Bus Rider

I have spent approximately 12 hours on the bus since I started work last week. It is quite possible that I have spent more time on the Hillsbus these past few days than I have in Manila buses over the past fifteen years. I am not complaining, mind you; I am simply stating a fact.

The hour's trip is not bad at all. The bus is clean and comfortable. There is sufficient light and airconditioning. The ride is fairly straightforward. I take the bus at a nearby street and get off very near the office building. Of course I still have to figure out why there are instances when the bus driver announces that it is the last stop when I want to get down one or two stops away. Fortunately, I have been dropped off at places where I can find my way to work. Little do these drivers know that I've been to this part of the city a total of 8 times -- 6 times to report to work and twice for the 2 job interviews I've had. (I just have to remember not to fall asleep on the bus because if I miss my stop, I'm in big trouble!)

Apparently, Manila does not have a monopoly over traffic. The roads and freeways of Sydney get filled with cars during rush hour. It is surely a blessing to be riding a bus. Aside from sparing you the trouble of driving, getting stuck in traffic, getting lost, and/or looking for parking, riding the bus enables you to arrive within minutes of the estimated travel time plus you have the luxury of reading a book, going to sleep or watching the scenery go by. (There would be times when you have to stand, of course, but that is a small price to pay to get to work on time.)

All this is made possible because of the bus lane. I just have to say that I love the bus lane. Let me rephrase that -- I LOVE the bus lane here.

The bus lanes here really work. With the aid of the bus lane, buses are able to keep their schedules and provide reliable transport to a lot of people. Students and workers alike take the bus everyday. I would say that most of the people who take the bus actually have cars at home but still opt to take the bus anyway.

I am looking forward to the 18th of April. At the moment, I spend $12.60 per day to commute to the city and back. The 'press release' is that MyZone would save me $16 per week! (Oh, the things I could do with that extra $64 per month!)