Government officials, with their endless road repairs and ever-changing transportation policies, have somehow made it mathematically impossible for the average Filipino to avoid traffic. Pinoys spend as much as 1,000 hours a year on the road — that’s the equivalent of 41 full days wasted because of inefficient traffic management. Rush-hour commutes are draining, but for most people, it’s a part of the daily grind. Here are alternatives which could help make this carmageddon just a little bit more bearable. 

1. Try the P2P bus

With the P2P (point to point) bus system, a comfortable trip from Quezon City to Makati can only take around 40 minutes. This is possible because the buses follow a strict schedule, and they only make stops at fixed points. They’re prompt. They’re comfortable. And though they’re more expensive than regular buses, they’re still relatively cheap. Currently, there are only three available routes for the P2P buses: SM North to Glorietta 5; Trinoma to Park Square; and Megamall to Park Square. The buses leave the designated pick-up points every 30 minutes. Two new routes are now in the works: North Edsa to Makati City, and North Edsa to Megamall

2. Ride the UberHop

UberHop is just like your normal FX ride, but it’s much more efficient and a bit more expensive. How to hop? Request the route nearest to you, walk to the designated pick-up spot and ride your UberHop. You’ll most likely share your ride with four other passengers.As of now, the service is only available in BGC and in Makati, and only during rush hours of 6am-10pm and 4pm-9pm. 

3. Use GrabExpress!

You won’t ride a GrabExpress to avoid traffic, but you can use this service to avoid a potentially stressful trip. Need to deliver a parcel for business? Left an important document at home? Have a GrabExpress rider pick-up and deliver your stuff. GrabExpress currently has a flat rate of PHP80 for a packages less than 70cm. It may be availed through the Grab mobile app. 

4. Ride a bike

Those who choose to travel on two wheels hit two birds with one stone. Bikes are environmentally-friendly and they provide urban mobility. Bikers can avoid the stressful experience of getting stuck behind the wheel for hours, but they do have their share of road problems too. Cycling enthusiasts are now campaigning for more biker-friendly roads.