Transport groups form council to help decongest traffic in Metro Manila

MANILA—Transport leaders have created the Metro Manila Transport Consultative Council (MMTCC) that will propose measures to improve the flow of traffic in Metro Manila, for approval of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) consisting of 17 mayors across the metropolis.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Thomas Orbos stated that representatives of transport groups agreed to form the MMTCC during a recent consultative meeting on the proposed modified odd-even scheme.

Orbos said the council will help the government craft measures to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila and would ensure regular consultations with the transport sector.

“We want to get a broad sentiment of the stakeholders and the general public with these consultations,” Orbos said in a statement.

The MMTCC will be composed of transport leaders, commuters’ safety advocate, motorcycle riders’ organizations, public utility vehicles operators (jeepneys, city and provincial buses, taxis), representatives of the MMDA, Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. University of the Philippines Prof. Clarita Carlos will act as the council’s facilitator.

The MMDA has deferred the implementation of the modified odd-even scheme after it was not approved by the MMC, which instead directed the agency to consult various stockholders on the scheme and make the necessary revisions based on their inputs.