NO ONE can predict what the true rush hours are nowadays, as the Christmas season is very much in the air—and yes, even on the streets.
If you think going out for a one-hour drive to your lunch meeting at 11 a.m. is easy, think again. Not once, but twice. Chances are you might get caught in monstrous traffic at that time without any warning, even though you’ve taken a similar route many times before.
Finding a parking spot is another challenge that could take you an hour, if you’re unlucky. Malls are now filling up much earlier, despite their changing opening hours by an hour or two.
Getting to your appointment on time has become a real test of one’s patience and character these days. The easiest solution is to grab a taxi or use one of the many ride-hailing apps that have sprouted up across the metro. However, be prepared for the high costs of these rides, especially if you’re crisscrossing the city every day. They can really add up to a significant amount over time.
This is the main reason why people, particularly those without cars or motorcycles, are urging the government to provide decent means of transportation—railways, trams, buses, and even interconnected walkways linking important buildings and facilities within municipalities or cities. The elevated walkway in Makati, which connects EDSA and Makati Avenue, serves as a good example for many local governments to emulate. People are willing to walk for miles if there are proper walkways leading from their offices to bus or MRT stations—spacious, free from vehicular interference, clean, well-paved, and with adequate overhead cover.
The public has long suffered on the streets. It’s about time that local government units (LGUs), or even the MMDA (is it still operational?), come up with solutions to help them out.
