Looking back on old trips from foreign places like Tokyo, Seoul, and even Singapore, it makes one think how far behind Metro Manila truly is with its railway system. Some might think that these countries are simply ahead of their time or that they simply have more resources, but the reality is the Philippines is simply lagging behind. Features that seem so basic and integral to the railway stations of the aforementioned first world countries are nowhere to be seen despite being integrated in accessible design decades beforehand. Because of it, you’re likely to see a wider range of people using public transport. From high school kids to overworked salarymen to families traveling in groups with their elderly, it’s a sight you’ll never truly see in the Philippines.
It makes one question as to why we’re the ones adjusting to the limitations of our system and why we aren’t demanding for more. It isn’t only East Asian and European countries that have the luxury of implementing such features. Take a look at Singapore which is the gold standard for urban development where their railway stations have a minimum of one barrier-free entrance per station. Their systems also accommodate people with hearing difficulties where people with hearing aids are able to communicate to staff with ease. Quoting from their “Inclusive Transport” article, “Commuters should feel safe, secure and comfortable on our public transport system…the Caring SG Commuters Committee was set up to foster the creation of a more caring, welcoming and inclusive commuter culture.”
The Philippines isn’t the only railway system that struggles to adapt to accessible architecture and new technology however. The UK also struggles with their own due to how old the infrastructure of most of their stations. Thanks to activist groups who pushed for inclusivity, Persons with Disabilities are finally able to travel using the tube for work and most importantly, leisure. While we can’t change the architecture of current stations, the government can apply what the DOTr is implementing with their new Accessible Travel Policy by changing how staff can approach people with different disabilities where somewhere in the near future we can hope to build a culture where we see each other as equals.
What I saw in Tokyo challenged what I considered the norm. There I saw the elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) traveling with ease and navigating stations like it was made with them in mind. There were no delays, no confusion on where to go, and no barriers that told them they couldn’t enter, rather there was availability and warmth from staff, there were signages and screens telling you when the next train would come, and lastly, there were Persons with Disabilities who actually used these features because their transport system gave them the ability to be independent.