Manila always has intimidated me. I grew up sheltered in a small city, within a province, tucked away from anything extravagant. Not that I grew up on trees or anything, we have our fair share of luxurious malls, irritating traffic and smog. It’s just that, Manila is too big, for me at least.
Commuting is never a problem in a small city like where I grew up from. A jeepney ride can take me from Point A to Point B in a matter of minutes. If it’s rush hour, it may take a few more minutes than that. But i
t never was excruciating like what I hear of the busy streets of Manila. Traffic in Manila is notorious. It has the reputation of being the worse when stuck on rush hour or the craziest when even the most minor of traffic accidents occur.
As people flock to Manila for various reasons (from education to chasing dreams), continual congestion of motor vehicle traffic is addressed in different ways. One that is very helpful is the MRT or the Metro Rail Transit located along the busiest highway in the city, EDSA. It has 13 stops that go from North Avenue all the way to Taft. Traveling from North to South and bypassing crazy EDSA is definitely a breeze with the trail.
Sick of taxi rates, crazy bus rides along EDSA and being a fish out of the water whenever I travel to the big city, I tried to get my hands on the MRT trail. Here are some tips for a smooth, non-fuss MRT commute in Manila for the intimidated (like me):
1. Research. Before leaving POINT A (where you came from) then traveling to POINT B (your place of destination), make sure to do a bit of research or ask questions beforehand to know what to expect and avoid confusion. I suggest to Google Map your destination and see if a MRT trail can be taken.
2. Don’t be scared. Once you get to the MRT station, A LOT of people are there (caps locked for emphasis). Lines are long and frustrating. Do not be afraid to ask questions if need be. Filipinos are generally friendly so this should be easy. TIP: Make sure to have an exact amount on hand (price ranges from 10php-14php, depends on destination). There is an EXACT AMOUNT line which is faster and hassle free.
3. Have fun! Commuting is part of our daily lives. Exploring possibilities of travel at the most minimal fee and the most efficient way possible is a must for city dwellers. For beginners like myself, just enjoy the ride and before you know it, you already got the hang of it. Yes, it is not a walk in the park and not the most peaceful thing in the world, but the trail system works. I’ll take it over expensive taxis or crazy buses any time of the day.
Manila is less intimidating to me now, almost endearing even. This city has its own charm and vibe that is more lively and welcoming, which I got to see once I started walking on its streets. Now I realized that there really is no city big enough for a traveler’s heart.
MRT trail is open from 7am to 10pm every day.
Price range: 10php-14php per trip
Photos from:
http://slawyers.blogspot.com
http://www.pinaytraveller.com
http://www.destination360.com
