Less than 1-hour commute soon

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revamping Metro Manila’s public transportation system to reduce daily commute times to not more than one hour.

In the episode of the BBM podcast aired on Friday, the President emphasized that improving public transportation is a key strategy to combating the chronic traffic congestion and enhancing the quality of life for millions of commuters.

“Usually, in planning, the commute — going to work and coming home — should not exceed one hour one way. That’s the goal,” Marcos said.

According to the President, Metro Manila’s traffic woes are primarily driven by the lack of reliable public transportation, which has forced many residents to rely on private vehicles, further worsening the congestion.

“We’ve seen the examples around the world. In places where traffic has gotten out of hand, it’s because people have no public transport — no buses, no trains, no subways,” he pointed out.

Marcos said the government is focused on expanding and modernizing the public transit system, including adding new infrastructure and upgrades to existing lines.

One key move, he said, is the rehabilitation and deployment of the long-idle Dalian trains on the MRT-3 line.

The Chinese-made trains, acquired nearly a decade ago but left unused due to compatibility issues, have been modified for local conditions and are finally being put to use.

“The rehabilitation of the Dalian cars, which hadn’t been used for a very long time since they were purchased, they’re already 10 years old. It’s only now that they’re finally being utilized,” Marcos said, adding that the trains would boost passenger capacity and reduce crowding during peak hours.