DOTr asks for understanding as NCR lands near bottom of urban mobility index

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has asked for understanding after Metro Manila landed near the bottom of a global urban mobility ranking, saying that it is working on several projects to improve mobility and public transportation in the National Capital Region.

The 2022 Urban Mobility Readiness Index, compiled by the Oliver Wyman Forum and the University of California at Berkeley, ranked 60 global cities on: 

• public mobility infrastructure, taking into account metrics such as walkability, pedestrian-friendliness, cycling infrastructure, public transit accessibility, public transit station density, and road quality;
• social impact, including road safety, air quality, noise and light pollution, transit commute speed, and public transit affordability;
• market attractiveness, including diversity of public transit modes, public transit operating hours, and transit estimated time of arrival;
• system efficiency, including existence of master plan, public transit utilization, car ownership moderation, cycling adoption, share of time in public transit, and natural hazard preparedness; and
• innovation, including quality of human capital and electric market share in sales.

Metro Manila landed in 58th place, with only Nairobi and Lagos faring worse in the study.

In the Public Transport sub-index—calculated using some of the metrics above, including transit commute speed, public transit affordability, rail network, public transit station density, transit estimated time of arrival, and share of time in public transit—the Philippines was in 56th place.

The study noted that in the National Capital Region, "sustainable mobility is less of a priority and motorized vehicles are likely to remain the most common transit option."

'Ask for understanding'

Maki Pulido's report on 24 Oras on Monday noted that commuters, pedestrians, motorists and transport workers face long lines, crowding, heavy road congestion, transport malfunctions and other problems every day. The result, for many Filipinos, is a large chunk of their day and their energies devoted to traveling to and from work and school.

The DOTr said that it accepts the report's findings.

"We are addressing current commuter travails with permanent solutions," Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a statement. "I personally ask for the public's understanding to give us more time to complete our projects."

"We are fast-tracking various transport projects carried over from the past administration despite financial and bureaucratic challenges. We are redesigning the framework of undertaking transport projects though effects to the riding public may take time because we are looking long-term," he added.

Construction of the Metro Manila Subway is underway, with the country's first underground rail system expected to be completed by 2028 or 2029. — BM, GMA Integrated News