#MRT & #LRT

MRT/LRT PHILIPPINES

NANGUNA NGUNIT NANGULELAT?

Traveling is an eye-opener on all sorts of things, be it culture or people, whether going out of the country or just visiting a local region. Just recently, I visited Singapore for academic and professional reasons and at the same time, meet some colleagues of whom I have not seen for a very long time and have my vacation as well. Listed on my itineraries were visiting sights and rides at the Universal Studios, Sentosa Underwater World, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Singapore Chinatown and, of course, I needed to visit the NUS (National University of Singapore). It's been in my head for quite sometime. 

I arrived at Changi airport at 2AM, so I decided to have my breakfast, and besides, the subway train opens at 5 am, so I still have enough time to stroll around the airport. The Changi Airport, one of the best airports in the world is a destination in its own right. From terminal 1 to 4, awaiting passengers are invited to a free movie to relax, play with video game consoles, watch large screen television - showing Singapore's multi-cultures in segments and browse through a free internet access. There are also tourist spots in each terminal to visit such as; the Butterfly Garden, the Koi Fish Pond, the Cactus Garden and an array of Singaporean street food, all of these, in order to make the passengers not to feel bored and stuck.

At 5AM the train opens, on time, and in less than an hour ride, I arrived at Orchard Road. It was a little spooky because I was greeted by the squeaking crows on top of the buildings and tall trees, the crows squeaked so loud. Orchard Road, in an early morning breeze is still brightened by colorful lights designed for the coming Christmas season.

With many itineraries on my list, I opted to take the subway train to travel around Singapore. Taxis are very expensive and traveling by bus will take a long time. Compared to buses and taxis, taking the train is a lot cheaper. In Singapore, traveling by train only costs less than two-Singaporean dollars, whether it is a long or a short ride.

There is something that kept me wondering. I have travelled to other countries aside from Singapore, I can not help but feel envious about other countries transport system - America, Australia, London, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Unlike our notorious or should I say,  motorious MRT's and LRT's, their rapid (LRT) transport is truly time efficient.

Allow me to compare, Singapore trains do arrive on time, ours is mostly late and no specified time to follow, Singapore trains travels smoothly, spot clean from floor, walls to ceiling and air-conditioned, if you are a regular MRT/LRT commuter you know what's in contrast here. In my whole stay of traveling by train in Singapore I have never smell anything foul, sweaty or fishy, (ang sa atin parang sardinas kulang na lang magkapalit-palit tayo ng mukha, at sa sari-saring amoy, immune na yata tayo). Manuevering is not manned, Singapore's rapid transit is programmed and computerized, (at ang ating LRT may drayber sa unahan).

For the Singaporean government, safety of passengers is first and foremost, trains have double-doors for extra precaution, safety announcements are broadcasted for any suspicious activity with respect, (ang LRT sa atin iba, matindi ang dating, "MAG-INGAT PO TAYO SA MANDURUKOT"). 

There are maps at the stations and inside the train arrowing where the trains are going and station names are well maintained, (sa atin marami nang sira-sirang karatula ng mga istasyon, kaya minsan, ako mismo lumagpas sa Quirino Station).

Local police and subway personnel are visible to direct tourist like me on what train to take going to my destination. Commuters are well-behaved they wait in line, (ang sa atin, hindi mo na kailangan humakbang may tutulak sa 'yo papasok sa loob ng train).

The Manila Light Railway Transit System Line was the first in South East Asia, established in 1984. Singapore followed in 1987, and the Philippines were ahead of the race when it comes to rapid transit. As of today (2018), the Philippine train system have 3 lines; (LRT Line 1) serving from Roosevelt to Baclaran station, (LRT Line 2) serving from Santolan to Recto station and, (LRT Line 3) serving from Pasay Taft to North Edsa, while Singapore's MRT, is spanning its entire city-state.

What happened?

I can't help but ask myself, kung nagawang simulan bakit hindi nagawang tuloy-tuloy at naging progresibo? Why does my country suffers from the 'ningas-cogon' negative trait? The Philippines started the first light-rail transit in South East Asia, how come we are the one being left behind? 

Talaga bang tinanggap na nating sa SIMULA LAMANG TAYO MAGALING? TAYO ba ito bilang isang lahi, NANGUNA NGUNIT NANGULELAT?

Copyright 2018.
Dr. Johnie DR Cuison