Javi
How people experience the Philippine urban transportation system in 2030
Javi works as a Senior IT Manager for a foreign company that has offices in various parts of the city. They live in their family home in Antipolo with their wife of five years. They got married when congress finally legalized same-sex marriages.
Today is going to be a long day for Javi. They need to shuttle from one office to another. The company just assigned a new ex-pat financial officer to the country. Javi needs to prepare the teams before the manager arrives from abroad.
Javi can afford to buy a car, but they prefer to use public transportation. It’s cheaper and more efficient and gets them to the various offices faster. They take an e-jeep from a stop near their house to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Station five kilometers away. From there, they can choose BRT routes that can take them to Ortigas, Makati, BGC, or to Diliman. They have to meet with staff in the BGC office this morning, so they pick that route.
The BRT stop in BGC is within walking distance to the office, but Javi wants to save a little time today, so they hop on an e-bike or an e-scooter share at the station and get there via the network of protected bike lanes. The BRT fare comes with a free 1-hour use of the micro-mobility system, anyway.
Javi’s trip only takes a total of 40 minutes, including the short bike ride. The e-jeep and BRT are never congested, and their schedules are optimized and updated in real-time through the unified PH mobility network information system. The open data system means Javi has several options for apps. They can book a ticket or a bike share. They can see train, bus, e-jeep, and bike schedules and locations in real-time, all from any single app. The particular app they prefer gives Javi rewards at their favorite coffee shop based on the number of “miles” they log on the transport system.
After Javi’s BGC meetings, they also need to go to Ortigas and Diliman. The BRT offers convenience, but they could also take the light rail or the subway. There are many options, and all are just as efficient and never too crowded, even during peak hours.
Javi’s last meeting at Diliman is after 10 PM. They decide to take the MRT home. Although they aren’t so familiar with this particular station, they have no worries since the app on their phone and the information systems at the station are very helpful. Public transportation runs 24/7 and is always safe. They can always call for help through emergency call centers available everywhere. There are public assistance officers at the station, so they can ask someone for directions or for help.
Javi can even nap on the way. The app tells them when they’ve arrived at the right station. Along the way, the train plays messages about being courteous and respectful to neighbors and fellow commuters, no matter their age, sex, or gender identity.
-oOo-
