If you’re a foreigner in the Philippines, traveling within the area (at least in Metro Manila) may appear to be complicated. Sometimes, even if you’re a Filipino but new to a certain place in the area (Metro Manila specifically), you may also have a hard time locating the area you need to go.
First, the country has so many means of transportation (from Buses-Jeeps-FX) and the transportation system isn’t quite easy to understand. We don’t have number coding for Buses traveling certain areas. Instead, we’ve placards placed outside the windshield of buses, FX, and jeepneys. Aside from that, we even have terminals for “colorum” PUV.
Second, considering that there are improvements in our railway transit, ours is way too far compared with other countries. It’s quite unfortunate that we often experience delay caused by insufficient number of trains and even technical problems (most commonly experienced in the old LRT line). We still experience falling in a very long line just to get tickets (even for stored value tickets). We’re not certain of the arrival of trains in each station (except for the purple line, I think). Aside from that, transferring from one railway is quite complicated too. You’ve to purchase another tickets to enter the other line and again fall in line.
Third, we don’t have well managed loading/unloading areas (except for Ayala Ave. I think). While there are pink fences located in some areas (Cubao, MRT North Ave, to name a few I know), rules aren’t strictly followed. While there are designated loading areas for specific route, people tend to bend the rules. For as long as you are within the pink fence, it is fine to fall in line anywhere. Aside from that, such system causes delay in our travel. It takes forever before a bus leaves the loading/unloading area.
Singapore’s transportation system is very much admirable. Anyone (even foreigners) could easily go places and understand the process of transportation in the country. Imagine, from the Airport you can already take the MRT to go to the City. The means of transportation in Singapore is managed by two companies (as far as I know). Lines of the MRT, LRT, and Buses are operated by SBS and SMRT.
It’s even more convenient for a traveler to transfer from MRT to buses simply using the EZ-Link Card. Contrary to the similar magnetic link here in the Philippines (MRT and LRT1 and2) it doesn’t expire in a week’s time. I guess, even some of the Taxis (those operated by the two companies) accept EZ-Link for payment.
It is understandable that the country is very small that’s why it’s able to provide a hassle-free and amazing transportation system.
*Photo taken at Bugis Station Railway Transit East West Line, Singapore
Work in Progress
If you’re a foreigner in the 
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