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

1. You are given two hours within the system to reach your destination, i.e. exit from another station, after which you will be charged an extra fee of Php 15 at the LRT 1 and Php 12 at the LRT 2.
2. To maximize your Php 100 stored value card, try to consume till only Php 25 is left, take a couple of short rides, i.e. Php 24, so that you can use Php 1 for a long ride, i.e. Php 15, which would mean a savings of Php 14.
3. Even though it’s in Manila, it’s curious to note that the river that the LRT 1 crosses to and from the Central Terminal and Carriedo stations is called the Pasig River.
4. The Marikina and Pasig rivers are actually one continuous river that empties into the sea, so basically, the MRT and the two lines of the LRT are crossing the same river that winds through Metro Manila.
5. If you’re northbound in the Ayala station during the peak hours of going home, i.e. 6-8pm, you might want to consider going southbound first all the way to the Taft station, then stay onboard as the driver transfers to the other end of the train to go northbound. It will not cost you anything but your time.

6. In general, the stations that have crossovers or center platform exits will allow you to transfer to and from northbound and southbound trains at no extra cost.
7. So far, the ones I’ve noted that have center platform exits are—MRT- Shaw/Boni/ Buendia stations and the LRT 2 – Santolan station.
8. If you’re bringing packages or boxes, it’s advisable to have them ready to be inspected, i.e. not wrapped or taped, because you will be asked to open them by the security personnel.
9. The underground stations are—MRT-Buendia/Ayala stations and LRT2- Katipunan station.
10. The single journey ticket must be used on that same day.

11. If you constantly use all the lines you might want to consider buying the Flash Pass P250 unlimited, which is good for a week.
12. Even though the pregnant, the elderly and the physically challenged are the only ones who are supposed to use the elevators, other people still insist on riding them.
13. I’d rather stand than be seated.
14. While rushing to the boarding platform, if you see people going down the escalators and stairs, most likely the train has left already.
15. It’s a good strategy to stand afar from the crowd to observe the passing train cars in order to assess which ones have more space, and then move to that particular train car, rather than choosing beforehand without seeing the actual conditions.

16. The LRT 1 signs on the train indicate the nearby tourist attractions from each station. For example, if you alight at the Quirino station, you can go to the Manila Zoo and Botanical Garden.
17. I’d rather take the MRT or LRT than a taxi, which usually contains second hand cigarette smoke.
18. The minimum charge on the MRT is Php 10, on the LRT 1 and LRT 2 it’s Php 12.
19. The Chinese cemetery can be easily seen from the LRT 1, and it encompasses such a huge area you will see it while traveling from the Abad Santos, R. Papa and the 5th Avenue stations.
20. The Carriedo station in the LRT 1 exits into Avenida, which is closed to traffic and has been converted into a tiangge.

21. Driving home from Ayala to Cubao in moving bumper to bumper traffic had me wistfully watching the 6-7 trains that passed me by (there were times I couldn’t see the railways so I had to estimate but I definitely saw 6).
22. If you’re a male accompanying a child or female, and you wish to board the female only cars at the LRT 1, you have to stay at the area right beside the entrance to the driver’s station, which is roped off from the rest of the female area.
23. If you’re a senior citizen or a physically challenged person, you may avail of a 20% discount from the Passenger Assistance Office.
24. “Emergency Use Only” translates to “Gamitin lamang sa sandali ng kagipitan.”
25. If you buy a stored value card while you’re still using another one, use the new one immediately so you can be assured that it will be good for 6 months, before resuming the use of your present card.

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