Let’s admit it. Public transportation in Metro Manila, and in the country in general, needs to be improved, which some may consider a total understatement. Not taking into consideration the problems with mass rail transportation (looking at you, Line 3), we are all too familiar the sight of people hanging by the entry rear of the jeepney, especially during rush hour, or the packed buses where passengers don’t have any space to wiggle.
Then there is also the problem of pollution some of these vehicles emit thanks to poor fuel consumption, vehicles visibly suffering wear and tear but are still plying the roads. All these things compound the already very, very bad traffic situation in the metropolis.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has long been aware of these problems. And the Urban Roamer has to give them credit to them for finding ways to address those specific matters. The results of these studies is the department’s public transport modernization program, a program that is at least as ambitious as the “Build, Build, Build” program.
