There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use.
Buses : Both air-conditioned and regular buses travel all the major routes in Metro Manila except Roxas Boulevard. On an air-con bus a short ride costs PhP 8.00, adding PhP 2.00 for every succeeding kilometer. The regular bus' minimum fare is PhP 3.00, with an additional PhP1.00 for every succeeding kilometer. Just tell the conductor where you are going and he will tell you how much it costs. Keep your bus receipt as it is your proof of payment.
Jeepneys : Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares. They're as much fun to ride on as they are to look at and you have to try one. Although there are regular stops, you can often just flag one down and hop on. Call out "bayad" (bah-yhad) and pay the driver. If you are too far back, pass your PhP 3.00 (minimum fare for the first 4 kilometers; 50 centavos additional for every succeeding 500 meters) down. When you are ready to get off, call out "para" (pah-rah); wait till he slows down and jump.
The LRT : It's the fastest, cheapest way to go. The PhP 10.00-worth token takes you from Monumento (the northern end of Edsa) to Baclaran, travelling first along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist maps have the route of the LRT marked. Metro-Manila, the metropolitan area of the capital of the Philippines is home to some 10 million people. A light metro system (Mass Rail Transit MRT), which runs mainly elevated, is being developed
LRT 1 is a fully elevated north-south route opened 1 Dec. 1984 (7 km) and June 1985 (8 km). It runs along Rizal and Taft Avenues (15 km, 18 stations). The capacity of the line was increased in 1998. The line runs on a precast concrete structure 7 m above the street, designed to withstand earthquakes. It has 1435 mm gauge and 750 V overhead power supply. Average station distance is 825 m, stations are only accessible via stairs, there are no elevators or escalators. Central, Monumento (northern terminal) and Baclaran (southern terminal) function as transfer station to buses and jeepneys. Trains operate in 2-4 car units (one unit 29.3 m long, 2.5 m wide), which have roof ventilation. A 12 km southern extension will be built by SNC-Lavalin (Canada) (Oct.2000).
MRT 3 (popularly called METROSTAR) runs elevated along EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Ave.) ring road (except Buendia station which is underground). The central section opened on 16 Dec. 1999, the southern section, which connects to LRT 1 followed on 20 July 2000. The total length is now 16.8 km, once the northern section is built the line will be 24 km. After the first months of operation, ridership was far below expectations, mainly due to high fares compared to buses and long flights of stairs to access the elevated stations. Metrostar trains are air-conditioned.
LRT 2 Construction of this elevated line started in 1998 between Doroteo JosA (LRT 1) to Cubao (MRT 3) in Quezon City, and further on to Santolan in Pasig. It will run along Recto Ave, Magsaysay Blvd and Aurora Blvd. The first phase from Santolan to Araneta Center-Cubao is scheduled to open in April 2003, the remaining stretch will follow in Dec. 2004. The full length from Santolan to Recto Ave. will be 13.8 km and have 11 stations (only Katipunan underground). This line may later extended further east (4km) to Masinag Junction in Antipolo, Rizal.
Manila's MRT 3 will be completed to Monumento Stn. by 2004, with the stations being named (from North Ave.) Roosevelt, Balintawak, and Monumento.
LRT 1 extension south (12km) will be completed by 2004. The first phase stations are named (from Baclaran) Redemptorist, Manila International Airport (or MIA), Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Manuyo Uno, Las Pi?as, Zapote, Talaba, and Niyog.
MRT 4 running northeast from Doroteo JosA/Recto into Quezon City connecting with North Ave. Stn. on line 3, with 20 stations will be completed by 2007.
Taxis: Air-conditioned taxis cost PhP25.00 on the meter and an additional PhP 2.00 is added for every succeeding 200 meters. to the final cost. Non-airconditioned taxis do not ply anymore. Taxis are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless you are taking a long trip or the traffic is unusually horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At least a 10% tip is expected.
Other Modes of Transport
Most of the major car rental agencies, including AVIS, Budget, and Hertz have offices in Metro Manila and carry a full line of vehicles from jeeps to limousines. All vehicles may be rented with or without a driver. If you wish to do your own driving you must have a valid foreign or international license. Inter-island transportation is provided by either airplane or ferry boat. Philippine Airlines services 43 major provincial airports. Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, Air Philippines, and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila (63-2-5267652, 5267653, 5267655).
