Of malls, trucks and traffic

Ben Contreras

PLAN your chores and activities, go out early or be an early bird because with the opening of the new SM mall, heavy traffic is anticipated in the city proper and other areas due to the so-called domino effect. Yes, it will and it has.

A friend already made a call twice in successive days cursing the heavens due to the enormous traffic it created. But that’s really understandable. Like the Ayala mall, the S&R and the like, people come in droves to see what’s new, nice, big and cold. SM Premier is no different.

If you plan to go there, be there early or don’t. Being caught in the traffic can be irritating. Besides, you lose a lot of gas and time, too.

Awhile ago, I was about to cross Luna St. from Capt. Vicente Roa. The long line on Ramon Chaves St. already gave me the hunch that traffic in the vicinities would be heavy. Indeed, I could see the long lines of vehicles in any street my eyes could see. It tells me to turn left and straight home.

Aha, even at the Maharlika Bridge, traffic is heavy. It took a while before we reach Save More in Kauswagan and do some groceries.

Early on, Joel Jacobo of Magnum Radio was on air talking about traffic and offered a solution about huge trucks making deliveries. He suggested that these vehicles make their thing at night.

This is perhaps one thing the business sector may consider. Expectedly, they would say, “That would result in additional operational costs.” I agree. But then, if we consider the gas lost while being caught in a traffic mess, the business and productivity loss due to wasted time, the equivalent monetary cost may just be more than the cost of overtime pay or night shift.

Deliveries of goods can be scheduled. It depends on how the truckers and business could come to a win-win compromise. I have experienced tailing a long line of heavy trucks moving at snail pace many times before. I tell you, you would have wished that your car could fly.

Imagine a normal trip that would take 10 minutes and because of traffic, you made it in one hour and a half. Imagine the engine running for one hour and 20 minutes more. How much gas has been wasted? How much work could have been accomplished in that lost time?

Whatever RTA is trying to do, let’s hold back our criticism in the meantime. It’s too early to judge whether what it is trying to do is correct or not. Perhaps, after one month or two, then we will know more or less if their traffic scheme is workable.

And by the way, RTA or the city government should get serious about ridding our streets of non-functional vehicles and any material that would narrow down our streets. Capt. Vicente Roa Street is one good example where traders of second-hand tires are unnecessarily occupying more than their allowed or legal boundaries.

While I understand about brotherhood among Eagles, it should not be used as an excuse for abuse. Mr. Oclarit knows this better.

Honestly, there is no need to rush. SM, S7R, Centrio, Robinson’s and what have you, they are all the same. You see one, you see all. Relax. Wait for the dust to settle down. Malling is only enjoyable when there is no time constraints.