Elites love BRT, but real solution is Free Public Transport

rappler.com : "At the Rappler senatorial debate on Friday, April 15, the candidates highlighted the need to improve public transportation, with two bets – Valenzuela Representative Sherwin Gatchalian and former Akbayan party list representative Walden Bello – specifically citing the bus rapid transit (BRT) system."

BRT is a favorite right now, because it is cheaper than MRT. But the 2 percent who own cars take up 45 percent of the road. A more dramatic fix is needed. That fix is fare-free buses... and lots of them.

Filipino commuters suffer in a system that favors cars

rappler : "Rush hour or not, EDSA seems perpetually stuck in a state of congestion. Cars crawl along the 23.9-km highway and easily spend at least an hour in non-moving traffic. Commuters spill out onto the streets, fighting each other for standing-room space in crowded buses. Overhead, one of the metro’s train lines chug along dilapidated rails, carrying twice its maximum capacity. It’s considered a good day for commuters if the train doesn’t suffer yet another technical glitch."

Road-sharing campaign comes to ‘killer highway’ this Sunday

Inquirer News : "Citing the success of the “Bayanihan sa Daan” road-sharing event held on Roxas Boulevard last month, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will do a repeat on Sunday, this time on Commonwealth Avenue.

The agency on Thursday said the March 6 activity would cover the northbound lanes of Commonwealth, from Philcoa to Sandiganbayan in Quezon City."

Challenge for Cebu: Switching to public from private transport

Cebu Daily News: "National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Efren Carreon said that a mass transportation system is “very much needed” in the city.

“This will save road space, and more people can be accommodated,” he said. The use of a public transport system will hopefully get more private cars off the road."

Philippines hit by slow-moving storm, heavy flooding

The New York Times: "Floodwaters brought on by heavy rains from Typhoon Koppu in the Philippine city of Baguio, north of Manila. Credit Harley Palangchao/Reuters"

Philippines still heading wrong way, away from public transit to roads

The Straits Times: ""It's a vicious circle. Unless you have a better public transportation system, those who can afford it will continue buying cars."
...But the focus has been on building roads. President Benigno Aquino has signed off on projects to build eight roads and nine expressways.

Efficient public transport contributes to good health

Inquirer lifestyle: "THE WOEFUL inadequacy of public transport is not just a traffic problem because of the gridlocks that too many private vehicles cause, but is also a health issue. The commuters who waste time standing in line to squeeze into the MRT and LRT, buses and jeepneys are not just stressed, but are inhaling the toxic fumes, particularly carbon monoxide, that motor vehicles emit."