I have lived in Metro Manila for 12 years now. Before that, I spent my childhood, and my entire teenage life in a small town about 150 Kilometers outside of Metro Manila. Moving here was an overwhelming experience because its easy to get lost in a city with 12 million people living in it. Like any densely populated city in the world, public transport is essential. My passion is to try to take public transport to every city that I visit, and hopefully, one day, I can contribute to making our public transport system in the Philippines more efficient.
I hope this guide could help people who are visiting, or will be working and living here in Metro Manila. First, let me give you the public transport options in Metro Manila.
TRAINS (METRO RAIL, LIGHT RAIL)
Currently, there are 3 metro rail lines that serve Metro Manila. The MRT3 Line, that runs from North to South along EDSA, The LRT1 that runs North to South as well, but serving the western part of Metro Manila, and the LRT2 line that runs from East to West. There is also another train line called the PNR that serves commuters from the old Manila area to Makati, Alabang, and other adjacent provinces.
I know, I know, 3 Metro Lines for 12 Million people is not enough, but there are plans to expand these lines, and some of them are already in construction.
The MRT7 is currently under construction,and will connect with both the MRT3 and the LRT1 via a common terminal at the North Avenue Station. This line will serve the Northern part of Metro Manila, as well as the adjacent provinces like Bulacan, reducing the travel time significantly. There is also a Subway Project that will link the Northern part of Metro Manila to the NAIA airport (Yes, the existing lines are not connected to the airport yet, but will soon be connected in the coming years. The airport can be reached via the airport bus called Ube Express)
The map of the rail lines will show you key destinations that you might want to visit if you only have a short time in Metro Manila. However, I advise you to avoid traveling during rush hours (6AM to 9AM, and 5PM to 8PM), because all of the public transport options are filled with commuters, and traffic jams will make your travel time significantly longer than usual. If you are living and working here. Most people eat out, watch a movie, go to the gym, while waiting for the peak hours to be over.
BUSES
Buses usually serve the commuters getting of from the rail lines, to the nearest bus stops to their homes. However, as mentioned before, the trains are insufficient that is why buses also travel along the train routes.
Public Metro Manila buses are categorized into 3. Bus A, B, and C. You can tell which bus is which by checking the round, color coded sticker prominently displayed in front of the bus. Basically, Buses A and B are skip buses, they skip certain stops, making your travel time faster. Bus C on the other hand, will stop at ALL bus stops, making it the slowest travel option. However, if you are unsure which bus stop is the correct one, you can ask the bus driver first, check the routes displayed on their windshield (but sometimes this is inaccurate so its best to ask the driver) or you can just take the Bus C.
I have attached an infographic by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Rappler.com to help you identify the correct bus and bus stops.
There is another bus option in Metro Manila called Point to Point Bus (P2P), which connects major shopping centers and business districts. However, their routes are being updated frequently (some does not operate during Sundays and holidays) and it is best to check with the P2P terminals for the most updated routes and bus fares. In the future, the P2P buses will have its integrated terminal at the Ayala Center Makati. I will update you once its completed.
JEEPNEYS
The Jeepney’s design is a modified version of the jeeps that came from the Americans during their colonization. Early Filipinos found a way to use the jeeps that were left behind by the US when the Philippines gained independence. However, some of the Jeepneys are old, and some of them arenot road worthy. There were efforts from the government to modernize the current Jeepneys, making them electric, and energy efficient. There were hundreds, even thousands of Jeepney routes in Metro Manila, and its really hard to identify all of it, but they usually display their routes at the windshield, painted on the side of the body, and there is usually a barker (a person who shouts the route of the jeepney). If you’re unsure if your Jeepney is the correct one, just ask the driver, fellow passenger, or the barker.
TRICYCLES
Tricycles are motorcycles attached to a modified metal body, designed to carry 3 to 5 passengers. Tricycles usually travel in short distances compared to the other options, and they are usually taken by commuters who live farther from their drop off point. Fares vary based on route and location, you can ask the driver to confirm the fare before riding.
TAXI
There are a lot of taxis in Metro Manila, and they are cheap. Fares start at Php 40 (about US$ 0.80) and will increase based on your destination. If you’re traveling from the airport, the Airport taxis are the best option (solid yellow taxis), and they charge Php 70 (US$ 1.30) and will increase based on your destination.
GRAB
Grab is the Uber of South East Asia. We used to have Uber, but they decided to pull out of the region last April of 2018, and bought shares of Grab instead. You can download the Grab app on your smartphone to book a ride. However, this is also the most expensive option. Fares go up depending on the demand, and the traffic situation. You can also book a Grab to and from the airport.