If you're planning to travel around Metro Manila, brace yourself for some serious delays. A recent study has shed light on just how sluggish travel can be in the bustling Philippine capital and compared it with 387 other cities worldwide. Spoiler alert: it's not good news.
According to the 2023 Traffic Index by TomTom Traffic, a transportation data company, Metro Manila clinched the title for the slowest travel time among all metro areas surveyed. This isn't a one-time thing either; the city's travel time situation has deteriorated further compared to the previous year.
Need to cover just 10 kilometers? Well, be prepared to spend more than 20 minutes behind the wheel. That's right, a journey as short as 10 kilometers can eat up over 20 precious minutes of your time in Metro Manila.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://api.easyrock.com.ph/v1/media/display?bucket=static.easyrock.com.ph&amp;key=attachments/2024/2/lWX1ZgdfTO83ioCgGwWbX.jpeg" alt="" width="700" height="445" /> Photo: imoney
In 2023, the average time it took to cover 10 kilometers in the capital increased by a noticeable 50 seconds. That may not sound like much, but it adds up when you're stuck in traffic. On the worst days, such as December 15, it could take you a whopping 31 minutes and 50 seconds to cover the same distance.
And it's not just the outskirts that suffer; even getting around the city center is a test of patience. The average travel time for 10 kilometers in the heart of Manila clocks in at around 27 minutes and 20 seconds. Rush hour? Be prepared to tack on an extra 4 days and 9 hours per year just for driving around the city center during peak times.
Quezon Avenue takes the crown as the busiest street in Metro Manila, with traffic congestion adding to the woes of commuters and travelers alike.
So, if you're planning a trip to Metro Manila, make sure to account for the slow travel times and plan accordingly. After all, patience is key when navigating the world's slowest travel destination.