Taking the train to and from work everyday - how convenient for you?
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
Philippines
January 27, 2012 10:19pm CST
Hello! everyone, i am just a simple employee earning a little higher than minimum wage and i commute to and from work everyday. I usually leave home at six in the morning so i could catch up the train while it is not full packed yet. Unfortunately times have changed already since the mushrooming of the call centers here in the Philippines, train commuters have more than tripled everyday. Taking the train for me is like a torture. Every time i get to the station, the queue to the platform is very long from both directions already. It would take about 30 to 45 minutes before i could get to the platform to get on the train. Going up to the platform is like you are in a wrestling bout.
You have to be strong physically because you can be pushed from both sides and most of the times when i get home i could see hematomas or in my arms and my back. There was even a time i got punctured by something sharp and i went out bleeding at my thigh. Most of the time, i get infected by cough and colds because most passengers does not even bother to cover their cough and sneeze. Inside the train passengers standing are really stuck to each other that you could not move anymore. The perspiration of the person beside you is already your perspiration and imagine when they cough or sneeze, i could feel my hair blown from the back.
Many times already i was pushed to the wall of the train and cannot move, oh my. Sometimes i just laugh but i could say that everyday is a miserable day for me taking the train to and from work. Moreover, there are times too that the trains just stop between stations and will not move anymore. Most of the trains are defective and the government has not done anything to replace those trains eversince.
I have no other choice because bus fare here is higher that the train and traffic is worst. How about you? Are the trains in your country provide good service?
You have to be strong physically because you can be pushed from both sides and most of the times when i get home i could see hematomas or in my arms and my back. There was even a time i got punctured by something sharp and i went out bleeding at my thigh. Most of the time, i get infected by cough and colds because most passengers does not even bother to cover their cough and sneeze. Inside the train passengers standing are really stuck to each other that you could not move anymore. The perspiration of the person beside you is already your perspiration and imagine when they cough or sneeze, i could feel my hair blown from the back.Many times already i was pushed to the wall of the train and cannot move, oh my. Sometimes i just laugh but i could say that everyday is a miserable day for me taking the train to and from work. Moreover, there are times too that the trains just stop between stations and will not move anymore. Most of the trains are defective and the government has not done anything to replace those trains eversince.
I have no other choice because bus fare here is higher that the train and traffic is worst. How about you? Are the trains in your country provide good service?3 people like this
10 responses
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
28 Jan 12
You don't have to be in that situation the rest of your life. Why don't you try finding work near your house? Or if not, find a lodging house near your workplace so you don't have to go through this ordeal. You can actually change things for the better. It is all up to you really.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Yes, you are right cutie, there are times i feel desperate when i see the pile of people waiting for the train. I have thought about that already but i have a daughter who still needs me. Our house is near her school and i could not bring her with me. I could not change work also because i am in my fifties already and i don't think other companies will prefer me. Besides, i love my work and i am in the upper management level already. So maybe i will just have to adjust my time, say, leaving home early and staying in the office late to avoid the rush hour. Just a little sacrifice until i retire.
Good Day cutie!
Good Day cutie!@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Opps! sorry, not upper management, i mean i am a supervisor and working in a foundation providing reproductive health services. Our salary scale is lower compared to industrial companies that is why i receive a pay only a bit higher from my staff, but i love my work, helping mothers and other women. I cannot afford to buy a car so i will just endure the stress taking the train to and from work.
@sjvg1976 (41281)
• Delhi, India
28 Jan 12
Hello triplejazzm51,
This is the reason why i am not changing my present job in spite of getting good job offers from various companies.The present company is just 14 Kms away from my home and transport facility is good enough for me to commute
.I remember the previous job was as similar to yours as i used to wake up at 6 in the morning and used to leave home at 7
.There in the way bus used to stuck in traffic jams for hours daily that was really frustrating and its bit of relax since i joined this present job.
