Authorities on Monday will launch a pilot of an express bus rapid system in Metro Manila, making business groups hopeful that the new scheme will alleviate woes of commuters, who make up the backbone of Metro Manila’s work force.
“If the system works, the business community will be happy because its human resource will spend less unproductive time being stuck in traffic and will have more productive time on the job,” Henry J. Schumacher, executive director of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), said in a text message on Sunday.

In 2014, a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said that the cost of traffic in Metro Manila reaches P2.4 billion daily in terms of productivity losses. By 2030, it is expected to balloon to P6 billion a day if left unaddressed.

“Metro Manila’s bus system is years behind Malaysia, Thailand and others. Reforms such as the express bus project are urgent to unsnarl traffic and improve the commuting experience of office workers,” John D. Forbes, senior adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said in a text message.

“Efficient transportation improves productivity of people who have more time for work and family,” he added.

Although supportive of the scheme, MBC President Peter V. Perfecto said that the transportation program should only be a part of a more encompassing government program to end commuter woes.

“We need a more comprehensive response to the traffic problem, We hope that this is part of a more long-term plan rather than just another reactive measure,” Mr. Perfecto said in a text message. “If it can help alleviate the problem then this is a welcome of course, but a comprehensive, long term plan is needed.”

For its part, a commuter welfare group said that it is open to all options, adding that alternatives to the dismal commuting conditions in Metro Manila is beset not only by horrible traffic conditions on the roads but also by worsening mass rail transit systems.

“We are open to all options... We would like to see that the human resource of our country, which is our primary resource, be given better [travel] options and importance,” National Council for Commuter Protection President Elvira Y. Medina said in a phone interview.

MIXED REACTIONS FROM BUS DRIVERS
Meanwhile, the launch of the new express bus service has drawn mixed reactions from the drivers of regular buses, with some fearing that the scheme will reduce their passengers, and hence, their take-home pay.

“Siguradong maaapektuhan yan kasi mamimili yung mga pasahero, mamimili ng mas mabilis yung biyahe nila kaysa sa amin na lahat ng bus stop dadaanan. Siguradong apektado kami. (We will surely be affected because passengers will pick buses with fewer stops than those that stop on all stations),” Jose C. Bilbao, who has been driving for local liner Cher Transport Service for ten years, told BusinessWorld in an interview.

But Mel E. Bayani, who has been a bus driver for Metro Link Bus Liner for 18 years, disagrees.

Mr. Bayani, who gets P500 per day, is not worried about the new scheme, believing that the express buses will have no market edge over the regular buses plying EDSA.

“Hindi naman siguro [maapektuhan yung kita] kasi yung takbo naman nila eh yun din naman... Ang magkakaiba lang eh yung ruta (I don’t think our earnings will be affected too much because these buses will run at the same speed as we do. The only difference is the routes),” Mr. Bayani said.

The express bus service system, which is expected to benefit around 25,000 bus riders everyday, is scheduled for a one-month test period. Fifty buses from around 10 bus operators will participate in the program according to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Board Member Antonio Ariel Inton, Jr.

He added that the buses were selected in terms of bus specifications, with transport officials only allowing those that are 2010 models and up, and that are air-conditioned and have onboard Wi-Fi and close circuit television.

“If this will be successful and we see the riding public shifting from using private vehicle to riding public buses, then [we will get more buses],” Mr. Inton concluded. 

Source: Business World Online