Good day, everyone! Welcome to another Baguio blog series! Don’t worry as this series is already about to end soon and I can finally move on to my other blog topics.
Actually, I am already done writing about the places we had visited. What I will be writing now and to my proceeding blogs are some tips and summary about my trips. So for this blog, I am going to share some tips and honest opinions regarding on taking the public transportation in Baguio City.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
(image source: Pixabay)
Taking the public transport is a very popular mode of transportation. A lot of people use their private vehicles while a lot of people ride public vehicles too. Jeepney, tricycle, taxi, bus, train, etc. These are some of the common public vehicles in the Philippines and are popular options for people who still can’t afford to purchase their own vehicle or for people who are on a tight budget. The fare is far cheaper in contrast with purchasing a vehicle. Plus, you don’t have to stress yourself on driving. But don't get me wrong. Riding the public vehicles can be very stressful too!
For me, I don’t have my own vehicle and I still haven’t applied for a driver's license so there’s no way I could drive. But I can drive (a little) since I took a driving lesson when I was still in college although there’s no way I would dare drive on the crazy roads of Baguio City. Inclined roads are my worst enemies because controlling the clutch is my weakness. (Oh maybe I should write about my driving lesson experience next time!) Anyway, I have accepted that I won’t be driving my own car anytime soon so I have to endure taking the public transportation for most of my travels.
If you don’t have your own vehicle or maybe just afraid to drive uphill, here are the modes of public transportation you should remember when visiting Baguio City.
TAXI
(image source: Pixabay)
Taxicab or taxi is a very comfortable mode of transportation. Tell the driver where you’re going and you’ll be drove exactly where you are headed to. It almost feels like you’re on a private vehicle. But fare is of course a lot pricey compared to jeepney. Flag down rate for taxi in Baguio is Php 35. One taxi driver told us that taxi in Baguio has the lowest flag down rate. Check this link for the latest taxi rate. (Taxi fare hike in Baguio City 2018.)
Riding a taxi is a good option if you have lots of things with you or if you are traveling with a group because sometimes, the cost is cheaper. Taxi calculates the fare according to the distance and length of time, not with the number of passengers.
It is also in Baguio where taxicabs do not use their air conditioner. You’ll be riding taxicabs with windows rolled down all the time. Why do you need to turn it on when the entire city is blessed with a natural cool climate as cool as an air conditioner?
TAXI IS CONVENIENT BUT…
(image source: Pixabay)
Taxi is convenient but getting one during rush hour can drain all your patience. We had experienced waiting 30 minutes to an hour to find an available taxi. Sometimes you'll even give up because there's not a single one available. If the taxi isn’t occupied, most of the time the driver is about to take a break so they don’t pick up passengers. You’ll see them gesture as if they are holding a spoon and fork, then move their hands like they’re eating. Lucky human you are if you could immediately find an available taxi during rush hour. You have been so much blessed by the Almighty Father. Or maybe your stars and the universe have conspired and bestowed the luck on you.
BEST TIME FOR TAXI
I’d say the difficulty of getting a taxi depends on the time and your location. If you’re at the city proper, you could easily ride a taxi between 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. Some would even slow down to ask if you want to take a taxi. It’s also quite easy during night and even at midnight.
(image source: Katsanslimites)
Screenshot from the Grab app when I tried to use the app while in Baguio.
Baguio City also has Grab service which is a more convenient way of riding a taxi. There's also a special car called the Grab Beetle for their frequent customers in Baguio. Wish I could ride the Grab Beetle someday!
JEEPNEY
(image source: Pixabay)
The Philippine jeepney.
Jeepney is the most common mode of public transportation in the Philippines. You can find them almost everywhere. Jeepneys differ in passenger capacity but they are overall praised for its colorful and cool designs. Some even have cool sound systems too to keep the passengers entertained while stuck in traffic.
(video source: moymoypalaboy via Youtube)
How to ride a jeepney. (Note: Some scenes were exaggerated for humor.)
In Baguio, I guess the minimum fare is Php 8.50 since it’s the amount we’ve been charged most of the time. This is a very good option if you are on a tight budget and a great alternative to taxi if you’re just not into spending more for the fare. Although be prepared to get squished as they will make use of every space of the seat to fit in as much passengers as they could.
While jeepneys are very popular and convenient…
JEEPNEYS CAN BE INCONVENIENT TOO
(image source: Pixabay)
Well, a huge part of it was our fault. Taxicabs could be found anywhere and you can just ride one and say where you want to go. Meanwhile, jeepneys have their own specific routes like buses, so you need to find the right jeepney with the route that would pass by your desired destination. And here begins the very unfortunate experiences of mhaiiiself and I with riding jeepneys in Baguio City and La Trinidad.
First was when we’re heading back to Baguio City after visiting Bell Church. We decided to return to the city proper since we couldn’t find an available taxi to take us to Tam-Awan Village. Unfortunately, the jeepneys going to Baguio City during that time were also full. So what we did was ride a jeepney going back to Strawberry Farm to be able to ride a jeepney to Baguio before it gets full. And here comes the problem. The driver forgot to drop us at the Strawberry Farm and we haven't seen the farm’s signage along the way too.
