EDITORIAL - An attitude that has to change

During a recent meeting between city officials and transport groups, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system’s efficiency depends heavily on public discipline, particularly adherence to designated bus stops.

This is because commuters who want to use the BRT have to learn to wait in designated bus stops, a far cry from what they are used to with Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) that usually stop anywhere for them.

“Yes, naay lagyo nga laktan but I think this is something we need to understand nga disiplina lang ta nga maglakaw kaysa ma sakripisyo ang daghan kay’g tao because of the traffic,” he said.

At least for those who want to use the BRT, the sooner we adapt to walking to and waiting at bus stops, the better.

The truth is many of us cannot be bothered to adhere to using only loading/unloading areas. That goes for both PUJ drivers and commuters.

And it’s completely understandable why. The PUJ driver has to earn money, so he can’t afford not to stop for commuters wherever they happen to flag him down, even in no-stopping zones. On the other hand, the commuter has to get to where he or she is going as soon as possible and cannot wait anymore to get to the designated loading/unloading area which can be far away.

Sometimes the commuter can also not be bothered to get off at the next loading/unloading area, not when his or her destination is nearer, never mind if it’s in a no-stopping zone.

It’s a system that has worked for the longest time to the benefit of both the driver and the passenger. But the downside is that PUJ drivers stopping anywhere and commuters flagging vehicles anywhere creates traffic in very busy areas.

But this attitude has to change with the BRT. Commuters also don’t have a choice. With BRT buses assigned to the inner lane of the street, it’s not like they would be able to stop anywhere anyway.