Guys should pay less for Metro train rides
[That's Joma inside a crowded coach of LRT 1 in Manila. We were on our way back to U.P. from attending the Cinemalaya 2006 Film Congress at the Cultural Center of the Philippines]
I don’t usually ride the MRT and LRT since I live just a jeepney ride away from the university. Last week though, I commuted almost everyday on both.
I wouldn’t usually have any problem with women having their own exclusive coach. It’s true that they are susceptible to sexual harrassment in a crowded train. But it doesn’t feel right whenever everyone else gets really cramped up inside the other coaches and other commuters can’t get into the train anymore, while the female-exclusive first car is half empty while there is considerable space for commuters left in the first coach. Hell, everyone pays for the same fare, I don’t see why the ladies should have an added privelege over everyone else. It rests on the assumption that only women get harrassed inside crowded trains–which is absolutely untrue!! The MRT and LRT should charge women more for their added comfort. Or better yet, charge the guys less for the inconvenience we are forced to bear.
ok ung photo. carry pa rin ni joma ang sumakay sa isang masikip na tren na may kasamang ngiting pang CLOSE UP to FAME. Teka, may dalawang skin head sa likod ni joma. (Hawig ni joma ung crush ko nung hi-school). Ayos!
x________X I’ve never been a big fan of affirmative action either, but in case you’ve noticed, you shouldn’t single out “females” because that car is reserved for females, elderly, disabled, and children (the last three categories being rather gender-free). I don’t know what times you were commuting, but it does get crowded in that SINGLE CAR as well. If you want to pay for convenience, get a cab na lang.
I guess being so harrass-able (cute) has its downsides.
CELENI: right, girl who gets chauffered around
celeni, talaga? i never knew that. ang lagi lang nakapost ay “FEMALE area only” walang elderly, disabled, etc. weird, i didn’t know that. hehehehe
anyway ang sagot dyan (among other things) ay ma-imporve ang buong public transport system in general - with proper government subsidy. LOL. yung di mapupunta sa corruption at electioneering via signboards/cards/etc plastered with presidential slogans and faces hehehehe.
Karl: Ako naman baliktad, nung una kong nakita, akala ko for elderly, children and disabled lang.
And I agree, we need to improve this entire branch of public transport, I hate my MRT card coz it has an ugly face plastered on it.
Victor: Hello, I get chauffered to the MRT station. Gas is a valuable resource. Kar-pow.
I don’t think it’s strictly implemented. The last time I rode an MRT/LRT, I was with my Mom. We didn’t separate.
Yes.. yes… public transpo has never been improved. Bili na lang tayo ng kotse. ^_^
Couldn’t agree more. I always make it a point to stand nearby the door lest I want to be hit right smack in the face by the closing door because of too many people smudging me I can’t get out. Whew.
I don’t like the gender separation in the train lines. Gender equality anyone?
Maybe the better solution will be teaching men to respect women rather than creating a bigger/wider gap.
On Jerick: Good latter point. But it’s kind of hard to do that. I mean you don’t want to make chivalry (ho ho) a societal expectation, but people don’t draw lines on respect either. I don’t know. It’s hard to implement, but I see your point.
true, the gender separation doesn’t really resolve gender issues at the grassroots. it just tries to avoid confrontation.
asiatic neil: the women-only coach is optional, women can still ride the free-for-all-genders coaches.
I know of some actual male sexual harrassment occuring in the MRT… *shudder* Nakakatakot at nakakakilabot! Hahaha.