.I remember the previous job was as similar to yours as i used to wake up at 6 in the morning and used to leave home at 7.There in the way bus used to stuck in traffic jams for hours daily that was really frustrating and its bit of relax since i joined this present job.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Hi! sjvg nice of you having a job near you, you see 6 years ago i was assigned in one of the branches of our organization that is nearer my place but i was promoted and now assigned to the main office. I really don't have a choice but to make some adjustment in my waking hours in the morning to be able to take the train at the time when there is still less passengers. Maybe i will stay late in the office to avoid the rush hour in going home. I don't think our government can add more trains at this time, though i am sure that the train management earn millions of pesos per day.Sometimes i just laugh my experiences in the train away, so i am not stressed out early in the day. Thanks.
Sometimes i just laugh my experiences in the train away, so i am not stressed out early in the day. Thanks.
.May be you can save lot of time and can go to your home on the week ends.
@ayumitakashi (4462)
• United States
29 Jan 12
Taking the train to and from work everyday is very convenient for me because it's cheaper than owning a car. Living in NYC it's also better to just take the train; even though you do tend to meet some crazy people on the train sometimes. I guess one of the reasons why I like to take the train is because of all the different people that I get to see on the train, some of them make me laugh and I guess some of them do inspire me in my writings.
The negatives of the trains here in NYC is that they keep raising how much we have to pay but the service does not get better. First of all a lot of the stations are just plain dirty and are filled with garbage. Second of all there are a lot of service disruptions but this doesn't happen as frequently to me, because of the train that I take is not as bad as what some other people go through. But all in all I put up with all of this is because it's chaper and more convenient for me to get to both of my jobs.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Hi! ayumi, the trains here in the Philippines is also clean but the air-conditioning system is not good. It cannot make one car of the train cool, maybe because a car of the train is always full packed especially during rush hours. With regards fare cost, the amount is reasonable,better than riding buses. The only problem with trains here is that more trains become defective and cause delay in our travel to and from the office. Also, passengers are increasing year after year because of the mushrooming of call centers and hiring more people from different parts of the country, thereby increasing the population in the city. Of course taking the train is more convenient because there is no traffic but some passengers are unruly and train transport system is not commuter friendly. I hope the management will look into improving its services one day.
@notmuchofablogger (189)
• Philippines
28 Jan 12
Since I am also from Philippines and an avid train passenger (just because I have no choice), I can relate so much with your discussion.
I have seen the train system from other countries and I must say we are really lacking behind in terms of technology. Though it is not a surprise since our government rarely invests on infrastructures that are REALLY important, I was kind of shocked by how far other countries have surpassed us. They have bullet trains for crying out loud and what we have are crappy, rusty, inconvenient trains that let their passengers be sandwiched like sardines.
I have collected a number of awful experiences I had when I am boarding the train but the worst of them all is when a guy try to cop a feel on my back. The thing is, he did not used his hands, he kind of thrust his pelvis into my butt the whole time I was in the train. I try to free my body from him but he was persistent to take advantage of me.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Yes, we really have no choice, and that is a very maniacal experience you had. It's good there is a passenger segregation nowadays that females can stay in separate cars than the males, but sometimes you cannot avoid entering the cars for males if you are really in a hurry. One time i did, i have to beat the closing door of the train and i entered the nearest car which is for the males. One man offered me a seat but i declined because i want to stand at the door side so when it opened i can easily exit. He did not returned to his seat instead he stayed behind me as if guarding me from other men when the passengers become crowded.It was so nice of him, i hope more men are like that but nowadays seldom you could find such anymore. We just have to be prepared always on what awaits us in the train everyday. Good luck to us!
. It's good there is a passenger segregation nowadays that females can stay in separate cars than the males, but sometimes you cannot avoid entering the cars for males if you are really in a hurry. One time i did, i have to beat the closing door of the train and i entered the nearest car which is for the males. One man offered me a seat but i declined because i want to stand at the door side so when it opened i can easily exit. He did not returned to his seat instead he stayed behind me as if guarding me from other men when the passengers become crowded.It was so nice of him, i hope more men are like that but nowadays seldom you could find such anymore. We just have to be prepared always on what awaits us in the train everyday. Good luck to us!
