Banning private cars: A piecemeal approach

Late last year, Mayor Tomas Osmeña pushed for a ban of private cars in certain areas in Cebu City. He is at it again recently. Consequently, debates among politicians ensued. In fact, to some extent, the debates have become somewhat unpalatable.

Among others, Mayor Tom stressed that a jeepney carries more passengers than a private car. Thus, drawing a conclusion that private cars utilize more road space per capita than jeepneys. On the other hand, Mayor Tom’s critics stressed that this is pure politicking.

Will politicking be probably true? Maybe. Remember, voting is the greatest equalizer. Whether one is rich or poor, well-schooled or illiterate, his vote is still counted as one. Therefore, in simple math, since Mayor Tom is impressing upon jeepney commuters that they are loved (and might win their votes) and they are greater in number than car owners, the votes will certainly tilt in his favor.

However, granting, for the sake of argument, that this concocted scheme is viable, let us scrutinize it a bit. For one, devoid of a systematic study, Mayor Tom’s claim that private cars cause traffic jams might be a bit flawed. Curiously, with the sheer number of jeepneys alone, the streets are already clogged. Factor in the hardheadedness of some drivers, traffic is moving at snail-pace. In the drivers’ race for more passengers to get the front seats, safety concerns have been left in the back seat. They don’t recognize designated jeepney stops. They load and unload passengers anywhere on the streets. More often, passengers had to squeeze themselves through a phalanx of vehicles to get to the sidewalk where they could be safer. They run and elude racing vehicles just to get a ride on jeepneys that are halting at the middle of the road. Not only that their safety is compromised, these have resulted to huge traffic jams too. Consequently, commuters are more often missing their appointments or are reporting to their work or classes very late.

On the other hand, since Mayor Tom will ban private cars on these roads, will taxis and Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) be banned too? Remember, these are exactly in the same mold and situation as private cars.

Admittedly, this proposed scheme is politically advantageous to Mayor Tom. However, banning private cars without giving alternatives to car owners and their families (especially those with children still in school) is downright outrageous. As of today, the scheme is simply to ban private cars in some areas. The question is, will there be rerouting so that they (parents/car owners) can still bring their kids safely to school? If there is, will this not create chokepoints and worsen instead our traffic condition? If none, then, what will they take? Taxi or TVNS? These are cars still. Therefore, these will still contribute to traffic congestion, as alleged.

Without offering other alternatives, then, we can surmise that Mayor Tom is simply telling car owners and their families to take jeepneys instead. Knowing that some jeepney drivers have obviously been conniving with pickpockets, then, these school children become easy preys.

Obviously, therefore, banning private cars in certain areas like the N. Bacalso Ave. is a piecemeal approach, so unsystematic. What we really need is a mass transport system. With a regulated mass transport system, safety concerns are well addressed since all transport personnel are paid in salaries and are not racing like hell to earn a living. Undeniably too, there are fewer drivers to discipline and can be better trained and strictly supervised. Discipline can also be instilled among commuters. They will certainly realize that unlike jeepneys that will pick them up anywhere as they wish, these buses or light trains will only load and unload passengers in bus stops or stations at a designated time.

The potential riders of these mass transport are car owners. Considering the traffic situation and the comfort these buses or light trains provide, they (car owners) might just opt to leave their cars in their garages than use them. Consequently, there shall be fewer cars running, thus, decongesting our roads.

Sadly, this can’t happen overnight. In the meantime, if it is really necessary to ban private cars from these areas, why not momentarily field safe and comfortable buses instead. We already have such buses (MyBus) in Cebu. If these buses shall be allowed, then these car owners and their families won’t feel helpless.

However, knowing fully well that these buses are reportedly owned partly by the SM Group, then it won’t augur well for Mayor Tom. Therefore, the Cebuanos must have to deal with it. Or, frustratingly, just simply learn to live with it.