Metro traffic will cost 6B in losses a day in 2030

Sen. Paolo Benigno ‘’Bam’’ Aquino IV warned yesterday that economic losses due to heavy traffic in Metro Manila would increase by about 150 percent – from the current 2.4 billion a day to 6 billion a day in 2030 – if current traffic problems are not addressed immediately.

The increasing population growth, unrestricted volume of vehicles plying the streets, and failure to widen traffic-choked streets, among others, have been identified as the problems that would cause the heavier burden of traffic woes in the metropolis.

A major factor that contributes to the worsening traffic condition is the significant population increase in Metro Manila which now stands at 16.5 million.

In an attempt to solve this problem, Aquino has filed a resolution seeking a review of the existing ‘’Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development “to formulate effective strategies and solutions to address the negative economic impact of the worsening traffic conditions in Metro Manila.

Aquino is chairman of the Senate trade, commerce and entrepreneurship committee, and youth committees.

“Commuters as well as private vehicle owners suffer the monstrous and extremely costly traffic every day in Metro Manila,” Aquino explained in his Senate Resolution No. 1532 seeking the review of government transport plans.

He cited a study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) entitled “Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas.’’

The lower-income households would be the hardest hit when congestion worsens by 2030 as they would spend no less than 20 percent of their monthly household income for transport, Aquino said citing a preliminary analysis of the study.

“Without intervention, traffic demand will likely increase by 13 percent in 2030, and transport cost will be 2.5 percent higher,” he said.

The study was conducted in coordination with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other relevant agencies.

The roadmap was approved on Sept. 2, 2014 by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board.

Aquino said relevant government agencies and local government units must contribute to the crafting to an effective planning strategies and traffic management systems in order to improve traffic conditions in Metro Manila.

“The MMDA cannot solve the worsening traffic condition alone. The DPWH, Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulating Board (LTFRB), and the private sector must also do their share in solving the dilemma,” he explained.