A typical day inside a jeepney

Sunday, February 5, 2012

WE ALL know that the jeep is a public transportation preferred by many Filipinos for its inexpensive fare. I have been taking the jeep almost every day and observed some things happening inside such as commuter behaviors, driver's tempers, dispatcher's impatience, flies flying around and others. However, I will just mention a few of what I have observed for fourteen years riding the jeep.

Isn't it very upsetting to see a very long queue whenever you will be taking the jeep? In the morning around 7 a.m., I am greeted by a long line of people who are eager to depart. The line is so long that I was thinking of passing the first two subjects of my morning class until the line subsides. However, as a good student, I opted not to do such.

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In rush hours, around 5 p.m., I try to do something else in school or SM to avoid the long line. Why? Apparently I might be the fortieth person in line standing for hours waiting for the next ride. Additionally, my legs will start to ache after fifteen minutes of standing which is very uncomforting.

Anyway, my main issue here is those who cut the line. They are seemingly brave enough to butt-in and I find it rude and unacceptable. Sometimes, they even use their friends/relatives to help them get ahead in line by making the excuse that they're together.

We can't avoid those commuters who bring many or big plastic bags or boxes that contains food, groceries and the like. Well, I don't blame them for bringing such but it makes the jeep less spacious for others. It can be bothersome for others who will be getting off the jeep if those items are situated before them.

I have encountered a commuter that smells like the gin he or she drank last night and it was very overpowering. There are commuters who, unfortunately, fail to use deodorant or anti-perspirant and sitting beside these commuters is unbearable. Eating inside the jeep is not bad. I rarely eat inside the jeep; however, I see to it that I eat something that does not smell strong so that it won't attract others because I am concerned that the scent will be distracting. The smell can vary from unripe mango soaked in vinegar or fish sauce, cracklings, fries or burger to name a few.

The long untied hair of ladies can be very irritating because the strands start to slap me on the face or at the back of my head. Every time I try to peek at the window, the hair is always blocking my view and getting into my eyes. Men who sit with their legs wide open can be annoying too because it consumes space and makes you decide how to orient or position your own legs.

Whenever no dispatcher is available to collect the fare, you have no choice but to pass it to other commuters to the driver. Some commuters are good and others are just a total snub. The good ones are those who really reach out their hand and pass the fare. Nonchalant or snub commuters totally ignore passing the fare. I don't blame them for their attitude, maybe that's just the way they are.

I have been avoiding entering a passenger jeep whenever I know that I'm the last person to enter because there is a possibility that I will be having a hard time sitting down. This is the most inconvenient situation a commuter will have to go through because there's a high chance that only a quarter of the seat is available to accommodate the butt. I have experienced this twice. All I could do is rely on the handrails, strengthen the endurance of my legs and hope that the jeep will pass on sloped areas for me to squeeze in.

Lastly, the drivers or dispatchers have this 10-10 rule that all 20 persons can fit at the back, neglecting the size of the person. It is annoying when they insist that the jeep is fit for ten on both sides, when in some cases it's obviously not. Not all commuters have the same hip size. They should also take into consideration that there are overweight commuters that occupies some space. It is really very inconvenient if they try to squeeze everyone in knowing that one commuter will be sitting at the edge or quarter of his or her seat. I think that the drivers or dispatchers should give discounts to these commuters who endure this grueling sitting experience since they also paid for the seat.