NIGHT OWL

One of the common complaints of working Filipinos, especially those in the cities, is the amount of time they spend going to work and back to their homes. 

Whether they have their own cars or taking public transportation, it is hard to predict the amount of time it will take for them to reach their destination. But, at least, for private vehicle owners, they can use mobile apps that predict travel time and provide route options.

However, as we move toward sustainable transportation, we need to improve and promote mass transportation. Improving the efficiency and predictability of public transportation is vital in maximizing the productivity of citizens and enhancing the quality of life.

For instance, knowing when a bus arrives can save precious time. Instead of waiting for 15-30 minutes on a bus stop, that could have been used for savoring breakfast, catching up on unread messages, extra time for conversations, and many others.

In most developed cities, buses and trains have scheduled arrivals on each stop so you know when you need to be on the station. This has been further improved through the use of technology, such as mobile apps that allow you to monitor schedules real-time.

In Singapore, several mobile apps help monitor bus arrivals. There’s one that also provides information about bus routes, delayed or diverted services, and schedule changes. There’s another that helps users navigate the public transport network by finding bus stops and metro stations, saving favorite routes, and customizing push alerts for delays.

In London, there are also a number of applications that help track real-time arrival schedules for buses, tubes, trams, river boats, and cable cars by streaming data from the Transport For London (TFL) data API stream. There’s also an app that helps users plan their bus journeys by showing bus times, route changes, and journey length.

Tokyo’s train systems are among the busiest in the world, they are also punctual and fast. To make train rides more comfortable especially if you’re not in a rush, there is a smartphone app that provides real-time information not just on train schedules but also on congestion levels for train lines and stations. So, if you don’t want to stand should-to-shoulder with other passengers, you can opt for the next train or so. 

Here in the Philippines, bus and train schedules are unpredictable. Jeepneys, which are very common public transportation option, do not also follow a schedule and passengers need to look closely on the windshield or side markings of the jeep to ensure that they are riding on the correct route.

While there are point-to-point buses, which follow a schedule, it’s not enough to accommodate majority of the commuters. 

It is really a must that in improving mass transportation, particularly in very busy and highly congested urban areas, reliability should also be a priority. There should be enough routes, frequency, and capacity to meet the demand and serve different areas and destinations. 

Ensuring the predictability of public transportation will also encourage more people to take buses, trains, and jeepneys, especially if they become more reliable and efficient than driving their own cars.