The dreaded EDSA Rehabilitation may have been postponed for the mean time, however, that doesn’t mean that we can rest easy about traffic. It continues to be a serious problem that will only get worse as time goes on. This is not limited to just those who use EDSA, but everyone within Metro Manila.

Some motorists say they refuse to give up their cars because of the inadequate public transportation system, poor road planning, or even lack of traffic control legislation.

Yet in the past couple of years, the government has made many strides to discourage private vehicle use. We now have more buses, modern PUVS operating alongside jeepneys, TNVS cars and motorcycles, and dedicated bike lanes (now made safer thanks to NCAP’s return). If in spite of all these improvements, few daily drivers have even bothered to consider giving up their cars, then perhaps we really are the problem.

As tempting as it is to blame the government, this is one problem we’ve all contributed to in some way. After all, our cars take up a substantial space on the road, made worse by the fact that most vehicles are only occupied by one or two passengers. Yet when you think about it, many of these vehicles are headed in the same directions, common destinations, and at particular times of the day.

Still, there’s been very little effort on our part to organize and consolidate our travels. Ask around at your office and you’ll likely find another co-worker that lives near you. It’s quite easy to figure out and organize a carpool. That will not only ease travel expenses, but also free up parking at the office. And if the employees cannot be bothered to organize one, is it really that difficult for a company to do so? Surely it’s still more cost-effective than simply surrendering productivity to traffic.

One brilliant example of a corporate mobility solution is from none other than Toyota Motor Philippines, the country’s number 1 passenger car brand. Called the Toyota Shuttle, this corporate initiative is a 100 percent free shuttle service for its employees. There are numerous Toyota shuttles ranging from the usual routes like from Quezon City, Pasig, Paranaque, and Muntinlupa to its offices in Makati. However, there’s even one for some of the longest routes, from Quezon City all the way to its factory in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Naturally, its busiest time is in the morning and at day’s end.

Employees can book their seat via an app. They simply have to be at the pickup point at the designated time. Of course, the shuttle also has an onboard marshal that decides when the shuttle cannot afford to wait for any tardy or missing passengers. The best thing about the shuttle is that it’s patronized by both rank and file as well as middle and upper management employees. Even some executives that can easily afford to bring a car to work prefer to take the Toyota Shuttle because of its sheer convenience.

One would think that Toyota, being an automaker, would want nothing more than to sell more vehicles, even to its employees. However, it’s certainly clear that even this company knows that selling more cars is not the answer. It’s certainly inspiring to see a company practice the very same thoughtful uses for mobility, be it private or shared, that it preaches.

Granted, organizing a shuttle service is easy for mobility companies like Toyota. It’s not something as simply or affordable for companies in other fields. Yet, this is something many companies can start little by little. Granted, it’s impossible to find a way to bring all of its employees to work, but finding out where the bulk of them live and organizing a solution can go a long way toward reducing traffic.

It’s time to take more proactive steps toward reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Let’s not wait for a traffic apocalypse like EDSA rehab or potentially ridiculous traffic schemes like odd-even days before we’re motivated to do so.

(Iñigo S. Roces is the Motoring Editor of Manila Bulletin)