Manila, Philippines - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) underscored the critical role of major railway projects in mitigating the persistent traffic jams plaguing the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to Philippines News Agency, speaking at a forum in Intramuros organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) on Monday, enhanced public transport systems are expected to encourage private vehicle owners to switch to mass transit options, potentially reducing vehicular volume on the streets. He identified several projects as key to resolving the NCR's traffic woes: the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), Metro Manila Transit Line 7 (MRT-7), and upgrades and extensions of the current LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 lines.
'The effect on traffic will be significant when we start the MMSP [and other railway projects],' Bautista remarked. These initiatives are scheduled to begin partial operations in 2028 and 2029. Meanwhile, existing strategies like the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program and the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Busway are currently serving the immediate public transit needs.
Bautista noted the success of the PUV modernization efforts, citing the P2P buses utilizing the EDSA busway have cut down travel times by 45 minutes to an hour. The Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), a component of the PUVMP, is intended to reorganize and introduce new PUV routes for more efficient land transportation.
He further added that the LPTRP aims to optimize transportation routes in collaboration with local governments and that these services are provided at no cost.
In terms of railway improvements, the MRT-3 is looking to increase its fleet and decrease the waiting time for passengers by adding more trains to its daily operation. A proposal to upgrade from three-car to four-car train sets is also on the agenda, although station upgrades would be necessary to accommodate the longer trains.
The forum titled 'Powering the Economy Through Infrastructure Development' also featured insights from Developers of Renewal Energy for Advancement Inc. president Atty. Jay Layug and Philippine Institute for Development Studies research fellow Dr. Kris Francisco, focusing on the country’s infrastructure challenges and growth opportunities.