36- Simple Joys

       FOR EXAMPLE:  The Your Singapore Pass- A REAL "Essential" when in the Lion City

To many, public transportation is essential in everyday life. People take buses, taxis, and trains to work. People take buses, taxis, and trains to school. People rely on public transportation to, basically, help them get on with their lives.

I am proudly Filipino, but I must say that it is a crying shame that Manila's public transportation system is in shambles. We have buses, yes, but what's on the road are usually buses that are decrepit, and unfit for prolonged use. We have cabs, yes, but the taxis we have are either falling apart, or, have been commandeered by speed demons. I have relied on Manila's public transportation options before, and I have honestly been left far from satisfied.

This is why I can't help but highlight bright rays of operational convenience as far as public transportation goes. I see most of these glimmers of hope when I visit foreign countries. Enter, the Singapore tourist pass. Now, this card isn't for every type of tourist that goes to the Lion City, but it does do the trick for those that don't mind walking, and those who intend to go to MANY places via MRT over a span of 1, 2, or 3, days. I am not going to get into the meat of what Singaporean culture is via this post. Rather, I will say that it would be great, yes, GREAT, if we had a card like this here in Manila. Similar to Hong Kong's Octopus Card, the tourist pass covers several railway lines and bus lines. For those with some advanced cash to spare, and those who want to just zip in and out of the subway, and go from place to place in Singapore with utmost ease, this card is a must. 

On any given day, the Filipino side of the internet is awash with posts about how train queues in the Greater Manila Area can snake across sidestreets and into lines several kilometers long. There are also many a post from frustrated commuters unable to keep to their appointments because of an inefficient train system. A tap card isn't the "do all" balm which the government wishes it had, but, it is a start. Multiple corporate sponsors backing the card alongside the Philippine Department of Transportation could help make the card affordable to the everyman- and rightfully so. The MRT is a mode of transportation for the everyman after all, so, pricing a part of that system beyond what the everyman can afford would not make sense. Of course, all of this is easier said than done. 

Call me what you want, but for those who live in Manila, you know its true. Our train system should be leveled, and, consequently rebuilt. Our leaders have become all too fond of short term, palliative, solutions. Real answers are needed, while weighing the ratio between genuine risk, and, genuine, sustainable, benefits. 

It isn't that hard. Go make a card. At least, make an effort to not say "stop", but, "start". 

MC