I wasn't early at the MRT North Ave. station. I did not need to be early.
It was just 7:30am, I was needed at work at 9am. I still had time.

And so it was...same old story...passengers occupying almost 60% of EDSA's width...practically crawling to get to the entrance.

I was able to get in without "added" difficulties...it was difficult, but that was normal on a rush hour. I had one car to pass, so I can easily get in the next.

In no time...the passengers started pushing..inching in...everyday scene.
Off we went...and stopped at Quezon Ave. Station...more people came in....
Off again...and stopped at GMA Kamuning station....more people are trying to get in...
Some started to be rude. Rough. Pushy.
AND SOME WOULDN'T LET THE DOORS TO CLOSE.
The operator tried to close the doors several times but failed.

Until the dang announcement : All passengers please alight from the train...since our doors cannot close anymore...this train will be driven back to the depot...

And there!
with the passengers waiting at the station...and additional passengers (us) who alighted from the damaged train....there was almost chaos!!!

It took me about 8 trains to pass before i got a ride...and hear this...when I got off at Ayala station...I was charged P29! My normal rate was P14...
When I asked a station personnel...she told me that I overstayed inside the premises, that's why I was charged extra...I told her it was the train which broke down....She said if I can wait, she'll give me credits...Nah!!! wait for P15 credit for another 30mins??? Nah! I just wanted her to know...so that she'll report to her bosses, I told her.

Bottom line...I got to the office at 9:15am.
Still okay...but really tired!

Now, I wonder...can we not do anything about this? Can the administration not help the riding public?

Is it the people's fault? Can the public just wake up earlier...get a ride earlier...and be not in so much hurry so we won't be pushing each other to get a ride?

Isn't there a way to measure the number of people riding in a certain amount of time, at certain times of the day...so that these would be accomdated by a correct number of trains dispatched in the correct time of the day?

I remember seeing a building near the Nagtahan bridge : TRAFFIC ENGINEERING CENTER. Can that office help in the measurements? Doesn't the LRTA have a section to monitor all stations and note the riding traffic volume?

Is it the people's discipline that makes things worse?
Is it the government's lack of compassion for the riding public?
Is it an Engineering error?
Lack of funds?
Erroneous planning?
Lack of enforcing Security Guards?
Or, am I just a complaining asshole?

A colleague said..."one of the solutions is to have a higher rate during rush hour...so that those who cannot afford the higher rates would just ride earlier..."
Makes sense....

For me? I just have one request to my co-riders....
Please take a bath before you take the train...We all know that we'll be squeezed together inside. Won't it be "politeness" if everyone didn't smell bad?

THAT'S HOW IT LOOKS LIKE FROM WHERE I STOOD....THESE PEOPLE WAITED FOR AT LEAST 30MINS TO GET IN THE STATION....

THE PILE OF PASSENGERS WENT THIS LONG.....ALL WAITING FOR US (WHO WERE ASKED TO MOVE OUT OF OUR TRAIN) TO GET A RIDE...BEFORE THEY CAN GET IN AND WAIT FOR THEIRS...WHEW!!!!