Metro-Manila, the metropolitan area of the capital of the Philippines is home to some 10 million people. A light metro system LRT/MRT, which runs mainly elevated, was developed and up until now is being developed to accomodate thousands of commuters everyday. I personally ride the these trains going to work and back home. It is saves me a lot of time and money (up to this date) the actual one ride going from the north to south end of the train station is about P20.00 or less.
As I travel everyday, i came up with four top things you need to know so that you can have a hassle-free train ride in manila.
1. Beware of pickpockets - yes, i was almost a victim, last year, while i was about to go out of the train, i felt the pocket of my pants and realize my wallet was gone, i knew someone took it because a few minutes earlier, it was there. You see, it's a habit of mine to check my pockets if i have my wallet and cellphone. Well, what happened next was exciting, i looked behind the man following me and without any warning i started to feel his pants pocket, when suddenly there was this other guy who said, "here it is", it fell off. I didn't believe him of course, but i didn't have time to argue, because the doors of the train is closing, and im just happy i got my wallet back.
The funny part was this, the man who i thought took my wallet also went out on the same station i did, and i just realized how big he was. Good thing is , he was just as shocked as i was and didn't say a thing. So off we went our separate ways.
2. Relax, the next train is coming - most commuters would always try to ride the first train that comes even if they know that it is already crowded and stinky inside. You see the real trick here is to just let everyone ride the first train, because you will be surprise the next 2 or 3 trains would surely be less of people or sometimes empty. In the lrt, there are these trains called the "jump trains". It skips certain stations and stops where there are the most number of people are waiting.
3. Avoid stepping on the red lane! There is a reason why the security guards are bad tempered when passengers do step over this lane, and though some of them maybe rude, they do have a point in getting mad. I do understand them because they need to promote safety to all passengers, some people are really just too anxious to get their ride, they step over and try to look at the incoming train, as if by just looking they have this super power to make it appear right away.
4. There is a designated space for women and children. So if you are an adult, and you have a child with you, even if your a male, you are allowed to sit up in front. I sometimes get irritated when there are some men who tries their luck in sitting up with the women. If your a man, i suggest that you don't even try, because if one of the guards catches you, you'll be force to get out, embarrassed and all.
