How come the Metro Manila bus system is very different from that of other countries?

Here are some of th


1. buses stop anywhere rather than the designated stop


2. are not too spread out across the city and instead concentrated mostly on EDSA


3. a conductor who collects the payments and distributes the ticket instead of passengers depositing coins or tapping a reader with a card


4. a single door for entering rather than two doors in A/C buses


5. all seats face forward


6. multiple bus operators rather than a single, centralised operator?

How come the Metro Manila bus system is very different from that of other countries?
The busses stopping everywhere is actually one of the main causes of heavy traffic flows in the Metro. This has been remedied in the EDSA and Makati area by designating the different loading and unloading zones, and by stricter implementation.


They are actually spread out around EDSA, Makati and Taft Avenue, and even in the provinces.


A conductor collecting payments has been the norm ever since. This is actually easier since even if you don't have exact change, the conductor can come over and give you your change back, as opposed to having to look for the exact fare before boarding the bus. Also lessens instances on passengers not paying.


A single door because the conductor usually aids the person boarding, and he can't do that as well if he has to run to and from. But this is usually only on airconditioned busses. The ordinary ones, with open windows, have more doors.


All seats face forward because in some areas, the bus stops are a bit confusing and it would be easier for the passenger to spot his stop if he is facing forward.


Multiple bus operators, because anyone who starts a bus line can do so with proper registration. ^_^
Reply:I'm sorry regarding your observation. To tell you the truth, the Bus system in Metro Manila is obsolete and one of the worst you can encounter in a highly-urbanized metropolis.


Mostly, the bus are old and untidy, the driver %26amp; conductor (maybe 3 out of 4) are poorly train, uneducated, arrogant and most undiscipline individuals you ever encountered.


This is the one of the reason why sometimes I'm not so proud being a Filipino.
Reply:We have never improved our bus system ever. Same old smoke belching buses and when during rush hours we are like packed sardines. Its a miracle we can alight from bus before it runs off.





I hope our bus system will change. Sighhhhhhh.
Reply:The entire land transportation infrastructure is total chaos especially in the Metro Manila and it is not just Buses that you are talking about, its more than that.This is one of the reasons that tourism in the Philippines is lacking behind other Asian Countries. Transportation and pollution is something the government should address and it will take lots of money, education and hard work to make things change to make the country more tourist friendly when it comes to Transportation and air pollution.


Have you noticed that most drivers never stop for Pedestrians? Sometimes it makes me feel that some people have no value for other people's life! Why is it that a driver have the right of way even if someone is crossing the street? Common sense all what it is...
Reply:Remnants of Marcos's make work projects. Give more jobs to the followers.
Reply:i know! plus when you are driving bus drivers will really annoy you coz they are so awful drivers without any discipline. probably not all but most are.
Reply:The points raised by the asker are sensitive, logical and should be considered seriously by the MMDA as well as the Land Transportation authority.





Scarlet's refuting some of the points are polished, precise and admirable.





As to the difference with other countries, the asker should see Jeddah.





I lived in Jeddah for four-five years. Big buses exists, 2 doors, and have schedules.


They're not that popular with expatriates, especially Pinoys. We prefer the smaller ones. Reminds us of crowded mini fares in the towns and provinces of the islands. No aircon. No conductor. When you have to stop, you shout: Al Ajam! (To the side please) In Riyadh, you say "Nasil". Now, while we were in Jeddah, one Pinoy engineer who was a newcomer shouted "Para Diyan!" Sounds the same as Al Ajam, and the driver did as expected.
Reply:because filipinos are so NOT supportive of change.





the bus system in metro manila have always been like that since anyone can remember. %26amp; even if the appropriate agency would try to change any of these to give some sort of sanity at least, it would probably be a herculean task, so they do not try anything.





metro manila motorists %26amp; pedestrians are just so used to all that %26amp; it will take a good strong leader %26amp; proper implementation %26amp; motivation to effect a change.





i remember when metro manila had those love buses in the 70s and 80s which were operated by mmda i believe, where people would wait at designated stop signs, get in line to board, pay the bus driver--no conductors, go sit down %26amp; get off at a designated stop, just like the mrt %26amp; the lrt. but when their operations folded up, when fuel prices skyrocketed %26amp; when public bus transport were given to private companies, metro manilas started to be at the mercy of these %26amp; other bad business practices of private bus operators.





but the love buses were all so organized but sadly the fares were more expensive %26amp; probably those are the reasons-- expense, polical will %26amp; the people in general.





but i do hope we can see some changes for the better.
Reply:I believe there are two main reasons for this. First, lack of discipline from passengers and drivers themselves. Second, lack of capital from investors/operators to purchase some of the latest PUB out there in the market.
Reply:YOUR COUNTRY HAVEN'T FULLY DEVELOPE YET.