3 Cost Effective Ways to Solve Metro Manila's Traffic Problem

The Facebook page of ANC 24/7 is asking for its reader's suggestion on how to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem.

This got me thinking, "what is the best way to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem?" It's easy to make suggestions, what's hard is the implementation and the cost of implementation. So what is the the best way to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem and the most cost effective solution?

Punitive Fines

Add caption

First of all, any implementation will definitely cost money, a lot of money. The cause of the traffic mess is the people themselves so it's only right that those causing the traffic problem should be fined and the fine should hurt. That way, the fines will pay for the cost of enforcing the law.

The fines should start at P500 and goes up every week if you don't pay it within 15 days. To enforce this and prevent people from ignoring the fine. It will be tied to their driver's license or car registration. They cannot renew their driver's license or car registration until the fine is paid.

Driver Education

Driver education is the most important aspect in solving Metro Manila's traffic mess. Right now, getting a driver's license involves taking a written exam and an actual driving test. When I took my exam, there was no book or a brochure given to me to study about Philippine traffic rules and regulation. I was just given the exam papers and question booklet and told to answer it. 

I knew some rules from watching American TV so I was able to answer some of the question. But I didn't really need to know much because the exam booklet I was given had the answered circled in pencil. I had one mistake in the exam.

The next step is to take an actual driving test. I was led to an owner type jeep which is the driving test vehicle and the examiner was sitting there relaxing. I was going to drive it but the examiner told me to just give him P50 "pang kape" and he passed me. This was obviously a long time ago since they don't as for P50 anymore, I believe it's more like P200 to P500 now.

I think it's time we do a complete driver re-education

Clear the street

Photo courtesy of shankar s. and no modifications were done with the image

Clearing up the streets by removing old vehicles, clearing the sidewalks of vendors and obstructions like Barangay Halls, parked cars, squatters and extension of business establishments would open up the space for more usable roads. It would be best if the local government can give them a place they can legally sell. This helps clean up the streets and provide vendors a place to do business without being harassed by corrupt policemen.

Currently, sidewalk vendors block entire sidewalks which extends to the street where pedestrians are forced to walk along the road creating hazard and slows down motorist.

Add to this mess are private cars parked on the sidewalks and some sidewalks become extension of their home when they build their gate or their gardens.

I've also seen business put all their stocks on the sidewalks in front of their store effectively making the sidewalk unusable.

Clearing up the streets would probably add 5 to 10% more road capacity.

In Conclusion

These are just 3 cost effective ways to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem. There are other solutions like having better road signs, redesigning the traffic light system, eliminating the color coding scheme, phasing out jeepneys and tricycles, etc. But those solutions take more time and money to implement. The suggestions above can be quickly implemented and cost can be offset by fines and fees paid by motorists.

What are your suggestions for solving Metro Manila's traffic problem? Share them in the comments!



Did you like this post? If so, you may want to see what Manila use to look like in Manila - The Most Beautiful City in Asia 1950's to the mid 1970's.