NIGHT OWL
In many developed cities around the world, an efficient public transport system is an integral component of urban planning. It is essential to creating inclusive, sustainable, and nature-friendly communities.
But when there is a choice between public transportation and personal vehicles, what can be done to encourage more citizens to choose mass transit?
In Hong Kong, citizens generally prefer to ride public transport. Based on the 2023 Urban Mobility Readiness (UMR) Index, Hong Kong has one of the highest public transit ridership levels globally—71 percent of all distance traveled within the city. It is continuously improving its transit system, including the connectivity of the city’s different regions.
Moreover, parking is very expensive in Hong Kong, which adds to the preference of public transport over personal vehicles.
Meanwhile in Zurich, which ranked second in the UMR sub-index for public transport, stations are located almost always within easy walking distance.
Reliability of public transport
Improving the reliability of public transport will make it more attractive to citizens. When there is enough capacity for the riding public and travel time is predictable, people will choose trains and buses rather than drive their own cars and spend more on fuel and parking spaces.
Singapore’s world-class public transit system is known for its affordable fares, fast commute times, accessible stations, and diverse selection of modes. It aims to further improve accessibility to stations with an expanded rail network that would connect 80 percent of households to within 10 minutes of a station by 2030.
In London, they have an efficient and affordable public transit system that includes the Underground metro, light and heavy rail, tram, and buses. In certain instances, rail passengers can even receive a refund for delayed trains.
Access to public transport
According to the United Nations, only half of global urban population has convenient access to public transportation. It measures access as the share of the population within 500 metres walking distance of low-capacity transport systems (such as buses and trams) and 1,000 metres distance to high-capacity systems (like trains, subways and ferries).
While public transport increases citizens’ access to services and opportunities, the public transport system itself should be accessible to the people.
This entails integration of formal and informal transport networks. For instance, in Metro Manila, it is common to ride tricycles or pedicabs to ferry passengers from villages to main public transport stations.
Improve pedestrian routes, ensuring that they are safe and sufficiently lighted. Make foot bridges more accessible. Enhance bikeways and install more secure bike racks near train and bus stations.
In Budapest, they developed micromobility hubs to convert car users into public transport passengers. They improved micromobility options by expanding their public bike sharing scheme, and integrating it with public transport.
Accessibility should also be universal, making sure that everyone regardless of age, gender, ability, and income status can conveniently ride their public transport of choice.
Metro Manila experience
The advantage of taking public transportation, especially along EDSA in Metro Manila, is gradually being appreciated.
With the improved management in the EDSA Carousel—an integrated busway system spanning the length of the MRT Line 3 that serves the commuting public along the major thoroughfare of Metro Manila—even private vehicle owners are seeing the convenience of riding the bus instead of enduring traffic in their own car. The dedicated bus lane has also made travel time more predictable.
Hopefully, with the continuous enhancement of the busway system, together with improvements in our railway system, such as the MRT-3, and major projects like the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North–South Commuter Railway, more private vehicle owners will be encouraged to choose public transportation.