Bus: What you really need to know

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Hi there,

Buses are ideal for long commutes. They are relatively cozier than cheaper alternatives. They are slower but they are weather-proof--if there is an off-chance that it will flood, I suggest you take the bus.

Buses in the Philippines come in two options- Air-conditioned and Ordinary fare (i.e. non-aircon buses). Main difference? The fare. Air-conditioned buses costs P2.00-P5.00 more than Ordinary. One more? The amount and kind of pollution you will absorb. Air-conditioned buses shield you from the smog of the Metro but they expose you to weird smells. Choosing between the two really depends on your and your pocket's appetite tolerance.

Tip#1: Flagging down buses
Interestingly, flagging down buses are quite tricky. You are lucky if you live a few steps away from a terminal. But for most of us who live along the bus routes, you need to make a scene to stop them. Make sure to flag them a few hundred meters away also. Remember, basic science tells us: bigger mass + high speed =  more inertia.

If your bus plies through EDSA, it makes your life a bit more difficult. Buses have letters on the upper right of their windshields. Each letter corresponds to a set of  bus stops. If you happen to get on a bus that does not stop at your destination, I wish you good luck. It is very likely you will be:
     

    A) walking a lot, or

B) be forced to jump off a slow-moving bus in the middle lane while getting shouted at by the driver, the conductor, the driver of the car behind you, and the traffic enforcer. Make your life             easier, and choose the appropriate bus.

To guide you, here is an infrographic from Rappler:

Tip #2: Finding your seat
In a typical bus, you have three seats on your right and two seats on your left. Choosing where to seat is really a matter of preference. I am sharing with you some tips I learned first hand.

Seats	Tips
Aisle seats	Least comfortable for me. Your space gets invaded by people standing up. You will get pushed by protruding bellies every time passengers need to get off the bus or every time the conductor collects payments. Most prone to be robbed for seated commuters, especially if you leave your bags open.
Middle seat (in a 3 seater row)	Take this if you do not mind getting squeezed. A bit uncomfortable especially when the window seat guy needs to get out... or loves the sun too much not to close the curtains at 9AM.
Window seat	Best for sleeping. Your main concerns would be the broken air conditioner (can make it too cold), the sun (can make it too hot), and the stinky curtains. To avoid the cold, bring a jacket. Bring scratch paper also in case the air-con window is busted. Use the scratch paper to clog the window. To avoid the sun, choose the proper aisle seat depending on your travel time. Just remember: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Tip#3: Standing up
Most of the time, we ride buses with no empty seats. Alas, that means you have to stand up the entire shakey ride. Just a few notes:

    Stand far from the door when your destination is far. This is more convenient.

Stand close the door when your destination is close. When the bus gets really full, it will be very hard navigating through the narrow aisle populated with sweaty bodies if you stand at the end of the bus. But there is an exception to this rule.
    The exception: when you have a choice, avoid standing near the door. This is where most pick-pockets thrive because this is where most it gets most crowded.

As a general rule, do not put important items in your pockets when you have to stand up in a bus.

Tip#4: Where to get off
Please get off at designated stops only. The conductor usually shouta out the next stop; please pay attention. Avoid wearing headsets.

Be careful also: sometimes, bus drivers would stop and let you get off in the middle lane.

Tip#5: Funny businesses
Be wary. As is in many transport options, there are a lot of funny businesses that occur.

    Sometimes, the conductor will pull one on you if you are not familiar with the fare. Best to give an exact amount when you pay. See Tip#6 for more information.

The most common funny business is pick-pocketing. Whether you are standing up in the aisle or seated near the aisle, best to be extra mindful of your belongings. Again, no items in your pockets. Most pick pockets are done by a group of people where one creates a distraction while the other picks. For those standing up, one of the most common scheme is to create very tight paths for when you have to descend the bus, it will be very easy to rob you.
    Careful of sex-starved people. They may take advantage of you. You need to draw attention when you are being harassed; perhaps shame the culprit. Just be very careful, they may be armed.

Tip#6: Prepare exact amounts
The Philippine Commuting System rests on honesty. Where else do you see people reaching for other people's fares not to keep for themselves but for the driver? Alas, we are only humans and are tempted.

As of this writing, the minimum bus fare is P12.00. Now for first timers, it is always good to ask the conductor how much the fare is from the conductor BEFORE handing out that P100 bill. Sometimes, the conductor pulls one on you (whether intentionally or unintentionally); charging you more than what it really is due. But when you have taken the bus a few times, you will eventually know the true fare. When you have reached that level of enlightenment, make sure to bring and pay the exact amount.

