a full day ticket. Ie. one ride ticket costs 6 pesos(is that the fare now?) and a full day ticket would be 15pesos, but this ticket would allow you to ride "limitless" for one day on the public transports (thats why i am talking about letting the local government run the wholse system so that the whole public transport system is under their hands and thus a full day ticket would apply to all the public transport managed by the government.) Imagine the advantages it has for students who have to travel four times each day and paying a total of 24 pesos just to get to school (again correct me if I am wrong with the current fare price)





both pictures shows a lot of things. Not only does it offer easy access for disabled people or things of the sort, it is practical and it looks good. The designated bus stops also looks good rather than the jeepneys stopping wherever they want. This should ensure discipline and organisation within the community. Yes I dont envision this to happen overnight but rather slowly, maybe a period of several years. And of course using the current drivers as the employess, and implementing 8 hour shifts and reasonable wage. I think this is not impossible...

I really hope to address this to the local government. can anybody do that? (imagine, we would be the first in mindanao or even in teh philippines to have a very organised mode of transport) Its great to do this while the city is still starting to develop again before this problem would increase over time as the city becomes bigeer. Its easier to change it at this point in time... so i think its very important that we do someting about this asap. I know buses are expensive, but over a long period of time i know its going to be a worthwile investment.

Electric Drive Vehicles

These are part of broad projects that are going to be in place with specific deployment to start in the Davao Regions once the cost of energy is brought down and its access is widespread from the city to far flung boondocks.

Your proposals are very informative and provide an input as to areas in which all Filipinos living in the Philippines and abroad can make contributions.

With multicooperative setup that currently are in process, projects will encroach the EDV Technology and its deployment. And with soon to be availability of low cost electricity per kw-hr output (the one that ordinary wage earner of P250/day will be willing to pay 2% out - this relieves him for savings in his budget as oppose to current 30% of his P250/day cost of kw-hr electricity output), these electric drive propulsion systems applied to buses, private vehicles, atv, scooters should provide ample mobility for residents and individuals in those areas. We'll provide membership to jeepney and tricycle drivers to the multicooperative so that their income transition from driver to manufacturing employment will be greater and will offset income for the latter's prior livelihood. The buyers will be local, provincial and national governments aside from those individuals who can afford them. The cost per kilometer should be a fraction compared to current, expensive internal combustion engine and its gas consumption.

If you are interested in how you may contribute to this multicooperative specific to the designs and manufacturing of electric drives technology to the deployment of these for local, provincial, and national governments, feel free to PM me and I'll place you in the list for potential supporters for these multicooperatives. Invite along many of your kababayans that there will be locally built electric drive transport systems to be implemented soon in Davao regions and encourage them to look at to these upcoming technologies.

[Sinjin P.]

Originally Posted by marites4

A simple trip to the store can be a tiring whole day ordeal because of the unnecessary traffic created by undisciplined drivers. add to that the slow cashiers who have to bag your tiny item then fold it then write down the serial number everything is so redundant and inefficient turtle pace. the store employees have to be increased their salaries. mr Sy is making so much money just by parking alone. What store charges parking when youre already buying their products? And the prices at the store are world class at par with prices at developed countries so I think it's only fair that the store workers make world class salaries too. It's sad that their labor is paid so cheaply but products at the store are so expensive. Is it no wonder that pinoys only have enough money to buy food and nothing left for descent housing? It's not right . Mr Sy and other mall owners should compensate these people since most of the money sent by OFWs are being spent in their mall enriching them to world class dollar billionaire status.

I think Mr. Sy's malls (SM) all have free parking slots. (Correct me if I am wrong)