Article by Manila Times
As a traveler for over 30 years, I have witnessed significant improvements in travel infrastructures and experiences in the last two decades. Traveling was not easy before. You had to rely on travel books and maps to learn more about your destinations. Hotel bookings were made through telephone calls, and down payments were made via bank transfers. Driving to your destination was quite a hassle. Many roads were narrow and often congested with traffic. Expressways were limited, and finding restrooms and meal stops was always a challenge.
There are many things we now enjoy when traveling that did not exist 20 years ago. To celebrate Fast Times 15th Anniversary, here are 15 of those improvements that make road travels nowadays more fun:
Philippine road network expansion. According to a 2023 report from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippines now boasts a road network totaling 34,352.4 kilometers, composed of primary, secondary and tertiary roads, with 99 percent paved roads. Paved roads are made of concrete and asphalt, while unpaved roads are made of gravel and earth. It is now easier and faster to drive around the country.
Electric vehicles. Compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) produce no exhaust emissions, have superior energy conversion efficiency, and are quieter and more responsive. In 2023, nearly one-fifth of global car sales were EVs. The Philippines has implemented several incentive packages as an initial step toward the targeted total shift to full EVs by 2050.
More skyways and expressways. In 2004, traveling to Baguio from the south meant driving through EDSA traffic before reaching the North Luzon Expressway, then exiting from Dau, and driving through the towns of Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan before starting the climb to Baguio from Rosario. Normal driving time then was 7 to 8 hours. Nowadays, with the Skyway and the addition of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, driving from the south to Baguio takes 5 hours or less.
Virtual maps. In the old days, a physical map was necessary to navigate. It did not provide information on traffic conditions along the route. Today, we cannot navigate without using apps like Waze or Google Maps, which give the shortest route and real-time traffic conditions.
E-passes and RFIDs. Previously, going through toll gates meant falling in line and paying in cash. Since 2023, cashless toll payments using e-passes and radio frequency identification have become the norm on expressways.
In-car entertainment system. Listening to the radio or playing music via cassette tapes or CDs was the only way to get entertainment on the road. Nowadays, we have Spotify, live streaming and even 5.1 surround movies onboard to keep us and our passengers entertained.
Clean restrooms. Previously, finding a clean restroom was a challenge. Today, almost all expressways have fuel stations with clean restrooms for necessary pit stops.
Philippine Highway Numbering System. Ever wondered what the "N1" or "N501" you see on the road means? It's part of the Philippine Highway Act of 1953, or Republic Act 917, and a series of memorandums issued by the DPWH between 2009 and 2014. Highways numbered from N1 to N11 are the main routes or priority corridors.
Nautical highways. Launched in 2003, the Philippine Nautical Highway System is an integrated network of highways and roll-on, roll-off ferry routes that connect the major islands of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Online travel agencies. Finding a place to stay after driving for hours was difficult. Fortunately, online travel agencies like Agoda, Airbnb and Booking.com now allow you to find the best-priced hotels at your destination and make instant bookings online.
Meal stops. Fast food chains and convenience stores have replaced traditional restaurants and carinderia for meal stops. They are now practically everywhere, serving quick, affordable meals.
Mobile phone cameras. Previously, a digital camera was the only way to record travels. Now, mobile phones with advanced camera features allow anyone to take good travel photos and instantly post them on social media.
As a traveler for over 30 years, I have witnessed significant improvements in travel infrastructures and experiences in the last two decades. Traveling was not easy before. You had to rely on travel books and maps to learn more about your destinations. Hotel bookings were made through telephone calls, and down payments were made via bank transfers. Driving to your destination was quite a hassle. Many roads were narrow and often congested with traffic. Expressways were limited, and finding restrooms and meal stops was always a challenge.
There are many things we now enjoy when traveling that did not exist 20 years ago. To celebrate Fast Times 15th Anniversary, here are 15 of those improvements that make road travels nowadays more fun:
Philippine road network expansion. According to a 2023 report from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippines now boasts a road network totaling 34,352.4 kilometers, composed of primary, secondary and tertiary roads, with 99 percent paved roads. Paved roads are made of concrete and asphalt, while unpaved roads are made of gravel and earth. It is now easier and faster to drive around the country.
Electric vehicles. Compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) produce no exhaust emissions, have superior energy conversion efficiency, and are quieter and more responsive. In 2023, nearly one-fifth of global car sales were EVs. The Philippines has implemented several incentive packages as an initial step toward the targeted total shift to full EVs by 2050.
More skyways and expressways. In 2004, traveling to Baguio from the south meant driving through EDSA traffic before reaching the North Luzon Expressway, then exiting from Dau, and driving through the towns of Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan before starting the climb to Baguio from Rosario. Normal driving time then was 7 to 8 hours. Nowadays, with the Skyway and the addition of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, driving from the south to Baguio takes 5 hours or less.
Virtual maps. In the old days, a physical map was necessary to navigate. It did not provide information on traffic conditions along the route. Today, we cannot navigate without using apps like Waze or Google Maps, which give the shortest route and real-time traffic conditions.
E-passes and RFIDs. Previously, going through toll gates meant falling in line and paying in cash. Since 2023, cashless toll payments using e-passes and radio frequency identification have become the norm on expressways.
In-car entertainment system. Listening to the radio or playing music via cassette tapes or CDs was the only way to get entertainment on the road. Nowadays, we have Spotify, live streaming and even 5.1 surround movies onboard to keep us and our passengers entertained.
Clean restrooms. Previously, finding a clean restroom was a challenge. Today, almost all expressways have fuel stations with clean restrooms for necessary pit stops.
Philippine Highway Numbering System. Ever wondered what the "N1" or "N501" you see on the road means? It's part of the Philippine Highway Act of 1953, or Republic Act 917, and a series of memorandums issued by the DPWH between 2009 and 2014. Highways numbered from N1 to N11 are the main routes or priority corridors.
Nautical highways. Launched in 2003, the Philippine Nautical Highway System is an integrated network of highways and roll-on, roll-off ferry routes that connect the major islands of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Online travel agencies. Finding a place to stay after driving for hours was difficult. Fortunately, online travel agencies like Agoda, Airbnb and Booking.com now allow you to find the best-priced hotels at your destination and make instant bookings online.
Meal stops. Fast food chains and convenience stores have replaced traditional restaurants and carinderia for meal stops. They are now practically everywhere, serving quick, affordable meals.
Mobile phone cameras. Previously, a digital camera was the only way to record travels. Now, mobile phones with advanced camera features allow anyone to take good travel photos and instantly post them on social media.