25 More Things I’ve Learned Riding the LRT & MRT

1. The most visually striking color combination I’ve seen on a building is maroon and orange.
2. You can’t use the same stored value card for two people riding the LRT or MRT at the same time.
3. If you use your LRT 2 stored value card accidentally for the LRT 1, there’s a good possibility that it will be accepted. But, just to be sure that it’s still okay, have your card checked afterwards at the Customer Assistance desk. (This happened to me once.)
4. I am legitimately contributing to the earth’s environment by taking public transportation.
5. Going to and from the stations can be done with jeepneys, in which the minimum fare is P7.50, while students pay P6.

6. 25-centavo coins are hard to come by.
7. Aside from deodorants, hand sanitizers are also a necessity.
8. The LRT 2 seats can comfortably sit 6 people.
9. The stored value cards frequently run out, so it would be best to make sure you buy an extra one ahead of time.
10. Some malls which enjoy increased foot traffic from commuters are: MRT—Shangrila Mall and Star Mall at the Shaw Blvd. station, Shoemart Makati at the Ayala station and Metropoint at the Taft station, LRT 2—Gateway Mall at the Araneta-Cubao station, LRT 1— Metropoint at the Taft station and Ever Gotesco at the Monumento Station.

11. You need to make sure to hold on to something when traveling on the most curvy portions: MRT – to and from the Annapolis and Ortigas stations, LRT 1 – to and from the Central Terminal and Carriedo stations, LRT 2 – to and from the Legarda and Pureza stations.
12. The trains cross rivers at these particular points: LRT 1 – the Pasig River to and from the Central Terminal and Carriedo stations, LRT 2 – the Marikina River to and from the Katipunan and Santolan stations, MRT – the Pasig River to and from the Guadalupe and Boni stations.
13. There are two stations with the same name, the MRT and LRT 2 both have Santolan stations. To avoid any misunderstandings, better say Annapolis-Santolan when referring to the MRT station, or just Annapolis.
14. You can make out the traditional mosque sign of a quarter moon and star a few meters away from the Recto-D Jose station walkway.
15. You can also easily look into the cramped Manila City jail from the walkway.

16. There’s usually a guard to shoo away males from the LRT 1 for females only cars.
17. The loudest screech of brakes that I hear regularly is when the LRT 2 exits the Katipunan underground tunnel.
18. In general, there are no crossovers on the LRT 1. One has to go down to the street level to get to the other side.
19. It’s possible to walk from Greenbelt 3 to the Ayala MRT station using walkways.
20. The small sign on the LRT 2 windows read in English: Train Airconditioned. Do not open. In Filipino it reads: Sadyang Nilagyan ng Aircondition na Pangtren. Huwag Bubuksan.

21. You are given 30 minutes to decide whether to get into a train or not, after which you will be penalized Php 12 if you decide to exit from the same station (this can happen during the peak hours). This rate is for the LRT 2. In the LRT 1, the rate is higher, it’s Php 15.
22. It’s easier to keep your balance by shifting your weight from foot to foot while standing sideways rather than facing front.
23. Despite the short trip on the LRT 2, some people sit on their voluminous bags instead of standing.
24. With commuters holding on to the overhead side rails in the LRT 1, there is an unspoken rule that a small aisle in the center be made available for exiting passengers.
25. The movement of onboard passengers on the LRT 1 when the other commuters exit reminds me of Moses parting the Red Sea.

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