Manila, the Philippines’ capital, ranked second in World’s Most Traffic Congested City out of 416 cities, said TomTom Traffic Index report on Wednesday.
TomTom Traffic Index reported the traffic situation in 416 cities in 57 countries. Bengaluru took the top spot this year with drivers in the southern Indian city expecting to spend an average of 71% extra travel time stuck in traffic. Next in the global rankings are Philippine capital, Manila (71%); Bogota in Colombia (68%); last year’s most congested city, Mumbai (65%); and Pune (59%), also in India; making up the top five most congested cities in the world.
The top five most congested cities in the US are Los Angeles (42%), New York (37%), San Francisco (36%), San Jose (33%), and Seattle (31%).
“We calculate the baseline per city by analyzing free-flow travel times of all vehicles on the entire road network—recorded 24/7, 365 days a year,” the company explained.
TomTom’s report also said that Filipino commuters lost 10 days and 17 hours in 2019 to rush hour traffic. It also showed 29 minutes is added in a 30-minute morning trip while 38 minutes is added in the evening.
Traffic congestion also exceeded 100 percent every 6 to 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday.
“Travelling after 7 p.m. on Friday could save you up to five hours per year (for a 30-minute commute),” TomTom added.
Manila ranked 2nd in World’s Most Traffic Congested City
In 2019, the worst rush hour in Manila was every 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, with congestion rising to 143 percent during this period.
Also, last year, medics warn that many patients die when their ambulance gets stuck in heavy traffic in Manila.
The traffic jam in Manila was so severe that special lanes for ambulances were not used. Local drivers also refuse to give way even if they see an emergency vehicle approaching.
Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said Cubao, Quezon City to Makati commute in 5 minutes is still possible this 2020 via Edsa or another route.
Villar also assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte could fulfill his promise to decongest Edsa.