My daughter had an unexpected lesson in taking the public transportation the other day. While trying to avoid the monstrous traffic we encountered at EDSA on our own way to an event in the Ortigas area, I decided to go via the Manila route on our way home to the South. We rode the bus, the jeepney, the MRT, the LRT, and the tricycle. For me who has been used to taking the public transportation since I was young, it was just like any other day in Metro Manila. For my young daughter however whose regular route was basically home-school-home in the comforts of a private car, it was one experience she’ll remember for a long time.

public transportation

Entering Metro Manila

From our place in the Southern part of Luzon, taking the bus to Manila or Makati onwards is the most practical means of public commuting. Shuttle vans also ply the route but they are not as regular as the buses. Except when a bus is fully-packed and passengers are forced to stand the whole trip, the trip should be fairly comfortable. With the traffic that day where it took us merely 30 minutes to reach Magallanes and 2 hours and 30 minutes more to reach Ortigas, we were really getting nauseous.

We were actually looking for a taxi when we got off from the bus but of course there was none available. So we were forced to take the jeepney. It was a good thing that it wasn’t that far as my daughter appeared about to throw up as the jeepney was likewise packed. What can we expect during a payday that falls on a Friday when you are in the vicinity of Makati or Ortigas? My daughter found out the answer for herself.

Going Home

My daughter was able to recover quickly in the comforts of the movie house. I was very thankful that the event just required to us to sit back and enjoy watching a movie. The challenge was in going home.

We agreed that we did not like to go through EDSA again at least for that night. The aim was to reach the bus terminal in Buendia before the last trip to our place. For the first time, my daughter rode the MRT and the LRT. I saw that she was excited but tired so I tried to divert her attention by letting her say all the stations we passed by. When we reached the bus terminal, we lined up quietly with the rest until the conductor announced that it was the last trip. The passengers in line cannot even be accommodated by two buses.

Realities of Public Commuting

That announcement created some sort of panic and before the day closed, my daughter was introduced to a common reality of public commuting which is standing up for the whole trip while almost exchanging faces with the passengers beside us. Fortunately two passengers offered to squeeze in more tightly in their seats so my daughter can take the space. Still, it was really very uncomfortable.

My Say

One of the main reasons why I gave up working in Makati is the immense difficulty in commuting. As far as I can remember, I spent more time standing up in buses than sitting down during my trips going home. Before I resigned, I was already driving but even that proved extremely difficult and exhausting during rush hours.

In spite of the many years that have passed and the many infrastructure that has been added since then, the problems remain the same. Traffic, lack of efficient public transportation, and the risk of being victimized by criminal elements are still glaringly problematic. When my daughter asked me if that is the way it has always been commuting publicly in Metro Manila, I said pretty much. When I asked her if she will go with me again the next time, she said she’ll think about it. Then we both laughed loudly.