Happy new year! I't's the start of a new year, which means (I'm assuming) you are planning your next vacation in the Philippines. I'm sure you're frantically googling how to commute around. But before I let you run in our great jungle, you need to know the kinds of animals that rule the streets. Allow me to give you a run down:
JEEPNEY
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What is it?
Jeepneys are 16 to 24 seater,
non-airconditioned PUVs. These are originally made from recycled Jeeps which
are left by American troops during the World War.
Who’s it
for?
Commuters who need to travel short distances;
or as I would say, commuters who do not want to walk from one kanto to another.
What you
should really know?
Be prepared to sit with only half your
butt. Drivers will squeeze in as many commuters as they can. It can also get really hot during summer.
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MRT/LRT
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What is it?
Who’s it
for?
Commuters who don’t mind getting their internal
organs mushed, and who need to fly and avoid traffic.
What you
should really know?
Fast but you need to fall in
line for a long time, especially during rush hours. Do not keep your
valuables in your pockets; this is the Disneyland of pick-pockets.
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BUS
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What is it?
A bus. Do I need to explain some more?
Fine. A huge, Air-conditioned (AC) or non-AC PUV with capacity of 80+ commuters.
Who’s it
for?
Commuters who need to travel long distances and
don’t mind traveling a little slow.
What you
should really know?
Be most careful when you’re standing at the
aisle near the door. It is where most pick-pockets take place. For EDSA
plying buses, mind the Bus Letters—you can be dropped off at certain stops in EDSA, depending on the bus letter.
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UV EXPRESS
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What is it?
Sometimes referred to as an FX, this is an AUV with AC which can accommodate 10 commuters. They also come in the
form of passenger vans which can sit 18 commuters.
Who’s it
for?
Commuters who need to travel longer distances
and need to get there fast.
What you
should really know?
Beware of commuters sitting in the middle
row. They will ignore and not reach for your bayad until you’re forced to say: “Manong, catch!”
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TRICYCLE/PEDICAB
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What is it?
Motorcycles with side cars a.k.a. "trike". A spin-off is a
pedicab: instead of a motorcycle, bicycles are attached to the side car.
Who’s it for?
Commuters who need to go inside villages or
areas with small roads, and who need to cross the flooded streets of Taft
avenue (or any other street during typhoon season).
What you should really know?
Most trikes offer special trips, which is a non-shared ride. But in certain areas, especially in the provinces and busy city areas, trikes can be shared and accommodate 4-8 commuters, depending on how daredevil-y the crowd is.
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TAXI
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What is it?
A car for hire for a non-shared ride that
runs on a meter.
Who’s it
for?
Commuters who want to ride comfortably, want a
car that’s kinda their own, and who does not have an Uber or Grab app in their
phones.
What you
should really know?
Drivers are extremely picky when it comes
to routes. They’d either charge you high or not take you at all. Careful with
scams; remember, it’s just you and the driver in the vehicle (or that’s what
you think).
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UBER/GRAB
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What is it?
An app-based, car for hire that has a predetermined
price that is calculated based on the distance and travel time estimate. It has a
shared or non-shared ride option.
Who’s it
for?
Commuters who want to ride comfortably, want a
car that’s kinda their own, and who have an Uber or Grab apps in their phones.
What you
should really know?
Drivers are usually nice because they own
the cars. Mutual respect and decency are necessary. Mind the high prices
during rush hours but take advantage of promos and discount codes.
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Choose your seat. Hop on.
Kid Commuter MNL
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