Do you still ride in jeepneys, buses, tricycles, taxis, pedicabs?

Timo62 Active member

Member since 28 June 2022

Timo62Active member13 July 2022 07:17:49

For about eleven years we rode in jeepneys, tricycles, taxis and buses when here in the Philippines. We saved a lot of money by using all that public transportation. Then, about a year ago, we bought a second hand Honda Odyssey van. The van is far and away better and safer! Pickpocket tried to rob me in a jeepney in Angeles City. https://timotraveling.blogspot.com/2012/07/pickpockets-in-philippines-crime-in.html On one occasion in Manila, in Christmas season, I was with my mother in law. She noticed three young guys get in and sit across from us. She indicated they were bad guys, I put my hand into my sling bag to simulate grabbing for a gun. They exited at the next stop. In a crowd at a bus station in Manila a snatch and grab approached my wife from behind, look around into her face and yanked a necklace off her neck. He then ran back the way we had come from and got away in the crowd. We talked to a couple of police at a nearby Jollibee and told them what had happened. One said "Oh, he probably gave it to his aunt." We offered him a reward and he called us the next day to claim it! We did not give the reward because he only retrieved the small gold plated pendant but not the gold chain. https://timotraveling.blogspot.com/2014/07/avoid-crime-in-philippines.html

Enzyte Bob ViP

Member since 26 October 2018

Enzyte BobViP13 July 2022 07:36:01

4082

For about eleven years we rode in jeepneys, tricycles, taxis and buses when here in the Philippines. We saved a lot of money by using all that public transportation. Then, about a year ago, we bought a second hand Honda Odyssey van. The van is far and away better and safer! Pickpocket tried to rob me in a jeepney in Angeles City. https://timotraveling.blogspot.com/2012 … me-in.html On one occasion in Manila, in Christmas season, I was with my mother in law. She noticed three young guys get in and sit across from us. She indicated they were bad guys, I put my hand into my sling bag to simulate grabbing for a gun. They exited at the next stop. In a crowd at a bus station in Manila a snatch and grab approached my wife from behind, look around into her face and yanked a necklace off her neck. He then ran back the way we had come from and got away in the crowd. We talked to a couple of police at a nearby Jollibee and told them what had happened. One said "Oh, he probably gave it to his aunt." We offered him a reward and he called us the next day to claim it! We did not give the reward because he only retrieved the small gold plated pendant but not the gold chain. https://timotraveling.blogspot.com/2014 … pines.html
- @Timo62

Whenever we go out a family member goes along, we always use Grab or a Taxi. I'm amazed at the traffic here in NCR, once exposed to it, my mind said forget driving or having a car.

Other things involved, I never thought I would live this long, one ride in a tricycle was enough for me (entering/exiting). My wife & I always have one of our stepsons accompany us. They are big for Filipinos and anyone would be making a mistake messing with them.

Years ago I saw an old man on TV from NYC, he had a sign on his back "please don't rob me". After all these years I now understand how he felt.

Timo62 Active member

Member since 28 June 2022

Timo62Active member13 July 2022 07:44:36

@Enzyte Bob Years ago there was a news story of an old man who was carrying two bags of groceries. Punks tried to grab his bags for a second or third time. This time he was carrying a pistol and shot both of them. One fell down dead and the other made it as far as a nearby gas station before he died.

Enzyte Bob ViP

Member since 26 October 2018

Enzyte BobViP13 July 2022 08:12:37

4082

@Enzyte Bob Years ago there was a news story of an old man who was carrying two bags of groceries. Punks tried to grab his bags for a second or third time. This time he was carrying a pistol and shot both of them. One fell down dead and the other made it as far as a nearby gas station before he died.
- @Timo62

Remember Bernhard Goetz? He was attacked by three assailants. So he decided to carry a gun. Then it happened again but four assailants this time and he shot all four of them.

Goetz was arrested and was found not guilty of attempted murder, but found guilty of illegal of firearms possession. One of the survivors was awarded millions in damages in a civil court.

Goetz then declared bankruptcy.

Moon Dog Philippines Advisor

Member since 15 June 2021

Moon DogPhilippines Advisor13 July 2022 08:33:08

950

I rode plenty of jeepneys when I first started visiting the Philippines but there aren't many left in my area. I never had a problem on a Jeepney in Leyte but a guy tried to grab the bracelet from my cousins arm as he was leaving. She put up a good fight and he didn't get her bracelet.

Jeepneys in this area have been replaced by Toyota Hiace vans. I did one van ride since I've been here and it wasn't bad. If I have to go to Cebu I will take a van to the Ocean Jet pier in Ormoc because there is no overnight parking in Ormoc that I know of. If I go to Tacloban I drive the Fortuner because I can park at the airport overnight. I still don't know the cost of the van ride because they were somehow giving free rides to Tacloban for the month of June. It's about a 3 hour journey.

kristopherryanwatson Philippines Advisor

Member since 14 November 2021

kristopherryanwatsonPhilippines Advisor13 July 2022 17:08:45

421

I have been living here in The Philippines for just over 7 years.

For the first few years, i absolutely refused to ride the jeepney for this being one of the many main reason (being robbed). It has just been in the past few years, roughly around 2019, that I have begun riding them and I can comfortably say i am OK to ride the Jeepney. I have learned how to safe guard my personal things on me so that a robbery on myself would not easily be possible, and not once have i myself ever been a victim.

