A Commuter’s Thoughts

This is the part 2 for my previous post Are You in a Hurry?

Waking up after just a few hours of sleep and start preparing for the day can sometimes be physically exhausting. By the time I start my usual commuter’s ride9s), I can always appreciate some luxury like being able to sit on the bus, use the escalator or elevator when going up/down the train station and being able to sit on the train since it is about 45-minutes ride.  Same luxury is always hoped when going home.

In my previous related post, I talked about how the escalators especially those that are on the train stations are being abused. If only we can follow how the Japanese uses the escalators then it will somehow lessen the burden thereby prolonging the serviceability of the escalators. Allow commuters who want to use the escalators that are in  hurry to pass instead of waiting for the elevator to reach the top or bottom.

As of yesterday, one each of the escalators on Quezon Avenue and Taft Avenue train stations are not working. Train commuters have no choice except to use the escalators like a stairway or wait for the elevators that can carry only about 7 to 9 persons.

Quite tired for the day and even if I am in a hurry, I opted to wait for the elevators and reserved some of my energy for other chores.

If only we can put some value on these public utilities, more will be benifitted from the services being rendered.

Are You in a Hurry?

It’s been 2 months now since I started commuting by bus, by train and a jeepney from Monday to Friday. That is right. I have to do this everyday to attend classes everyday at UP-IITC. If lucky enough, a fourth ride will take me right at the door of the CSRC building.

With the oil prices rising up practically every month, more and more people are commuting by train. The lineup at the train station is always long but some people don’t seem to be affected. The escalators are always full with people waiting for the time that the steps are on the top or below. This is the time when my mind goes back to the time I was in Japan.

For people who are aware of the Japanese practice, they know what I am talking. In japan, escalators are common and people are always in a hurry. What I like about their practice is that people who are NOT in a hurry stays on the other side (I forgot whether it is left or right side) of the escalator. The other side is left vacant for people who might be in a hurry and have to move fast.  If  you stay on the fast lane, then, you must move/step-up/step down even if you are on the escalator.

The management of MRT/LRT and even for establishments should start implementing similar policies. 30 to 50 people at a time on the escalators would put too much burden on the machine. If these people can move as the escalator moves, the escalator’s burden is lessened. Even if these are designed to carry such number of people, it would help lengthen the service it can provide to the commuting public.