DRIVING THOUGHTS
Local government units (LGUs) can learn much from a pilot project on a public transportation system that serves short, but popular, routes that’s been ongoing in Pasay City and Santa Rosa City, Laguna. This is the Toyota Community Shuttle (TCS) project which uses technology to enable efficient public transportation. Passengers book their trips for the shuttle service which runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Pasay City and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Santa Rosa City, everyday, from one designated shuttle stop to another.
The ride can be booked through myTOYOTA Shuttle PH application. As of September 2024, the shuttle service has served some 100,000 riders in both cities. The best part of the system is that the rides are free, funded by Toyota Motor Philippines which developed the project as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program to celebrate its 35th anniversary.
Launched in December 2023, the program is preparing to wind down operations by the end of January 2025. That will leave a lot of passengers disappointed as it is not only the free rides that have made the TCS popular, it is mainly its efficiency and reliability. Most of its passengers, who are students and government employees, use the shuttle service because it is reliable – the shuttle is at the designated stop according to the indicated ETA in the app, considering actual traffic condition when the booking is made, and thus brings the passengers to their destinations as per expected time too. And, it is very convenient because the passenger can book the ride hours before, do other tasks, and not waste time waiting for a ride at the bus stop.
We knew of the program when we had the chance to sit with Cristina “Tini” Arevalo, president of Toyota Mobility, during “Beyond Zero,” another TMP event where the hydrogen-powered car was presented, and the benefits of this zero-emission fuel was explained.
Tini, who heads Toyota’s initiatives on efficient mobility for all, related how the free shuttle service has been making commuting easier for students in Santa Rosa City. She said the shuttles are fully-booked during the hours when students and government workers commute to work. Students who are adept in new technology with the use of their mobile phones find it easy to book a ride. And of course, since its free, they appreciate the savings too, she said.
The project partners were chosen because of their vision is aligned with Toyota’s global vision of providing easier, smarter and safer mobility to the community. The Santa Rosa LGU has “strong initiatives to transform into a “High-level Smart City” through innovation and digitalization; and the Pasay City LGU is “leading initiatives to transform into a “Sustainable Eco City,” with increased connectivity and mobility as one of its key focus areas,” the TCS project profile stated.
Twelve shuttles of the TCS run the routes in the two cities. There are eight pick-up points in Pasay City and 23 in Santa Rosa.
The shuttle service confirms the many studies that say technology can make many aspects of life easier, like commuting. More people have mobile gadgets and internet access. Public Wi-Fi is now available in many commercial and public areas.
Using an app to pre-book a ride provides an efficient system for public transportation. Time used for waiting for a ride can be used productively to do other tasks.
Shuttle service schedules can be set according to peak hours of passengers in an area. Crowding of vehicles at bus stops – which causes more carbon emissions – can be avoided as the shuttles will load waiting passengers who pre-booked their rides. So, traffic along the stop will not become a bottleneck, as is what’s usual today where jeepneys load and unload.
Technology is there to be used to make commuting easier and more efficient. After the roll out of the modern jeepney units, apps to pre-book rides can be incorporated into the public transportation system to further make it efficient, stress-free, and reduce carbon emissions of vehicles crawling in traffic.
Mobility is an important part of life. Every aspect of mobility should be studied to create better systems that will contribute to a healthy environment.
The Toyota pilot project shares many lessons to lead mobility for all.