Loh
12-08-2005, 05:59 AM
Manila streets are normally busy with people and traffic, yet you call hardly see a bus, except the occasional school bus.
For public transport the ordinary Filipino uses the hardy jeeps or jeepneys as they're commonly known here. And passengers can practically board and alight anywhere they want along the scheduled routes, except when the traffic policeman is around.
The Filipino jeepney is a work of art as most of them are colourfully and beautifully decorated. It is specially constructed to be able to hold a heavy load. Each is given a special name and the one that I sat in can hold about 12 to 16 passengers. The fares are standard and cheap and for the two trips that I made from J.P. Rizal to Rizal Park, I paid less than 20 pesos, or about 65 Singapore cents. The various destinations along the way are normally painted on the sides of the jeep and sometimes in front as well.
Jeepney drivers are in the main very skilful. They are able to negotiate their way among the crowded thoroughfare at breadthtaking speeds and yet hardly meet with an accident - at least I haven't seen one during my short stay in Manila. And they have eagle eyes to be able to spot the unexpected customer flaging them down from almost out of nowhere!
The passengers are special too. They have learned how to make their way up the narrow jeepney to get to a seat in an orderly and efficient manner! And there is this unofficial cooperation among the passengers to pass the fare to the driver from a passenger sitting near the back and to return any change to him.
The Filipino jeepney is simply unique! :D
For public transport the ordinary Filipino uses the hardy jeeps or jeepneys as they're commonly known here. And passengers can practically board and alight anywhere they want along the scheduled routes, except when the traffic policeman is around.
The Filipino jeepney is a work of art as most of them are colourfully and beautifully decorated. It is specially constructed to be able to hold a heavy load. Each is given a special name and the one that I sat in can hold about 12 to 16 passengers. The fares are standard and cheap and for the two trips that I made from J.P. Rizal to Rizal Park, I paid less than 20 pesos, or about 65 Singapore cents. The various destinations along the way are normally painted on the sides of the jeep and sometimes in front as well.
Jeepney drivers are in the main very skilful. They are able to negotiate their way among the crowded thoroughfare at breadthtaking speeds and yet hardly meet with an accident - at least I haven't seen one during my short stay in Manila. And they have eagle eyes to be able to spot the unexpected customer flaging them down from almost out of nowhere!
The passengers are special too. They have learned how to make their way up the narrow jeepney to get to a seat in an orderly and efficient manner! And there is this unofficial cooperation among the passengers to pass the fare to the driver from a passenger sitting near the back and to return any change to him.
The Filipino jeepney is simply unique! :D