Tip#7: Bring snacks
I am assuming that you rode the bus because your commute is at least an one hour. During the rush hour, I am sure you will starve. Please do not bring anything too smelly though.

If you happen to forget your trusty biscuit, I am sure the peanut vendor will come aboard and tempt you with the smell of the not-so freshly cooked legume.

Tip#8: Point-to-point buses (P2P)
Because of the insane traffic, the government has partnered with a few bus companies to bring you "express" buses. These buses do not allow passengers to get off the bus before reaching the terminal. They charge a bit more but you save some time...IF the terminal is near your house.

P2P's are comfortable. Some of them even have TV's. Leg room may be an issue for some but you can choose your seat to get around this. Word of caution though: as this is popular, you may have to wait a long time before the buses arrive during rush hours. On lull hours, however, P2P's will leave on time whether it is full or not.

The only point-to-point buses I know are:

    Glorietta 5 (Makati) to Trinoma (North Ave., Quezon City) and vice-versa;

    Glorietta 5 (Makati) to Eton Centris (Quezon Ave., Quezon City) and vice-versa;

    Glorietta 3 (Makati) to Robinson's Novaliches (Fairview, Quezon City) and vice-versa;

    Glorietta 3 (Makati) to Robinson's Galleria (Ortigas Center, Pasig City) and vice-versa;

    Alabang Town Center (Alabang) to Glorietta 1 (Makati) and vice-versa

I hope you find these tips useful. The bus is one of your options and can be your friend; just make sure you know it well.

That's it for buses for now. Let's take the taxis next.

Hop on.

Kid Commuter MNL

MRT/LRT: What you really need to know

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Hi there,

If you read my post a few weeks ago, you probably met the trains, LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3. They are the most economical and (arguably) the fastest land transportation in the Metro. They are probably the best option (comment if you agree) for the rushing and financially challenged commuter. With PHP30.00, you can travel to multiple cities in less than an hour.

It is because of those qualities that the trains are very popular. They're so popular that "very very very long" is an understatement to describe how long the lines to take them are. The trains overflow with commuters during rush hours. Unfortunately, your elbows are not the only body parts you rub with other commuters. And most unfortunately, during rush hours, you are introduced to a wide array of stench scents.

The trains also have a reputation of breaking down every so often. Please understand, they're old and over utilized. These, the long lines, and the crammed trains can make taking the trains very stressful. But fret not, dear commuter! I have a few tips to make your life easier and help you take advantage of the good things about taking the trains.

TIP #1: Know where you need to go
Do not get confused in taking the trains. Remember, all 3 trains are connected but they only intersect at very few stations. See the map below where you can transfer stations.

TIP #2: Getting to the trains
The trains are relatively fast; but getting to the train stations is another story. The areas around train stations are usually very busy. Make sure you allot ample time. Although, getting to the train stations are relatively easy. Most PUVs pass by at least one train station.

The real challenge lies in how to get from the staircase to the platform. As I have said earlier, lines are long and they will test your patience. The key to getting around this is to know your station very well.

Some stations have multiple lines that lead to the platform during rush hours. Some of those lines take longer than the others. Unfortunately, you only get to know which line is the best when you have surveyed the station enough. So when you get stuck in the worst lines, use that time to check out other lines.

Lastly,  when you finally get to the platform, there is another row of lines that will test your judgment. As a general guide, lines leading to the middle doors (as opposed to the end doors per cart) are faster as they can accommodate more.

Remember also that there are carts (usually the last carts) dedicated to women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and those with young children. Make sure you are not falling in line for this cart if you do not fit any of those.

TIP #3: Tickets/The Beep Card
The trains use two kinds of cards: single journey ticket and the Beep card.

Single Journey Ticket
The single journey ticket is obviously, for one time use only. You can get this kind of ticket at the train stations' ticket booths or ticket machines only. A few reminders for this card:
     🚆 They are only usable on the same day you buy them.
     🚆 Single journey tickets are line-specific-- meaning, you cannot use the LRT-1 ticket to take the LRT-2             or the MRT-3.
     🚆 To use them, TAP upon ENTRY and INSERT at the turnstile upon EXIT.

If you ask me, using the single journey ticket only makes sense when you do not have enough money for a Beep card. Take note, for LRT-1 and LRT-2, you pay a few extra Pesos when you use the single journey ticket. Check this out to see how much you need to budget.