(image source: Katsanslimites)
The exact spot where we got off from the jeepney when we realized we went past Strawberry Farm.
I just realized something was odd when I saw the jeepney already going uphill and a chilly air suddenly whipped on my skin. So we immediately got off before we were taken farther. Luckily, jeepneys returning to Baguio City passes on that road too.
Our second unfortunate experience was finding the jeepney en route to Tam-Awan Village. We had a very difficult time finding its jeepney terminal. (If mhaiiiself gets to read this blog, it will bring her back bad memories for sure.) The lady that mhaiiiself had asked told us that the jeepneys were right after the footbridge. Another lady said the jeepney station is inside the Baguio City Public Market. Indeed, there were really jeepneys inside the public market but it seems like most of the drivers we’ve asked don’t know where the Tam-Awan jeepneys are. They were pointing to different directions that made us very exhausted from walking. We also tried our luck getting a taxi but to no avail, we can’t get one. It took us about 2 hours walking back and forth the market to find the jeepney. Crazy how much time was wasted, right?
The inconvenience it had caused us was huge. We were carrying our heavy backpacks and we still hadn’t eaten lunch. Only a bottle of water we bought inside the market was fueling us up. And I supposed this is where my allergic rhinitis got triggered too. I was talking to my friend when a jeepney suddenly accelerated beside us blowing lots of smoke on us. I was talking and so my mouth was open. I felt the smoke filled my throat. (Ugh! So disgusting!) This is the reason why I went to the ONE OK ROCK concert with cough!
So here’s the bottom line of riding jeepneys. They are cheap and convenient only if you know where to find the exact jeepney you are looking for, else, they might cause more inconvenience than you expect.
WALK IF YOU CAN
(image source: Katsanslimites)
Walking on the street after visiting Tam-Awan Village.
Walking is a form of exercise too! If you’re just headed somewhere near, then make those legs do the work! Not only did you save some Peso but you have helped your body become fit and healthy too. But I do not advise this if you are travelling with an elderly person with you. Streets in Baguio can be very tiring so be mindful of our granny and grandpa. My mom is already on her 60’s and when we went to Baguio last December she always preferred riding a taxi rather walking or taking the jeepney.
However, during my trip with mhaiiiself, I had experience walking around the city—a lot. It’s tiring but also fun. It’s nice to walk around when the weather is good but a bit annoying when it’s raining.
What I love about walking is being able to get a closer look of the life in the city, but most of all, discovering amazing places along the way. The cool weather makes it perfect for a stroll around the city too.
THINGS TO NEVER FORGET
Aside from our clothes and gadgets, these are the things you should never forget to bring when travelling to Baguio City. These are very important especially if you will ride public vehicles.
RUBBER SHOES
Wear your most comfortable rubber shoes and pair it with thick socks that can cover up to your ankles to avoid the back of your ankle being scraped. If you got these two for your feet, walking around Baguio is easy peasy.
I love no-show socks very much and it’s the only kind of socks I’ve been purchasing since college. But now I have to switch back to ankle length socks because I don’t want to get the back of my ankles scraped ever again.
UMBRELLA
Rain is frequent in Baguio City especially during afternoon so don’t forget to bring your trusty umbrella. Whether you are commuting or have your own vehicle, umbrella is still a must.
JACKET / SWEATER
(image source: Pixabay)
The weather in the city is cool and sometimes it can be surprisingly very cool that’s why you need to have a jacket or sweater with you to protect yourself from nature’s surprises. It can also protect you from light rain in case you forgot to bring an umbrella.
WATER
The weather may be cool but the continuous walking and exposure outside will leave you dehydrated. So don’t forget to bring water wherever you go to keep yourself hydrated regularly.
PATIENCE
(image source: Pixabay)
Lastly, another thing to bring that is equally important as those I’ve mentioned above is patience. Commuting requires lots of patience and this does not only apply in Baguio. We’ll encounter different kinds of people along the way and could experience different unexpected scenarios too. Patience is something we should have in ourselves all the time. It will save you from lots of troubles, promise.
ENJOY THE RIDE!
I think Baguio City is a friendly city and so riding public transportation and walking is absolutely okay. Commuting is part of our daily lives. It’s cheap and efficient that’s why most Filipinos choose it over owning a private vehicle.
Since we had some reallly memorable experiences with jeepeys in Baguio City, here's another video about the different passengers you can encounter while travelling.
(video source: Ray Digital via Youtube)
Kinds of jeepney passengers you may encounter.
That’s it. I hope this blog helps and guide you next time you visit Baguio City. Despite the advantages and disadvantages of each public vehicle, it is best that you enjoy the ride. Part of having a fun vacation is enjoying your trip from one place to another, right? And taking public transportation has its benefits too.
Thanks for reading!
✧ Katsanslimites
