The Free Fare and Modernized Transportation
Since the Covid19 pandemic started, a lot of things has changed. I remember two years ago, we used to ride the ordinary bus or jeepney. It's hot because we depend on the air we're getting from the window. We got to ride in air-conditioned buses but it's rare. During rush hours, the bus or jeepney drivers and their fare collectors doesn't care if it's very full. They wait for several minutes to fill up with passengers. Even buses or jeepneys are too old, that they're dangerous already for use.
Recently, there are a lot of changes in our roads. The old kind of jeepney began to appear less in our roads. At first, I've been thinking that our jeepney is part of our country's culture but as they modernize our transportation, such part of our culture will begin to become extinct in our roads. It might have been great if the old design was retained, but it is more modern inside like air-conditioned, and we can stand compared to the old one which our spines will be affected.
As modernized jeepneys began to appear in the roads, I began to appreciate it though. It is more spacious inside, and it is air-conditioned. It even runs faster than the old one, and its machine sounds more quiet.
What's more fun is the program of the government which is free fare or "libreng sakay". It started our few months ago, and the program should have lasted a month ago. However, the current administration decided to extend it until the end of June. Yes, it will be until the end of President Rodrigo Duterte's term as our country's president.
To be honest, the program is very helpful to many which included me and my wife. As we are gradually going back to our usual activities two years ago, we became beneficiaries of "libreng sakay" because we got to save more than $2 in a back and forth trip.
Aside from the free fare, it's very comfortable for passengers because it is air-conditioned, and they will not wait for passengers. Chance passengers will just do a gesture when taking the ride, and when the seating capacity was reached, they will not stop to load more. Yes, a standing passenger is not allowed. Thus, they make sure that the passengers are comfortable during the trip.
When I read the comment section of a news site regarding the free fare, there are some people complaining because not everyone benefit from the government's program. There are independent drivers and bus companies who are affected because of the program as passengers prefer and wait for the free ride. Actually, there are some who mirrored the sentiments, probably they are the drivers or the families.
On the other hand, the free fare program is favorable to the majority. The comments at the section has more people positively lauding the government's program. Many of them said, whatever the government will do even favorable to the majority, there will always be complaints.
Of course, I do understand the sentiments of the drivers and operators who are affected by the free fare. Apparently, the program is beneficial to more people. Besides, the free fare program also includes numerous drivers. We got to talk to one of the drivers, and he even said that we, passengers, should thank the current administration for the program, and we should pray that the incoming administration will continue the program for the benefits of the many.
I'm happy with the modernized jeepney because it is comfortable. Besides, there are free fare, and they made sure everyone has the convenience. What some of the drivers should realized is passengers has suffered much riding their old vehicle, and the discomfort commuters has experienced. Besides, the program is not forever. It will last in a certain period, and the complaining drivers will have all the passengers again. What I wanted though is to have my own car, even it's secondhand. That will make my life easier with my wife. Besides, we will use it only when necessary. But crypto prices are down, and my pockets are bleeding too.
