Of 2-Day Strikes and Strike Outs

PISTON had their say, their spokesman claimed to represent the interests of drivers, operators AND ... believe it or not ... commuters.

Now, what do we - the commuters - have to say?

Here's my piece of mind...

It has been more than 70 years since we gained our independence from the United States, right after World War II. It has also been more than 70 years since enterprising Filipinos first started transforming World War II jeeps into passenger jeepneys.

70 years.

Let that sink it. A baby born that time is now an elderly way past retirement age, with grandchildren and grand-grandchildren of his or her own.

Over the last 70 years, have jeepneys changed?

Well, we installed roofs on them, lengthened their bodies, put artwork on them and installed ear-cracking sound systems in them. Outside of that, not much really... in over 70 years

Filipinos are taller now, and the pace of life is much faster. What do we get?

Let me count the ways:

• Single entry and exit. Waiting for passengers to go down, slowly and carefully (or your head would hit the ceiling) before other passengers come in is now a total waste of time.
• Low ceilings. I'm 5'9" and so are millions of others. Stooping down each time we move into and out of a jeepney while wearing our office clothing doesn't feel good anymore.
• Driver behaviors. You'd think their mission is to get you to your destination late, dizzy and annoyed. Greenlight's on, and they're still not running. Once running, they stop at every opportunity. When you get off, they let you get off in the middle of the road.

Suffice it to say this time that jeepneys have not caught up with the times, while other modes of transportation do.

It's time for jeepneys to evolve and, I sincerely believe, commuters won't mind helping them upgrade!

Let me tell you why I say that...

• If the proliferation of UV Express all over Metro Manila is to be an indication, yes, commuters are willing to pay more IF the service is good.
• If the recent surge of Point-to-Point buses is to be another indication, yes, there is even more money available from commuters IF the service is good.
• If the success of Uber and Grab were to be an indication, oh yes, commuters won't mind paying more IF the service is good.

Here's what would happen, it's either they stop organizing 2-day strikes and cooperate, or they'd be stricken out... by the commuters they claim to represent.

That's slowly happening to beat up Metro Manila buses, fit for people the size of Hobbits, as point-to-point buses become the norm. People ride in those buses because they like them better.

That's slowly happening to beat up taxis, as Uber and Grab become the norm. People ride in these cars because they like them better.

That too would happen to beat up jeepneys, as the new and modern transports launch and slowly become the norm. People will ride in these modern transport vehicles because people would like them better.

Embrace change, cooperate... or be stricken out. That's the law of nature.