Beep Card
The Beep card is a re-loadable contactless card. If you don't have one yet, you can get it (and reload) at any train station, major convenience stores, and selected malls. A few reminders for this card:
     🚆 Your first Beep card costs PHP100.00. It has PHP80.00 load, which means you paid PHP20.00 or                   the card.
     🚆 The card has a validity of 4 years.
     🚆 Maximum load amount is PHP10,000.
     🚆 There is no maintaining balance for the card but the minimum loadable amounts are PHP11.00                   (LRT-1), PHP12.00 (LRT-2), and PHP13.00 (MRT-3).
     🚆 The Beep card is usable in all trains.
     🚆 The Beep card is also usable in selected buses, expressway tolls, and convenience stores.

The MRT authorities has this brochure to guide you on how you can load your Beep cards at the train stations.

For the price list, please click on these tables I made for you.

TIP #4: Rush Hour
Avoid the rush hour. This is a cliché because it works. Rush hours mean more people, longer lines, more scents, and more stress. Rush hours run from 6:00AM to 9:00AM, and 5:00PM to 8:00PM. If you can leave earlier, all the better.

If you cannot avoid the rush hours, follow tips #2 and #5.

TIP #5: Squeezing in
There are days when you do not listen to your alarm, snooze it, and decid to take that extra 5 minutes of sleep...which extends to an hour. Obviously, you're late and you bank on the trains to miraculously get you to work on time. When you reach the station, the trains are jam packed and you know the only way to make time is you squeeze your way into the train.

People get, at the very least, uncomfortable. The concept of personal space does not exist. So make sure you:
     🚆 Avoid wearing clothes that show too much skin (because do you really want to exchange
            sweats with that person beside you?).
     🚆 Avoid wearing flip flops and open-toed sandals if you want your toes to live.
     🚆 Avoid bringing huge bags. Not only will you not get in the train, but you will also be hated by
            everyone.
     🚆 Make sure you have your beep card loaded. The last thing you want is to fall in (another long)
           line to have your card loaded. My advice is to have it loaded at the station you get down off.
           Just make sure you budget well.

TIP# 6: Taking care of your belongings
Let's keep this simple: keep your belongings in sight and secured. Because of how tight the trains can be, pick-pockets usually feast on unsuspecting commuters.
     🚆 Do not keep anything in your pockets, especially in your back pockets. This is the easiest way
            to steal from you, especially if you are standing up.
     🚆 If you're wearing a backpack wear them in front. It does not look quite as cool as wearing them                   on your back but do you want to be cool without a wallet/phone? I do not think so.
     🚆 If you have a shoulder bag, try as much as you can to hug it. Make sure your bag is zipped closed,                 and your hands cover the sides and the bottom.
     🚆 I do not advise that you hold on to your wallet and phones in the train. If you drop them, good                    luck locating those bits and pieces in a sea of feet and bags.
     🚆 The best way to not lose your valuables while in the train is to not bring too much valuables. I                       understand that you need your phone and some money but do you really need to bring all those                 debit cards, credit cards, and that much money? Plan your day ahead and budget. Bring one ATM                card for emergency expenses.
     🚆 Harping on the above, do not draw attention to yourself with fancy things. Do not wear too                         much jewelry. Remember, you are riding a PUV not a limousine. If you really need to wear them,                 put them first in your bags. Leave a little earlier, go to the restroom when you get to your                             destination and put them on.
     🚆 When you plan to take a nap, make sure your bag is inaccessible -- zippers closed and covered

Hopefully, these tips are enough to let you have a nice, smooth train ride.

Well, that's the train for you (for now). I'll do buses next. Hop on.

Kid Commuter MNL

MRT/LRT: Fare Prices

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Hi there,

For your convenience, I've summarized the fare for the LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3. It's a little small here but you can click here or on the images to see them better.

Hop on the train.

Kid Commuter MNL

Commute in the Philippines: The Jungle Animals

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Hi there,

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
	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.
MRT/LRT
	What is it? An alien spaceship. This is Metro Manila’s train system. Currently, it is composed of three lines: LRT 1   (Roosevelt to Baclaran), LRT 2 (Santolan to Recto), and MRT 3 (North Ave. to EDSA-Taft). 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.
BUS
	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.
UV EXPRESS
	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!”
TRICYCLE/PEDICAB
	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.
TAXI
	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).
UBER/GRAB
	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.

I'll give you specific pro-tips for some of these animals at my next posts; When they're done, I'll make sure the images are clickable. Just give me a few minutes days weeks. 😊

Choose your seat. Hop on.

Kid Commuter MNL

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