The fact that our public transportation remains a highly debated issue in the big 2026 speaks volumes about its progress. Pinoys often describe the daily commute as ‘dehumanizing,’ and there’s a sinking realization that the grievances of today echo the ones we had five years ago. There’s a lot to unpack, but one thing is clear: commuters are tired of being tired.

1. The erasure of personal space

Before you hit me with “edi mag-taxi ka!” or “bumili ka ng sarili mong sasakyan”—both lazy arguments, by the way—hear me out. People are fully aware that public transportation can get overcrowded, especially during rush hour. However, there’s a thin line between overcrowding and a complete disregard for human dignity.

I’ve been in buses where the conductors keep shoving people in, even though the aisles are already packed with standing passengers. I’ve seen commuters squeeze into the tiniest gaps of cramped jeepneys so that they could get home. Sure, nobody forced these commuters to take the uncomfortable ride, but what other choice do they have in the first place?

2. A society that is perpetually on edge

When long queues and three-hour commutes become the norm, you see why even the slightest inconvenience feels like a breaking point. This isn’t to excuse incivility or lack of discipline, but the state of our public transportation, driven by slow progress, has normalized cutting corners as a desperate response to exhaustion.

3. The zero-sum game

Picture this: drivers want to put food on the table, and commuters want to go home without breaking the bank. Yet, when fare hikes pop in the heat of the commute, how do you navigate the invisible war? For the person behind the wheel, that extra two pesos is a lifeline to offset the skyrocketing cost of diesel. For the passenger, that small increase is a ‘stealth tax’ on their survival. What should be a shared frustration with the system becomes a conflict that affects both of them.

4. A nation of exhausted brilliance

Hobbies keep you sane amid the chaos coming at us from left, right, and center. Yet, those hobbies vanish into thin air when you barely have time to do them. So, is the public transportation system partly to blame?

That depends on how much ‘free time’ you have after you’ve braved the unforgiving Metro Manila traffic—never mind how these delays rob you of time with your family. You’re not just losing hours on the road; you’re losing pieces of yourself that make you feel human.

5. Commuter burnout is real AF

Leave your house early, wrestle with the decades-old traffic, and pray that your post-shift commute isn’t a battle royale. Repeat. This is the sad reality Filipinos are too familiar with, and yes, they’re beyond exhausted. It has now reached a point where commuters are stuck in a constant loop of mental math, calculating the least-broken route.

Getting home on time is starting to feel like a luxury rather than a part of the schedule. Imagine a public transportation system that actually works, instead of one plastered with band-aid solutions.

6. Accessibility feels like a myth

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) often bear the brunt of inefficient public transportation. Narrow escalators, rust-covered footbridges, elevators perpetually under maintenance, and dilapidated sidewalks are exhausting for any commuter. And for those with disabilities, they’re nightmares. Although the government is doing its best to ensure safety and accessibility, is it truly enough?

7. The inevitable rise of a ‘car-centric’ society

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has reported that over 400,000 vehicles traverse EDSA daily, despite its designed carrying capacity of only 300,000. That’s an excess of 100,000 cars contributing to the already exhausting traffic congestion Filipinos have been enduring for who knows how long.

The reality is, many now see car ownership as a better, more comfortable alternative to commuting, even if it means sitting in the same gridlock as the buses and jeepneys. While we can’t stop people from buying cars, the government could provide long-term solutions to prevent Metro Manila from becoming the world’s largest outdoor showroom.

8. Resilient by choice

Pinoys have a knack for finding the beauty even in the dreariest situations, and it’s both a blessing and a curse. We often joke about the hardships of the everyday commute, and the punchlines and memes are wearing thin. Resilience used to feel empowering. But when setbacks and misfortunes come from the same old system, resilience is no longer a virtue, but a mere survival tactic.

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