Reasons to Taxi Ourselves
Though this mode of transportation also has its cons, these reasons prove that taking the cab is still worth it (even when you’re not in a hurry or unfamiliar with the destination):
1. Pollution. If it’s just a matter of taking 1-2 jeepney rides where the loading areas are fairly accessible (e.g. no need to pass by the longest overpass in the Philippines), then I wouldn’t mind taking this route everyday going to and coming from work. But if you’re like me who has to travel an average of 1 hour and 30 minutes with 3 jeepney rides, then the hazards of exposure to environmental elements are severely increased. An office colleague shared about her experience of being often hospitalized after doing the long commute for a year (from Eastwood to Fairview). Smoke belchers, cigarette smokers, and other pollutants put our health at stake. Costly, yes, but you can also think of your taxi fare as an investment.
2. Comfort / Space Issues. If you have a strong notion of a personal bubble or low tolerance for people with invasive tendencies, then just spend 6x your jeepney transportation cost riding the cab instead. During summer months, it is also common to encounter body odor or sweaty passengers who do not mind rubbing elbows with you. We might also have to contend with sharp plastic envelopes and other seemingly deadly weapons.
3. Time saver. With more focused drivers and no stopovers or long wait time, we’ll reach our destination earlier and even have time to relax before work starts. What’s more: You can do your retouch and fix some other things while inside the cab. It is just unethical/unsightly to comb your hair or apply face powder while in the jeepney.
4. Hairdo preservation. Remember the TV ad for a shampoo brand that says “Mahangin ba sa labas”? Come to think of it, riding the cab would help lessen the possibility of a bad hair day. ;-)
Take this from someone who has almost always chosen to take the jeepney / bus even for long travels. In a way, I’ve written and thought about the above reasons to also convince myself ― That it might not be wise to just choose what’s cheap or affordable for now. But it’s also a risk, keeping in mind that you are not spared from criminal elements, efficiency and comfort issues when you choose one over the other. Modus operandi, broken engine, inefficient air conditioning systems, and rude drivers are just some of the problems that we might experience when riding the cab.
1. Pollution. If it’s just a matter of taking 1-2 jeepney rides where the loading areas are fairly accessible (e.g. no need to pass by the longest overpass in the Philippines), then I wouldn’t mind taking this route everyday going to and coming from work. But if you’re like me who has to travel an average of 1 hour and 30 minutes with 3 jeepney rides, then the hazards of exposure to environmental elements are severely increased. An office colleague shared about her experience of being often hospitalized after doing the long commute for a year (from Eastwood to Fairview). Smoke belchers, cigarette smokers, and other pollutants put our health at stake. Costly, yes, but you can also think of your taxi fare as an investment.
2. Comfort / Space Issues. If you have a strong notion of a personal bubble or low tolerance for people with invasive tendencies, then just spend 6x your jeepney transportation cost riding the cab instead. During summer months, it is also common to encounter body odor or sweaty passengers who do not mind rubbing elbows with you. We might also have to contend with sharp plastic envelopes and other seemingly deadly weapons.
3. Time saver. With more focused drivers and no stopovers or long wait time, we’ll reach our destination earlier and even have time to relax before work starts. What’s more: You can do your retouch and fix some other things while inside the cab. It is just unethical/unsightly to comb your hair or apply face powder while in the jeepney.
4. Hairdo preservation. Remember the TV ad for a shampoo brand that says “Mahangin ba sa labas”? Come to think of it, riding the cab would help lessen the possibility of a bad hair day. ;-)
Take this from someone who has almost always chosen to take the jeepney / bus even for long travels. In a way, I’ve written and thought about the above reasons to also convince myself ― That it might not be wise to just choose what’s cheap or affordable for now. But it’s also a risk, keeping in mind that you are not spared from criminal elements, efficiency and comfort issues when you choose one over the other. Modus operandi, broken engine, inefficient air conditioning systems, and rude drivers are just some of the problems that we might experience when riding the cab.
