First of the 4 Part series:
After the war, Manila grew phenomenally as migrants from different corners of the country converge in our nation’s capital to seek for better opportunities and alleviate from poverty. Along with the growth of population comes the expansion of urban areas. Some portions of the Province of Rizal eventually ended up as being part of one of the largest metropolitan areas in Asia.
Having said the trend of “Expand and Explode”, the burgeoning problem of mass transport and adequate roads became a necessity within the metro. Traffic jams were getting worse and mass transportation was getting antiquated. Buses are clogging the streets of Manila, and so were the jeepneys. Commuting time became long and unbearable.
By early 1980’s, having realized the urban blight that Manila was facing, President Marcos created LRTA or Light Railway Transit Authority, after series of feasibility studies were made. By 1984, the Yellow Line (from Baclaran to Monumento) started, which runs from Pasay and into the heart of Manila, all the way to Caloocan. By mid-1990s, the traffic congestion of historic EDSA worsens, triggering the construction of MRT Line 3 or MetroRail (Blue Line as categorized by DOTC) which runs 26 kilometers from Pasay City to Quezon City. Then in 2004, after years of construction, the Purple Line or LRT-2 opened. It spans from east to west, traversing Manila to Quezon City.
Before you go on a Joyride
So knowing a bit of a background of the metro, here are some tips to have yourself prepared from one of the things of Metro Manila urban living:
- So, for the first timers, you’re not going to use raw money to pay for your fare like what you do in jeepneys. Before you ride the train, buy a magnetic card which will be your ticket to your destination. Right now, its from P15 to P20 for the fare for the Yellow Line, P10-P15 for the Blue Line and P12-P14 for the Purple Line, depending where do you want to go. And as much as possible, don’t loose it. You’re going to pay a fine for lost tickets.
- The metro train systems were built out of necessity, so don’t assume that you’ll be seating most of the time especially rush hours. MRT especially is notorious for its long queues at the ticket slots and sardine-cramped coaches during rush hours.
- After complains from concerned women’s groups about no touchy-touchy scenarios during a cramped rush hour ride, finally there’s a segregated coach for the women, elderly, disabled and children at the Yellow Line and MRT, and usually the first coaches are. The rest of the train is still a sardine can, often so cramped that you need to push yourself in during rush hours.
- Watch out your belongings.
- No food or drinks allowed.
- No pets allowed.
- It is advised that you don’t bring bulky stuff in the metro or else.
- Have yourself ready for the long line and cramped coaches and a standing ovation along with other passengers.
*This article will be featured in Panay News' 27th Anniversary Supplementary Section for April 07, 2008.
