MMDA, expert weigh in on Metro Manila traffic

CNN Philippines

A recent study says Metro Manila has the worst traffic among Metro areas in the world.  The Metro Manila Development Authority and some experts share their thoughts on the Metro's traffic problem.   Ej Gomez reports.   Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

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00:00 Metro Manila takes the top spot for having the worst traffic in the world.

00:06 This is according to transportation data firm Tomtom Traffic Index.

00:11 The report says in 2023, the average level time in Metro Manila is 25 minutes and 30 seconds for every 10 kilometers.

00:19 This gets worse during the Friday rush hours when it would take 35 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 10 kilometers.

00:26 But the MMDA isn't too sure about the report.

00:29 We don't know what methodology Tomtom employed to say that Metro Manila is number one.

00:40 Did they count? What is their basis?

00:43 We will not deny that there is traffic here in Metro Manila.

00:47 But we just want to know what is the reason why there is traffic in Metro Manila.

00:57 ARTES says there are now 3.6 million vehicles traversing a mere 5,000 kilometer road network in Metro Manila every day.

01:06 On EDSA alone, 400,000 vehicles pass through daily, 100,000 more than its carrying capacity.

01:13 Illegal structures, road repairs, illegal parking, and road accidents also cause heavy traffic.

01:20 We will work with the government to address this.

01:27 We also need the help of the government because we need discipline in the local government.

01:34 But according to urban planner Paolo Alcazarin,

01:37 The MMDA is powerless at this point because they are trying to address only the symptom which is traffic.

01:46 And they have limited ability to address the problem from a metropolitan context.

01:58 He says the government needs to invest on a comprehensive active transport system in the country.

02:04 The solution is to move away from car-centric transport to mass transit-based transportation system.

02:16 Additional active mobility or alternative transport system is the solution.

02:23 Urban planner Felino Jun Palafox, meanwhile, recommends that authorities implement congestion charging and establish roads parallel to EDSA.

02:33 Maybe your email can send it to you.

02:37 Like congestion charging, during heavy traffic, you pay to use the road.

02:43 RFID, you postpone unnecessary trips.

02:48 So you get out of the big hours, you don't want to pay.

02:52 And strongly suggests that government involve experts when it makes urban master plans.

02:58 They should listen to experts.

03:00 Urban planning decisions are sometimes decided by mayors, not urban planners.

03:08 Some, not all, decision makers in our part of the world have fixed mindset.

03:15 The progressive cities and countries in the world, they have growth mindset.

03:19 EJ Gomez, CNN Philippines.

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