Size Matters! The Private Vehicles Problem

Traffic congestion in Metro Manila has long been a source of frustration for commuters and drivers. While efforts to enforce traffic rules and regulations and traffic schemes attempt to address the traffic situation are implemented, there is one fundamental issue that trumps the situation regardless of any action taken: the sheer volume of vehicles on the road.

Every day, a mix of private cars, public transportation, and various vehicles compete for space on the city's already congested roadways. The result is a gridlock that affects everyone. Roads, by design, are intended to handle a specific volume of traffic to ensure smooth flow, but when that capacity is exceeded, congestion becomes inevitable.

Take EDSA, for example—one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city. According to data from a 2022 infographic by Pamela Ramos, EDSA was accommodating over 400,000 vehicles daily by October 2022. And this situation still persists today as reported by PhilStar. EDSA is only designed to handle a maximum of 300,000 vehicles, and yet, the numbers above is the reality. EDSA is overwhelmed and struggling to keep up with the growing number of vehicles.

A closer look at the distribution of vehicles on EDSA reveals a deeper issue. Private cars account for 53.8% of the total traffic, while public utility vehicles, which serve the majority of commuters, make up less than 10%. This disparity is problematic because private vehicles are an inefficient use of road space. Most private cars on EDSA are only carrying one or two passengers, despite having the capacity to transport more people.

Public buses in the EDSA Bus Carousel, in contrast, are far more efficient in transporting dozens of passengers and clearly at the public's better interest.

This is just in EDSA but in general, the consequence of this overreliance on private vehicles is clear: more vehicles on the road lead to more congestion, even though fewer people are being transported overall. If we could reduce the number of private vehicles and encourage greater use of public transportation, we would significantly ease the pressure on Metro Manila’s roads.

It is in the public's interest to make public transportation more reliable, accessible, and convenient for daily commuters. A shift towards public transit would bring the experience of traversing the city roads more delightful for everyone.

Size Matter!
The Private Vehicles Problem

Despite everything, the traffic problem in Metro Manila is not something that can be solved by a single initiative or solution. It is a multifaceted issue that requires the collective effort from both the government and the public, a part of the solution is tackling the overinflation of private vehicles and maximizing the efficiency of our public transportation system. Metro Manila’s roads are overburdened, but with a systematic approach and collective effort, we can make the Metropolitan Manila commute less stressful.

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