OCT 5, 2015

NR # 3978B

Immediate implementation of Bus Rapid Transit

along MM major streets pushed
A lawmaker has called on Congress to look into the possible implementation of the Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT) along the major thoroughfares in Metro Manila to help address the worsening traffic
congestion in the metropolis.
In House Resolution 2399, Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian (1st District, Valenzuela City) said the
increasing economic losses and irreversible environmental hazards due to traffic are constant issues that
hound the commuting public.
He stressed the need for the government to effectively institute solutions that can provide
meaningful reform in the transport industry.
Gatchalian said the current modes of public transport are erratic, inefficient and provide lowquality service.
They mostly defy the quality of fast travel, reliability, safety and convenience, hence, the
propensity to use private vehicles instead which increases the volume of traffic flow in the streets, he
said.
According to him, the implementation of the BRTs will increase economic productivity, secure
environmental sustainability, and promote the morale and welfare of the millions of Metro Manila
commuters who depend on public transportation on a daily basis.
The BRTs are expected to utilize right-of-way lanes, promote efficient boarding and alighting of
passengers, institute pre-board fare collection and high-quality buses which shall attract more urban
dwellers to commute via public transport, the Valenzuela City solon said.
Gatchalian said 63 BRTs have been in operation as of 2006 and that 93 more are planned
worldwide.
He further said that the operations of BRTs have already been proven effective in the cities of
Mexico, Bogota, Jakarta, and India.
Gatchalian said the Cebu BRT, which is expected to operate by year 2017, is supported financially
and technically by the World Bank through its Clean Technology Fund.
The National Government is also supporting the project financially as President Aquino has
placed it among his top 16-Public-Private Partnership projects to pursue, he said.
Gatchalian said the House Committee on Transportation and the Metro Manila Development
Authority should look into the immediate implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit along the major
thoroughfares in Metro Manila to relieve traffic congestion of streets.
BRTs in Metro Manila will allow faster and more efficient mass public travel and improved
traffic flow as it is expected to reduce private car use because of the availability of an efficient
alternative, Gatchalian said. (30) mvip