A newly-formed transport group urged political leaders to tone down on political squabbling and focus instead on improving the public transportation system in the country, particularly routes going to and from Metro Manila.

Isagani Bogabel, spokesperson of the Kilos Konsumer-Komyuter (KyumterPH), said a lot of time and efforts were wasted to action and counter-action between and among warring political leaders at the expense of millions of commuters who continue to suffer from worsening public transportation condition.

“We condemn the never-ending acts in the political theater while millions of ordinary people are suffering from the sloppy public transport system. It appears that they are prioritizing their own interest more than the interest of the Filipino people,” the group said in a statement.

KyumpterPH said political leaders should again focus on the daily suffering of the commuter wherein they have to wake up early to avoid being late, and later reach home tired and late due to worsening traffic conditions.

In a press briefing during its launching, the group said political leaders should join forces in resolving the worsening traffic condition, citing the P3.5 billion losses in the economy every day due to traffic jams.

KyumterPH also seeks for the proper implementation of the Public Transportation Modernization Program in order to deploy more units to ferry commuters, and a concrete support system to drivers and operators to ease their burden.

The group is also seeking for the government to add more teeth in the campaign against colorum vehicles.