In these days of high gas prices, using your car the whole time doesn’t seem practical, especially if you’re a Manilan going to the shopping/business districts of Ortigas and Makati. Believe moi, the traffic and finding some parking in these places on normal days is so crazy and will drain a hole in your pocket besides.
Ever since ditching my car, I’ve found out it a breeze to use the train to go from one point of Manila to the next. On those days when I’ve done so (emphasis on ‘those days’ because my workplace is just walking distance from my house) I’ve achieved the remarkable thing of slashing my transpo budget by as much as 200%. Not too bad eh?
If you’re living abroad or a Pinoy who hasn’t tried LRT’s Line 2, above picture should give you an idea. It was my first time to try it out this week and I must say am glad whenever I see new infrastructure like this. At least there’s an indication that things are moving in this country of ours, even if it’s at a turtle’s pace.
(Speaking of infra, I still have to go to the SM Mall of Asia, hahahaa)
Although I wasn’t able to memorize all the stations, the LRT2 – which is accessible from LRT1-Doroteo Jose- is the best way to go to Sta. Mesa (SM!) , Gilmore, Cubao proper, and Katipunan. I was wondering about this station named after the late Betty Go-Belmonte and realized that it’s in Boston, Cubao. Santolan, the last stop, is a good jump-off point for Cainta, Antipolo and the like.
Related factoids for those not accustomed to public transpo:
LRT1 services the Manila area. It goes to Baclaran in the South (passing by UN Avenue, Pedro Gil, Quirino, Vito Cruz, Gil Puyat, Libertad, EDSA) and Monumento in the North (passing by places in Sta. Cruz and Caloocan)
– a good jump off point if you’re going to the bargain areas in Baclaran, Quiapo, Carriedo and Divisoria)
– males are segregated from the females, which is gooood. The less you run into psychos and maniacs, the better!
MRT services Makati, Ortigas, and Quezon City. Fast, efficient and the lines can be long during rush hour as it’s full of office workers on weekdays.
The ramps directly going to the EDSA Shang-ri La Plaza Mall and SM Makati can be very convenient for shopaholics.
Here’s a handy map of present and future train stations
akala ko sa abroad yang picture mo. once pa lang akong naksakay sa lrt2 sana ma-maintain lang ng maayos ang facility.
i love travelling to manila via LRT2! mas maganda sya kasi bago.. pero sana ma maintain nila ito…
and what i like lrt 2 is that yung pag-a-anounce ng next train station is done in english and tagalog.. at recorded na sya.. in short.. it was professionally done..
unlike in MRT, sometimes u get to hear their “drivers” say: ORTEGAS stesyon, or GMA Kamuneng, or SHo bulebard station..
hay…
hehe
Sige nga, try namin yan minsan ni D. Pasyal pasayal lang:razz:
Hi Ymir. Yes, feeling ko rin sa abroad sya coz it’s very new and it’s not really crowded like the other stations. Look at the pic, walang tao:wink:
Hahaha. You’re funny Eric. :grin:Yeah, the announcements in the trains are very professional sounding. Feeling ko tuloy nasa Japan or Landon ako because that’s how it is there
sumakay ako ulit sa lrt2 kanina from santolan to cubao.. galing kasi ako Avilon Zoo. bagal ng jeep kaya napa tren ako tuloy. ehehehe
The train is best Eric. I think am turning into an advocate of these trains already, lolz. But then again, I hate jeepneys…the fumes, the smoke, the undisciplined drivers. Phase ’em out, I say, phase ’em out…:lol:
I guess a country’s train system is a good measure of its development. Good for you… there’s no reason to drive if the LRT is efficient. Is it clean too? I hope they develop the railway system all over the Philippines.
It’s relatively clean Toe. Eating & drinking’s prohibited inside. I hope too that they develop the railway system.. I think they’re extending the LRT to Cavite & there’s also one being developed in the North covering Bulacan…
Oh, I agree with u, Ajay. Phase out the jeepneys, and i want to also add the buses. Sobrang smoke-belchers ang mga iyan, at super walang disiplina ang mga drivers. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr…..
Hey – for a minute there I thought you shot this abroad. Glad to know we have a world-class transpo system we can all be proud of. What I fear though is, like so many good things in our country, it will be downhill from here. Since the catchphrase for all public edifices is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. That is why other great cities thrive well because of this mantra. Plus – discipline, of course, from the public. Are we up to it kaya?
Amen to that Lani. The jeepneys are an overrated symbol of the Philippines, and very expensive now too. Them and the buses should stop being kings of the road.
Okay naman ang LRT and MRT Al. except for the unavoidable crowds, they do maintain the premises and enforce discipline here. Notwithstanding the fact that the fare is so cheap to go from one point to the next. And when all else fails, I just want the aircon!!:lol: