DOTr vows ‘lasting solutions’ after Metro Manila gets ‘worst traffic’ title

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that Metro Manila taking the top ranking among areas with the worst traffic in the world poses a challenge for the agency to solve.

According to a statement of DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista on Friday, this was a challenge for the department to look for “creative and lasting solutions” to traffic.

Manila currently holds the “world’s worst traffic in metro area” title.

“The top ranking of Metro Manila in world traffic poses a challenge not just for DOTr but other agencies as well to be creative at finding lasting solutions to metro traffic,” the statement said.

The traffic index of the TomTom International BV, a location technology company, said that Metro Manila topped 387 cities worldwide which were ranked in terms of metro area traffic.

Average travel time for 10 kilometers in the metropolitan area would take 25 minutes and 30 seconds, the index said.

READ: MMDA questions tag on PH capital as worst in traffic

Bautista added that the department will expedite road projects to help alleviate traffic conditions.

“We will fast-track road projects while collaborating with appropriate agencies with the help of the private sector,” he added.