Riding MRT 101

Since college, I was already riding MRT and I had to admit that indeed it’s the fastest way to reach your destination most especially if you’re running late or really just in a hurry. And it is also undeniable that MRT is a very stressful ride. Bakit? Para sa mga nakasakay na lalo sa mga suki pag rush hour, you probably know why. Pero sa mga hindi pa, try nyo sumakay between 7am-8am and 6pm-7pm.

Actually, hindi naman talaga dapat nakaka-stress ang MRT ride. In fact, gumawa na nga ng segregation scheme para di umaangal ang mga babae na about men taking advantage di ba? Pero bakit nga ba stressing? In reality, fault din yan nating mga passengers. Kasi, we don’t know how to be aware of our co-passengers’ needs.

You’re probably wondering “What the hell is this blogger trying to say?!” Well, what I’m trying to tell everyone here is that, magkaroon naman tayo ng pakiramdam. Don’t just think of yourself. Oo nga nasisikipan ka, but who isn’t anyway? Kaya nga eto at may tips ako kung paano gawing stress-free ang MRT ride nyo…

• Pregnant/Has Cardiovascular Disease/ Just went through a surgical operation/ INJURED/ Simply Maarte – DO NOT RIDE.  I had these several experiences on my way home from work wherein some fellow passengers are whining and complaining about the very much compressed situation in the train. Ewan ko ba naman… May nakasabay ako, sabi niya, “O papasukin nyo ako. I’m elderly and kagagaling ko lang sa operation. Wag kayong mansiksik at baka atakehin ako!”  May isa pa, buntis naman. Sabi niya, “Ano ba?! Wag naman kasi kayong mansiksik. Naiipit na tiyan ko. Baka makunan pa ako!” HAAAAY… People of the Philippines, please be aware na siksikan po talaga sa MRT lalo na pag rush hour. You should have foreseen that even before purchasing your ticket. COMMON SENSE PLEASE. Kung ayaw nyong masiksik or masagi man lang ng ibang pasahero, wag na kayong mag-MRT. Ride on a bus. Or better yet, get yourself a cab. That way, you’ll be out of danger and very much comfortable while traveling.
• READ THE SIGN: EATING AND DRINKING NOT ALLOWED. Ok fine, nakakagutom magbiyahe. Pero hello! Kaya nga may mga food stalls bago ka pa sumakay di ba? It means, do your eating before riding the train. Hindi yung nakasakay ka na, saka ka pa lang kakain. Tapos matatapunan mo pa yung katabi mo. Haay naku!
• WITH HEAVY BAGGAGE LIKE BOXES OR GROCERY – DO NOT RIDE. We understand na mahal mag-taxi pero utang na loob naman… Bitbit mo na buong bahay mo, sasakay ka pa rin. And timing pa ng rush hour. Mag-taxi ka na lang. Alam mo na palang marami kang bitbit, di ka naglaan ng budget for that.
• READ THE SIGN: FIRST VEHICLE IS FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN, DISABLED and SENIOR CITIZENS ONLY. Di ko maintindihan bakit may mga lalake pa rin na di yata talaga alam ang ibig sabihin nito. Mukha naman silang marunong magbasa. But still, pasaway pa rin. Or kung hindi sila pasaway, pasaway ang gf or wife na kasama nila. For heaven’s sake, it’s not like you’re getting a divorce or annulment kung maghiwalay kayo sa train noh! And kung ayaw mo mahiwalay girl sa kasama mo, better to ride not in the first vehicle. Clear?
• DON’T BLOCK THE DOORS. Wag masyadong magmadali dahil makakasakay ka rin naman eh. Palabasin muna ang mga pasaherong lumalabas. Don’t block the way. Mas lalo lang kasing tatagal at gugulo if you will block it. And if you were in their shoes, you’ll probably be pissed off too kung haharangan ka rin pag palabas ka na.
• TAKE THE NEXT TRAIN IF YOU DON’T FIT IN ANYMORE. We know na nagmamadali ka. But please, do us all a favor. Take the next train na lang at wag mo nang ipilit pang pagkasyahin ang sarili mo. We don’t want any morbid scenes of a body getting squeezed by the train’s doors, ok? And besides, masyado nang masikip kung dadagdag ka pa. Show some compassion to fellow passengers. Grabe na kaya ang init pag sobrang siksikan.
• HAVE RESPECT. Lastly, show respect to fellow passengers. Fall in line if you must kahit nagmamadali ka pa. Offer your seat to elders, kids, injured or pregnant passengers. Wag mong sandalan nang husto ang katabi mo. Baka ma-off balance yan lalo na kung heavy-weight ka. Don’t chat too loud or use your cellphone too loud.

So ayan, alam nyo na kung paano magiging stress-free ang MRT ride nyo. Well, sana rin lang  makarating to sa MRT authorities and magkaroon din ng rule for preganant/injured/sickly passengers na wag na silang pasakayin. lalo na yung mga buntis na malalaki na talaga ang tiyan. After all, it’s for their welfare din naman kasi.