A Call for a Freeze Order

The increasing number of private vehicles has always been linked to traffic congestion in the city. As a resolution, the government encourages private vehicle owners to resort to public transportation. To average private vehicle owners, it is indubitably more economical to commute as parking and gasoline expenses would really hitch a bunch of their salaries. However, considering the current situation of the public transport system in the city, satisfaction seems to be not guaranteed. To regular commuters, dealing with the poor public transport system aggravated by traffic congestion has been their everyday battle.

There is no question as to the regulation of public transport vehicles in aspects of franchise, licenses and fees. But the government has seemingly focused on these requirements alone for operations of public transport vehicles. Banking on the need to provide more transport services for the commuting public, applications for franchise are actually favored. The transport industry is lucrative that even private vehicle owners are enticed, thus, the emergence of transport network vehicles such as Uber and GrabCar. Adding to the classification of transport vehicles is the bus rapid transit recently launched by the government dedicated to provide quality ride. Ironically, grabbing a seat on a public vehicle is still a battle- you force yourself in or wait for hours in line.

 In truth, the city has a lot of public transport vehicles enough for the commuting public that the quantity has been the problem in itself. Roads have become congested that we see five lanes of vehicles in just three lanes of highway. A supposed to be one hour of one way travel has tripled. Obviously, the roads are not quite up for the number of vehicles travelling every day. Road widening is impossible but a freeze on public transport vehicle applications could be a way, at least. The government should regulate not only the application but operations of public transport vehicles. This is not to violate their rights but public interest so requires.