Public transport in the Provinces : a study of innovation, diffusion and conflict in the Philippines

Abstract

The completion of Manila's light rapid transit line in 1985 marked the arrival of modern rail transit in Southeast Asian cities. Largely inspired by foreign-assisted studies that have recommended mass transit as one solution to urban transport problems, the Manila Metrorail is similar to rail-based rapid transit facilities that have been built in many Third World countries since the mid-1960s. Policies promoting mass transit have inevitably created a conflict with intermediate forms of public transport, whose role is being displaced by large buses and rail modes. Repercussions of this conflict are reflected in changing levels of human mobility, opportunity for employment, economic stability and standard of living. As the practice of conducting large-scale transport studies has spread from capital cities to provincial areas of Third World countries, policies emulating those in the main urban centres have followed . Since the late 1970s, several transport studies have promoted the extension of rail rapid transit to provincial areas, and the Philippines are no exception . In testing the implication that existing public transport is inadequate, the public trans port industry of Cebu province is examined in detail . This approach is valuable in foreshadowing future developments for provincial areas in general . As this is not the first but the second wave of mass transit promotion, a review of both periods, extending from 1850 to 1985, is an essential prerequisite. The first wave involved railway and electric tramway construction throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America , promoted by expatriate colonial governments and foreign commercial interests. In most cases the main beneficiaries were Western contractors, financiers and opera tors , who earned a handsome profit , oblivious to the conflict with traditional values that was evident from the outset . Railways and trams uprooted cultures and lifestyles, and attempted to outperform casualties in the process. The arrival of small buses and motorcars marked the decline of mass transit's first wave, and World War II dealt the final blow to many rail systems. The dearth of public transport in most parts of the Third World after the war led to a resurgence of intermediate modes, in the form of non-motorised vehicles and adaptation of motorcar technology to create locally improvised public transport vehicles. The widespread adoption of such intermediate modes represents the basis for the modern conflict with mass transit's second wave. The Philippines are a good example of the effect of modernisation on public transport in developing countries. Analysis of the public transport industry in Cebu province reveals that service is of a high standard, consisting of five complementary modes. Because of their flexibility, operations are sensitive to shifts in demand, and fares are tailored to the ability of users to pay. The industry is owned and operated entirely by private enterprise. Due to its profitable nature, it makes few demands on public resources, contributing to government revenue through a variety of federal taxes. Ownership is scattered throughout the province among local residents. The public transport industry employs a large number of individuals, directly supporting the livelihood of close to lU per cent of the provincial population. Given the adequacy of existing public transport, factors other than official arguments of traffic congestion, air pollution , labour productivity and energy conservation must be involved. Indeed , foreign consultants, contractors and manufacturers are interested in expanding their markets for transport-related products and services. These efforts are supported by international financing, matching local government aspirations to gain political prestige and exert a stronger control over the transport industry. Show more