MRT

Not a day goes by when I am constantly reminded of what a big mistake this transport system was. Almost everything about it wrong, ill-designed stations, poorly maintained trains, pathetic management. I remember that from North Edsa to Makati it should only take 15 minutes as the billboard said when the MRT was still under construction. A few months ago they claim that the headway between trains is no more than 5 minutes. So far all I have seen is anguish over broken promises much like what every administration had done in the past with its plans for this godforsaken land. No wonder people think living here isn't getting any better. There is nothing rapid in this supposedly rapid transit system as trains slow down in transit when the train in front is moving slow. The only thing going rapid here is my pulse and my blood pressure shooting up.

So on this particular day I had a disagreement with another passenger who happens to be a bigger person. Since I was first in line which I could guarantee since I make it a point to stand close to the side of the train while it is slowing down to block off anyone who would cut in, I then waited for the people who have to get out. Then as usual I would get in and stay by the door. I counted two people getting out, tough luck slowpokes. I got in but then this guy protest by saying that two people get out. Not that he was consistently saying for the people to move in which no one was paying attention to. He manage to squeeze in for unknown reasons. I for one will not stand this so I ungraciously went out then shoved myself in. Momentum is directly proportional to both mass and velocity and since I am in no way going to win in the massive department, I used my superior speed and some pushing against the closing door as leverage. The door has to reopen twice since it cannot crush my bag in the process but after a final push I got myself in. The man complained about what was the point of getting out and then getting in so I replied I was to get off at Guadalupe station to which he nonchalantly remarked, "So?" To which I quoted his own words and that since he knew two people went out then he MUST get in. Note the keyword "MUST" is to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 (http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc2119.html)

Well it went well after that since he cant throw me out nor make a crossbow and shoot me for lack of apparent work area. He even went further inside the car then more people alighted at Shaw Boulevard station.

What they didn't know was that I was shaking. That was the first time I have experienced it. My left leg was furiously shaking. The involuntary contractions must have annoyed the other guys who were close by. The only option was to lean on the door and shift my weight to the other leg. Curiouser and curiouser. My back also hurts, could there be a connection?

As usual I left profusely sweating, no thanks to the poorly maintained air conditioning which can barely keep all the people cool inside the train. During the time it first ran, the trains were packed as well since some idiot actor slash president wanted it to be free for the first day. But all of the sorry passengers--myself included--was pretty much content since it was cold inside. Imagine what hot and humid conditions inside would do to a persons disposition.

It is really sad to see the trains degrade over the years, silent witnesses to the harsh reality, and how pitiful are the people behind the line who let the system die a little each day. The line may be bad, some of the stations may be too far from the malls or whatnot but that is no excuse to maintain them as such. And when are they going to add more trains? More people are born each minute and more and more would be riding passengers and still no one has the foresight to increase the capacity. No wonder passengers are now segregated. Just like the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program otherwise known as Color Coding Scheme which is no way a more accurate term, this is just delaying the inevitable. What then would the future hold? Well you could bet the farm that there would still be color coding and segregation since there would be more jerks like on the road or on trains. But what would be worse is that there is also the possibility that there would be more people like me. That would be the end of the world as we know it. More annoying people roaming the face of the earth with no people skills that shove themselves in cars. Nooo...