This is Day 27 of the 30-day Traffic Koans contest. Details on how to enter can be found here: https://steemit.com/traffic-koans/@jedau/traffic-koans-halfway-update-1505319420-6600256
Several fish were stuck in a pond and have given up all hope of being set free.
One day, a storm caused a large flood which bridged the gap between the pond and the river.
Seeing the opportunity, the fish swam towards freedom with all their strength.
Unfortunately for them, the flood subsided while they were midway towards the river.
Some tried to swim back, while the others continued on. Whichever direction they took they all suffered the same fate.
The fish laid on the ground, squirming as they suffocated under the harsh sun.
After my two-day tirade against taxi drivers who refuse to stop for passengers, I guess it's only fitting to turn my attention to a mode of transportation that stops too much. Unfortunately, they weren't intended to, especially midway through the trip. I'm talking about trains.
I showed this before, and to emphasize, this is not a proper stop
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People who read (and used to read) my posts know how much I love riding trains. I strongly believe that the MRT can make or break a country. It can separate the first-world from the third-world. The reason I say this is because it helps people get from one point to another the fastest, making the money move the fastest. Since trains aren't traditionally known for delays or traffic congestion, it's the fastest mass land transportation currently available.
That is, when they work properly.
I wish I was kidding
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Now, I used to ride the train every day, to and from work. I have tons of wacky train stories, but I was fortunate enough to have never experienced this. Really though, I don't know what I would do if I was forced to wait for hours in line to board, then be forced to walk at least a kilometer in the middle of Metro Manila's busiest highway because the train broke down. I tip my hat to those people who are able to endure this on a daily basis. You guys are the real heroes.
But, this is the truth
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I can't fault the drivers because they're just doing their jobs. The people at fault here are the people in charge of the Transportation Department, specifically Mar Roxas, the former secretary. That son of a bitch thought he had a legitimate shot at winning the presidency last year. What a joke! His holding companies are the ones responsible for the poor quality trains and screwed up dissemination of driver's licenses and license plates. He switched this:
Matatag na Republika translates to "Strong Republic"
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To this:
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Oh sorry, I meant this:
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I mean, sure, I like the simplicity, and that's exactly the excuse they gave. But, the cost to make the new one is equal or greater than the old one. Does that make sense? I know people who have applied for a new plate for years and they have yet to receive it. Some have been using conduction plates for years now. That's fine though, because they have been using an expired driver's license for years as well. Wait, no, they have renewed it a couple of times now, but it doesn't show on the card itself because the supplier keeps running out. If that isn't blatant corruption, I don't know what is.
That smug bastard even had the audacity to call other people out on their corruption. During his campaign, he took the train once to show that it doesn't malfunction. He had an entourage of armed bodyguards and media coverage during his announced trip, too. Unlike his other rival who boarded the train unannounced and without any media coverage. People only knew that she rode it because people on the train took pictures and posted it on social media. I'm going to stop now before this gets any more political.
Have you ever been stranded on the train? Do you have funny or infuriating train stories? Share them in the comments section and get a chance to win SBD. I'll just leave you with an image of a train that didn't stop (not during Roxas' tenure, but it was purchased and maintained during his).
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