Life of a Commuter: A Cycle

UPS AND DOWNS

Life of a Commuter: A Cycle

Opinion

August 31, 2019

By Princess Jade A. Flores

Photo credits to JES AZNAR/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

Traffic isn’t new to us anymore. We’re trying to overcome it as commuters every single day of our lives. Eventually, we got used to it and got tired of it. Who wouldn’t? I’m also thinking if only I can afford to buy a private car, why not buy?!

Traffic congestion is a condition on transport that as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. When traffic demand is great enough, that the interaction between vehicles slows the speed of the traffic stream, this results in some congestion. While congestion is a possibility for any mode of transportation, this article will focus on automobile congestion on public roads.

Traffic research still cannot fully predict under which conditions a "traffic jam" (as opposed to heavy, but smoothly flowing traffic) may suddenly occur. It has been found that individual incidents (such as accidents or even a single car braking heavily in a previously smooth flow) may cause ripple effects (a cascading failure) which then spread out and create a sustained traffic jam when, otherwise, normal flow might have continued for some time longer.

Commuters have long lamented about their long commute that has affected their work, family life, and personal well-being. Lawmakers keep on insisting tons of laws yet don’t put it into work. The laws are said to lighten our heavy burdens regarding heavy traffic.

It affects not only the people who are experiencing it but also the businesses, for example perishable goods that needs to be transferred from one place to another. It delays the goods and stresses the people who are working both sides. It causes stress in general.

Traffic congestion has a number of negative effects:

Wasting time of motorists and passengers ("opportunity cost"). As a non-productive activity for most people, congestion reduces regional economic health.
Delays, which may result in late arrival for employment, meetings, and education, resulting in lost business, disciplinary action or other personal losses.
Inability to forecast travel time accurately, leading to drivers allocating more time to travel "just in case", and less time on productive activities.
Wasted fuel increasing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions owing to increased idling, acceleration and braking.
Wear and tear on vehicles as a result of idling in traffic and frequent acceleration and braking, leading to more frequent repairs and replacements.
Stressed and frustrated motorists, encouraging road rage and reduced health of motorists
Emergencies: blocked traffic may interfere with the passage of emergency vehicles traveling to their destinations where they are urgently needed.
Spillover effect from congested main arteries to secondary roads and side streets as alternative routes are attempted ('rat running'), which may affect neighborhood amenity and real estate prices.
Higher chance of collisions due to tight spacing and constant stopping-and-going.

How long does a commuter need to travel just to get in time to his destination? Mostly my travel times takes 30 minutes to one hour on a regular day basis (from Mandaluyong to PUP Manila) riding in a jeep. But maybe using LRT or MRT would only take 10 minutes or so. Sadly, there’s no near LRT or MRT near our area. I had to go to Boni MRT just to reach my 7:30a.m. class but that wouldn’t be possible because there’s no MRT station in Pureza.

I had to endure the heavy traffic from Kalentong to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital or sometimes up until Don Bosco College. Even if I go out at 6:30a.m., I’d still be late especially if jeepneys are fully loaded with passengers. Even if I cry thousands of rivers, still I won’t be able to come on time. And that’s my struggle for every single day of my life.

How I wish I can come to school on time with no hassles but it’s only possible if there’s a holiday or suspension of classes. Sometimes, I’m thinking if I can start to rent a bed spacer so I won’t be late for my 7:30a.m. class. But for sure, my mom won’t let me.

According to a survey by Waze, traffic congestion in Metro Manila is called the "worst" in the world, after Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Jakarta. It is worsened by violations of traffic laws, like illegal parking, loading and unloading, beating the red light, and wrong-way driving. Traffic congestion in Metro Manila is caused by the large number of registered vehicles, lack of roads, and overpopulation, especially on Manila, Pateros and Caloocan. Traffic caused losses of ₱137,500,000,000 on the economy in 2011, and unbuilt roads and railway projects also causes worsening congestion. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) feared that daily economic losses will reach Php 6,000,000,000 by 2030 if traffic congestion cannot be controlled. Philippines where people are mostly Christians, during every Sunday where people will constantly take the holy Sabbath Day and it is inevitable to control the pedestrians after the Mass and it will greatly cause heavy traffic especially on small streets in the downtown area.

Of course I perfectly know that it’s not all about me. But I do have the same sentiments just like the other students and working class. We have the same adjustments. Whether we wake up early or late, it’ll affect us negatively.

At the end of the day, we only get stressed and repeat every single step tomorrow. Until there is no concrete and solid plan for the commuters and public roads, we’ll continue to experience hell on earth. Traffic congestion shouldn’t be an additional problem as we face difficulties in our everyday lives. We hope that the government addresses this issue right away to think of a convenient and SMART plan on how to control traffic here in the Philippines.

No one has to feel down because of traffic congestion. If heavy traffic can’t be abolished right away, we’re willing to wait. Just assure us that the government will do their best in lessening the struggles that we face not only on the road but in our everyday lives.