@rubbershot (173)
• Kenya
28 Jan 12
I take the train to and from work everyday and i find it quite convinient. The traffic into the city is crazy, takes two hours into and out of the city. The train takes thirty minutes.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Hi! rubbershot, i can't deny that the taking the train is more convenient for the same reasons as you. I don't have a choice too considering other forms of transportation here. I just have to get used to the everyday harassment and also to be prepared always for the worst. Good luck to us.
and also to be prepared always for the worst. Good luck to us. @jessmess (35)
• United States
30 Jan 12
My town does not offer much of public transportation, so I'm stuck driving to work. We barely have much of a bus system either. The downtown area has bus stops, but the suburbs are not included. It is not a long commute to my work, but there are times where I would rather have public transportation in my city.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
You're lucky jessmess, how i wish i could stay in a place like yours. I understand that owning a car is a necessity there, i am sure driving a car in your place is very convenient because the streets are not crowded with public transport of all sorts.Here in the Philippines we have the public utility Jeepney, buses-with permits and without, taxis, and SUVs turned into public transport vehicle. Just imagine, all of these are fully loaded with passengers everyday. You could see how densely populated we are. That is why i don't have a choice but to take the train. Besides, changing jobs is not already advisable at my age. Anyway, i just have to make adjustments in my schedule. Thanks and regards.
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
28 Jan 12
In my early days of work I used to go by train to work, I heted it and then when I got my car I transfered to another area so I could drive to work, I couldn't see the point in paying for a car, registration, insurances and such and not to be able to use it.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Yes, besides, in my country traffic is really terrible and its is impractical to use a car. It is like rush hour all throughout the day.Actually i am considering transferring to a place near my office but i cannot at this time. I have a daughter to take care of and our place is nearer to her school. Maybe when she finished her college studies and that would be three years from now.
Actually i am considering transferring to a place near my office but i cannot at this time. I have a daughter to take care of and our place is nearer to her school. Maybe when she finished her college studies and that would be three years from now. 
@flowerfest08 (1677)
•
28 Jan 12
hi:)
I also take train going to school, it's more convenient than riding a bus because it's so traffic within rush hour. but the only problem with train is too crowded but I still prefer it than bus or jeepney.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Yes, taking the train is more practical than taking the bus, that is why i chose the train in going to and from the office everyday. But some passengers are so ill mannered that most of them do not consider other passengers. Sometimes, they can hurt others by pushing to be able to get ahead. There is another train here that has better service but it is not going to the direction where i work. Anyway, i have to make do with this kind of transportation system because it is still the most convenient despite the bad incidents. I only hope that someday their services will improve. God Bless!
@heartbit (237)
• Philippines
28 Jan 12
i know how this feels. i rode the train only a few times and i don't ride it again unless i really have to. i take bus going to university. its more convenient. sometimes i ride the unairconditioned bus if im short of allowance. and it is still more preferable than train.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
Yes, if my place of work is near, i would rather take the bus than the train. But it is quite far and the bus has to pass by the area where traffic is really worst. They stay there for longer period to wait for more passengers and it delays the trip all the more. Buses without air-conditioning system is really better but it is still affected by traffic in the area i mentioned earlier. This is one of our immediate problem in our country that the government should give attention to first because this can be solved also immediately. Anyway, we just have to be the one to adjust to this not so good situation. Take care on your daily trips to school.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
28 Jan 12
A few years ago,I used to take the train to work at the main office of the company I used to work for. I did the traveling for 2 or 3 days a week. At first I was quite excited to travel by train because of the speed and the lack of traffic. However, I was irritated by the long lines to the cashier where we get to pay for the card. The trains were also full to more than the normal capacity making the travel very uncomfortable. I also find it quite difficult getting out of the train because of the number of people who choose to occupy the space by the exits. These days, if I have to go to the city which is very seldom, I take the bus no matter if it is more expensive. I can watch the TV or sleep if I want to. The trains in our country are quite good but limited. With all the number of people traveling to and fro, the city needs more trains plying the routes especially during the peak hours.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
30 Jan 12
You are right yahnee, that is exactly how i feel in taking the train everyday, though i buy at least two "stored value" tickets so i don't have to go to the teller everytime. Although, if you are not a regular train passenger, you do not have to buy one because the card expires after 3 months.
Yes, we really need more train because commuters are increasing year after year. The sad thing is the government seem no effort on that problem.
