Move On Back....

....That's what the driver on the bus says according to the kids' "The Wheels on the Bus" song.  Here, though, the job of getting people to make more room, falls to the conductor on the jeepney.  He rides along standing on the back bumper and his duties seem to include (but are not limited to):

• collecting the fares (about a dollar for the 4 of us to go 15 km on the highway)
• calling out the names of the stops
• banging on the roof to tell the driver that someone wants out at the next stop
• assisting people climbing in and out 
• holding ladies shopping while they climb in and out
• announcing that a mamma and baby are getting on--give them a seat
• pulling out the tiny stools that are used as seats in the aisle when the big benches are full (each stool--there are 3---seats 2 passengers)
• making sure any bumper riders are hanging on
• encouraging people, with shoulder taps through the side window, to scooch  together when more space is needed

All the driver does is drive.

A ride in one of these vehicles involves a lot of invasion of personal space but etiquette has been established.  Everyone slides over when necessary, puts out an arm to help others get sitting if the driver takes off suddenly, tries not to step on toes, and works in concert to turn knees in the same direction so that people can exit more easily through the sea of legs and bodies of people sitting on the side benches and the little aisle stools.
It works!

Rob scores an Aisle Seat!