Confused Public Service Definition

I am greatly confused. Is the public transport system a public service or not? In other countries, their governments put so much subsidy and aid to ease up the public transport system. Like in Thailand, a few years ago, it was one of the most notorious countries that has the worst traffic system in the world. But the Thai government being efficient that they are built new infrastructure- this provided its citizens with accessible public transport. In Singapore, they have put public transport schemes to avoid traffic in the city-state.

Here in this country, it seems that the transport system has become a private interest. I will not go macro with the issue on privatization of government assets and all because that will require a different blog entry altogether. I will just keep my beef on the cabs, jeepneys and buses.

The vehicle is not the problem. It’s the driver who’s driving it and the system it revolves in. Our cab system here is probably one of the fakest. Of late, you will see a lot of car models running as cabs especially in Makati. Sure, I mean these cars are really lovely and comfortable but as soon as you step inside (if you’re lucky enough), you will encounter the saddest experience of your life.

Cab drivers have their own sob stories. They are drama queens (or kings) that will put on the drama just to scour money from the passenger. I’m sure that you have encountered at least once from the following “drama schemes” of the annoying cab drivers.

1. Malayo ang pupuntahan mo! Pwede bang humingi ng additional xx pesos.

It escapes me why these drivers have to ask for more money aside from what’s indicated on the fare meter. If the place I was going was very near me, then I wouldn’t have taken his cab, no more, yes?

2. May susunduin pa ko eh (this after stopping and asking you where you’re going)

If you were intent to pick up the passenger you promised to pick up, why on Earth are you still stopping and asking me where I am going? Of all the greedy people, in the world, are you really darn sure that from among the hundreds of people waiting in the street, will someone will really go your way??? C’mon! What sucks more is that we have to pay additional P50 to ask a cab company to pick you up!

3. Ma-traffic ayoko.

Outright, no nothing, no lying- just the plain truth. He just refuses to do the work he does. Just think if we can really just tell our clients this outright, “Ayokong gawin, mahirap yan!”

4. I ask for additional P100. (why?) because there’s no pasahero in that area. (Wala namang pasahero pagdating mo dun. Pahingi na lang ng additional P100.)

Okay, maybe because I’m Chinese and these cab drivers felt that they have struck a gold pot. Maybe their thinking I can’t speak Filipino or something. But are they really thinking that I’m stupid enough to fall for this trick!? I answered back, “hindi ko problema kung may pasaherong naghinhintay duon o wala. Trabaho mo’ng ihatid sa pupuntahan ko. At babayaran kita ng tama. Trabaho mong maghanap ng pasehero at magbabayad sila ng tama.” To which he said, ”additonal lang naman eh"

Feel free to add more. (i don't have enough time to finish this)