Motoring Today Column

Mar 09, 2022

The National Capital Region (NCR) is now under Alert Level 1. What will this mean for public transport?

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), it has anticipated public transportation to operate anew at 100 percent capacity with the downgrade to Alert Level 1.

With more demand for public transportation as the economy further reopens, the DOTr has prepared measures to ensure this is met while still following the guidance and mandates of the IATF, according to DOTr Secretary Art Tugade.

In his presentation before President Duterte and Cabinet members, Tugade outlined "road-based transport programs and projects to address the heightened need for public transportation as more businesses are allowed to operate at full capacity."

Tugade said "an additional 71 routes with 8,729 public utility vehicle (PUV) units are set to be opened before March 15, 2022 to augment the current 1,514 routes with 118,238 operating units in the NCR.

Meanwhile, the Service Contracting Program will continue to be implemented using the P7-Billion funding allowed for it under the 2022 General Appropriations Act, he added.

The SCP was first implemented to subsidize transport operators and drivers under capacity restrictions. Later the SCP was used for the Libreng Sakay program for medical frontliners and other APORs.

The SCP will continue along with the Libreng Sakay program, Tugade indicated.

Also to continue is the EDSA Busway which he says has increased the mobility of commuters by significantly reducing travel time between Monumento in Caloocan City and Pasay City to just 40 to 50 minutes.

The DOTr will continue to support active transport by adding more bike lanes even as it has completed more than 500 kilometers of bike lanes in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, said Tugade.

Tugade also clarified that for intrazonal and interzonal travels involving public land transportation between an area with a higher alert level classification and an area under Alert Level 1, "the passenger capacity will be that which has the lower passenger capacity rate between the point of origin and point of destination."

Promising Everest

The Next-Generation Ford Everest has made its global debut.

And Ford execs made what we could take as promises in describing the new Everest.

One promise is that the All-New Everest will be for people "who like adventure, recreation and being able to go out with family and friends."

"Whether they're conquering sand, rocks or city life, these customers appreciate the utility, capability and spaciousness of an SUV," said Ian Foston, chief platform engineer for Everest .

Another promise is that even with a strong and rugged exterior design, the interior will be a sanctuary.

"One of the first things you'll notice when you get into a new Everest is how quiet it is," said Max Wolff, design director for China and Ford's International Markets Group.

"The interior would be a quiet place in which you can easily talk to your family or friends and enjoy the journey together," Wolff promised.

Another promise relates to safety.

Stefan Seemann, driver assistance technology engineer for Ford International Markets Group , said: "Our team was focused on one goal - to make this Everest the safest we've ever created."

"From a more robust structure and chassis to new and innovative safety technologies, next-gen Everest is equipped to help reduce stress behind the wheel and help keep drivers focused on the road ahead," Seemann said.

During the global reveal, Ford presented three grades of the next-gen Everest-Sport, Titanium+ and a new flagship grade, Platinum.

Ford also revealed several choices for engines to be made available in various markets that include the new 3.0L turbodiesel V6, theSingle-Turbo and theBi-Turbo 2.0 inline four-cylinder diesels and a 2.3-liter EcoBoost petrol engine.

When the Next-Gen Ford Everest arrives in the country, will it deliver on these promises? And canFord Philippines promise that the next-gen Everest Platinum that will arrive on local shores with the new 3-liter turbodiesel powertrain.

Xpander Teasers

Mitsubishi dealers are now accepting reservations for the New Xpander , even though Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) says it won't arrive until a couple of months later.

MMPC offers a number of teasers to get some to reserve units of the New Xpander ahead of its official arrival in the country.

The refreshed exterior of the incoming Xpander will have new signature T-Shape head and tail lights, redesigned horizontal front bumper, and larger 17-inch wheels and side sills.

The interior will exhibit a more robust SUV taste with the adoption of Mitsubishi's Design Identity of Horizontal Axis in the dashboard, soft padding accents, and 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Utility and drivability have also been enhances, enabling a flatter and more comfortable ride due to the addition of high performance valves in the front and rear suspension while still keeping its best-in-class ground clearance of 225 mm.

Happy Motoring!!!

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