5 . Since it’s made up of over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is not a train-heavy nation. That means coach buses are going to be your best choice for getting city-to-city. There is a small light rail system in the Manila metro area (called the Light Rail Transit System or “LRT” for short), but it has a bad name for being delayed most of the time.
If the phrase “coach bus” calls forth images of old Greyhounds, you’re off the mark. Because coaches in the Philippines are the primary means of intercity transit, many popular bus companies actually feature onboard attendants (think flight attendants, but, you know, on a bus) as well as entertainment centers, posh seats, and other comfortable accouterments (配备).
There’s no one central bus company in the Philippines, so central bus stations are uncommon. That means you need to know which company you want to take, what bus to get on, and where to catch it. Connect with a Filipino local for help when you’re planning your trip. They’ll help you figure out the who/what/where/when of bus transit and walk you through the entire process.
Besides coach buses, jeepneys are also very popular. They are old military jeeps left over from the US occupation of the Philippines which have since been converted into colorful, uniquely-Filipino private buses. They’re cheap, usually around 7 pesos or 0.25 per ride, they’re everywhere, and they’re probably the most popular form of mass transit in the Philippines.
More than anything though, jeepneys are colorful. The owners take lots of pride in their rides, and it’s common to see richly-painted jeepneys on most major roads. Where do you catch a jeepney and where do they go? Make it easy on yourself: have your local trip planner contain at least one jeepney ride into your travel plan—they’ll give you all the information you need.
1. How does a coach bus in the Philippines differ from a Greyhound?
| A．Often running behind the schedule. |
| B．Traveling within the city area of Manila. |
| C．Painted with bright colors with low cost. |
| D．Comfortable equipment with fine service. |
2. What can be impressive transit if you travel in the Philippines?
| A．LRT. | B．Train. | C．Jeepney. | D．Coach bus. |
3. What can we infer from the passage?
| A．Jeepneys are popular as they are modern and comfortable. |
| B．A Filipino local is the best choice to help you plan your trip. |
| C．A central bus station can give you the information you need. |
| D．Coach buses provide the experience of a flight with low cost. |
4. What can be the best title of the passage?
| A．Tourist attractions in the Philippines |
| B．Cheap unique transit in the Philippines |
| C．Options of transportation in the Philippines |
| D．Special traveling experiences in the Philippines |
