Volume of vehicles in NCR excessive, says MMDA chief

The volume of vehicles in the National Capital Region's roads is excessive already, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Friday.

In a radio interview, MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said that in 2021 alone there were around 300,000 additional vehicles in the country, up to 70% of which are traversing Metro Manila.

“Sobra na po ang volume ng vehicles sa ating Kamaynilaan. Last year alone, 300,000 po ang nadagdag na vehicles sa buong Pilipinas at 60% to 70% po nyan ay pumapasok po sa Metro Manila,” he said.

(The volume of vehicles in Metro Manila is already excessive. Last year alone, 300,000 vehicles were added in the entire country and 60% to 70% of that are entering Metro Manila.)

Artes added that concerned agencies and stakeholders who attended the recently conducted Traffic Summit agreed that the vehicles in NCR should be reduced or spread out throughout the day.

“Lahat din naman po nag-a-agree na kailangan magbawas ng bilang ng sasakyan sa kalsada or at least i-spread out all throughout the day,” he said.

(Everyone agrees that the volume of vehicles on the road needs to be reduced or at least spread out all throughout the day.)

Meanwhile, Artes said the EDSA Bus Carousel program of the government cuts the end-to-end travel time for commuters to one hour and 30 minutes at maximum.

He said the end-to-end travel time on EDSA was previously recorded around two to three hours. —LBG, GMA News