I am not a big guy, but i am reasonably fit for my age. I also have some martial arts training and grew up in a military family (I myself was in the Canadian armed forces for 4 years). I don't intimidate or scare easily at all either.

My sincere apologies to anyone who has ever been a victim in these sorts of circumstances. I'm sure it is a very unpleasant experience.

the best way to protect yourself from such a thing to happen to you is to make sure you're aware of your surroundings at all times, and keep your personal belongings in a bag of some sort that is securely fastened or kept close to your body. merely having your wallet in your front pocket where sneaky and fingers can creep into it for the wallet to be snatched happens more often than you think. ...As you step out of the Jeepney and feel for where you thought your wallet should be, you gasp at the discovery that it is already long gone!

Lotus Eater ViP

Member since 26 June 2012

Lotus EaterViP13 July 2022 20:32:47

1869

I fell in love with Jeepneys on my 2nd visit to the Philippines in 2005 (first visit was regular taxi's due to business meetings.) I was staying at a dive resort in Dauin near Dumaguete with my GF. We were due to meet my UK Filipina neighbours aunt who was a school teacher in Zamboanguita and had invited us to the open air Fish market.

It was a short trip but coming from Dumaguete city the jeepney was fairly full. I'm 6 feet tall and Villa my GF was 5'5" which is tall for a Filipina. Anyway we all crammed in. At the next stop there was an elderly lady probably in her 80's and I thought there is no way she is going to fit in. They ended up 'loading' her horizontally into the jeepney. I lost it. I just cracked up and all the other Filipinos started laughing. A priceless moment which only happens by chance. Unforgettable.

Okieboy Serial expat

Member since 20 October 2011

OkieboySerial expat13 July 2022 22:28:12

659

I ride jeepny, tricycle and motorcycle all the time, I have a motorcycle and go back and forth to pick up things, but I am thinking of selling it I am almost 80 and have been riding motorcycles from age 14, I still have good control but sooner or later you can never tell

stillbiker Active member

Member since 22 May 2017

stillbikerActive member14 July 2022 09:14:17

@Okieboy

Hello Okieboy, Good pm. I'm 81 yo, like you I used to drive a motorcycle, since a teenager, I hate driving a car, because of the traffic, I'm afraid of the rain, I fell many times on steep slopes.

Now I bought an electric car, with plenty of cameras and safety gear, The cost is 12 Php for 100 Km. Take care best regards, Rudy.

coach53 ViP

Member since 17 December 2020

coach53ViP14 July 2022 09:30:13

#10

1564

@Okieboy hate driving a car, because of the traffic, I'm afraid of the rain, I fell many times on steep slopes.
- @stillbiker

But in cars you have some protection in traffic accidents

BEACAUSE of rain I switched from motorbike to car as fast as I became old enough to be allowed to drive one. (( In Sweden its 2 years difference.)) But beside car, I had a motorbike for offroad until rather recently. Not legal, so driven only where there are no police

Moon Dog Philippines Advisor

Member since 15 June 2021

Moon DogPhilippines Advisor14 July 2022 09:52:40

#11

950

I have a Fortuner, a multicab and a tricycle for quick trips to the market or hardware store. I bought the tricycle from my brother in law. I would like to buy a motorcycle but my wife pushes back on that so the tricycle is a good compromise and it's fun to drive. I used it a lot to run the foreman around to pick up supplies during construction projects. We did get some comments about an American chauffeuring a Filipino in a sidecar.

blacksheepjuno Contributor

Member since 30 March 2021

blacksheepjunoContributor14 July 2022 11:56:55

#12

114

Yes, I enjoy riding in tricycles, jeepneys and buses, and UV express. I have used taxis, but they are expensive. I pass on pedicabs.

I live in Calabarzon, and getting around is pretty easy. It helps that I’ve picked up a decent amount of Tagalog. Speaking to filipinos in their own language immediately gets them more favorable to you. Most foreigners here don’t bother to even try, from my experience. Haven’t had a problem with crime since I left the NCR. Even though I have a car, many times I just enjoy the experience.

Every once in a while, I just stop and marvel that I’m living halfway around the globe from where I was raised. Here I am, a senior, and NOW I’m living the adventure of my lifetime! It always brings a smile to my face.

Now if only Coach 53 and Enzyte Bob would strap on some gloves and climb into the ring on a pay per view, instead of constantly bickering here in the forum, my twilight years would be heavenly, lol. Just joking, gents!

Okieboy Serial expat

Member since 20 October 2011

OkieboySerial expat15 July 2022 03:26:19

#13

659

@Moon Dog I had a sidecar on my motorcycle about 8 years ago and it was convenient , but my son started driving and hit everything he could so I sold it

GuestPoster254 Guest

GuestPoster254Guest15 July 2022 04:33:28

#14

Before the pandemic, I occasionally rode jeepneys. It's convenient for short trips and when going to places with very little to no parking (like the bank). It's not the possibility of getting robbed that scares me. It's crossing the street that I dread more.

Cherryann01 ViP

Member since 19 October 2018

Cherryann01ViP15 July 2022 09:56:49

#15

1235

When I go to see my girlfriend I have ridden in Jeepneys, motorised tricycles, local buses, etc but I must admit I feel more comfortable in a good old fashioned taxi for longer journeys. Last time I visited we used a particular taxi driver for a day trip at a reasonably cheap rate so used him several other times. We booked him one day to take us from Cagayan De Oro to Tinago Falls near Illigan City. I think I paid 3000 pesos for the trip and just let the driver share with us our lunch and soft drinks that we had purchased in Illigan.