In Metro Manila, commuters are facing big challenges trying to get taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab, especially as Christmas gets closer. Heavy traffic is becoming worse, with busy areas like EDSA and Cubao getting clogged with cars. This makes it harder for people to get around.
On Sunday, GMA’s news team noticed the traffic congestion, especially in areas near malls, which often get crowded during the holiday season. Taxi drivers are refusing passengers in some cases because they don’t want to deal with the traffic and high fuel costs. One driver explained that even though traffic is bad and gas prices are high, they’re not making much money from long trips. The government recently raised the flag-down taxi rate to P50, but drivers say it’s still not enough to cover their expenses.
Commuters are also struggling to book rides. Many are finding that it’s hard to get a taxi or a TNVS ride, especially during rush hour when everyone is trying to get a ride at the same time. Some people have shared their frustration, saying that it’s hard to book because all the cars are already taken.
Traffic is expected to get even worse in December. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) predicts that there will be 500,000 cars on EDSA daily, up from the usual 421,000. To help with this, the MMDA has sent staff to manage traffic around malls. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has also promised to have more personnel on the roads to handle the busy season.
