Light Rail Transit
The Light Rail Transit, LRT, a railway on an elevated track, is the most modern and the fastest means of transportation in Metro Manila. It was completed and started operation in May, 1985.
The LRT, also called the Metrorail, runs from Baclaran (Pasay) to Monumento (Caloocan), along Taft Ave in the south, and Rizal Ave in the north. It operates from 4:30 to 22.45. For the total journey, it is the cheapest (3.50 pesos) and quickest (25 min) north-south link in the metropolis.
There are 16 on-line stations placed in high-traffic areas. The regular fare for the Metrorail is 3.50 pesos. There is a reduced fare of just 1 peso when boarding Baclaran-bound trains at Quirino station or later, or Monumento-bound trains at Tayuman station or later.
Ferry Boats
Ferries on Pasig River began operation January 13, 1990 transporting commuters from Guadalupe, Makati to Lawton. The ferry service cuts through the city's east-to-west corridor, Metro Manila's so called central business district, and passes under seven bridges: Guadalupe, Lambingan, Punta, Nagtahan, Ayala, Quezon and Sta. Cruz. The boats have a sitting capacity of 50/60 passengers each. The ferry boat can negotiate the 10-km route in about 30 minutes.
Harbor Connections
To reach North Harbor from the tourist belt one can go either by taxi or by jeep-ney. By taxi it costs 25 to 30 pesos and takes around 15 minutes. By jeepney it costs 2 pesos but may take up to 2 hours because of congested streets. Those who want to go by jeepney, first take one along Mabini St or Taft Ave, signboard 'Divisoria'; at Divisoria they have to take another jeepney, signboard 'North Harbor', going along Recto Ave.
When arriving on a ship at North Harbor, one may take a taxi or a jeepney to the tourist belt. Most taxis standing by at the pier are syndicated. They pay a bribe and "parking fee" for the privilege and do not use meters but charge fixed rates. For a trip to the tourist belt the charge is either 80 to 100 pesos for the whole taxi, or 20 to 25 pesos per person. Jeepneys standing by operate in the same manner and mainly serve locals arriving with a lot of luggage.
However, sometimes taxis which have brought departing passengers and which are hindered from waiting to pick up pas-sengers by the syndicates can be intercepted along the street.
Airport Connections
International Airport Terminal
To get a taxi to the International Airport is generally not much of a problem. Most cab drivers like to drive to that destinations as they expect to make a good deal coming back into town. Taking passengers from the airpost, they will usually try to heftily overcharge their passengers.
When arriving at the International Airport, one has the choice of taking am overcharging ordinary cab from the departure area, or to travel in style with one of the ex-clusive Avis / G & S coupon taxis.
Trying to grab a cab was one of the worst annoyances for the arriving visitor, and once he finally got one, he still had to go through a hassle with the generally abusive cabbie over the fare. Since the transport situation in Manila has become worse in 1989, G & S taxis are a red carpet treatment for the newly arrived visitor.
At the NAIA, the G & S taxi counters are located by the escalator at the arrival area and near the taxi stand right outside Gate 1; they are open between 5:00 and midnight or even later in case of late flights. The fixed point-to-point rates, good for up to four pas-sengers, can be paid in pesos or US$; all ma-jor credit cards or Avis cards are accepted. The brand new luxury cars are all equipped with air-condi-tioning, two-way radios and roof racks for ad-ditional baggage. The G & S taxis may be a little more expensive than the reg-ular taxis (provided you can get one for the regular fare), but are good value, consider-ing the safety and comfort they offer.
Fares including taxes to Pasay, Manila, Makati and Paranaque are between $8.25 and $12.35, to San Juan and Tondo $16.50, to Caloocan, Pasig and Quezon City $19, and $22.70 to $25.75 for destination s like Fairview, Marikina, Novaliches, Tagaytay, An-tipolo or Muntinlupa.
Those who are familiar with Manila and its taxis have the option after arrival to walk up to the de-parture area and grab a cab dropping off pas-sengers but this is advisable only for those who really know their way around and don't have much baggage. The correct fare for a regular taxi to the tourist belt or Makati should be around 50 pesos but it is certainly hard to get a cab for that price at the airport.
For the budget minded Manila visitor, there are also several bus lines connecting the airport to other parts of the city. DMTC buses park to the right of the airport at the foot of the driveway and run down Taft Ave. MMTC buses go to Cubao without touching the tourist belt. The air-con-ditioned Love Buses pass the tourist belt on their way to Quiapo, but it's a circuitous route which goes through Makati.
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