In the heart of Manila’s university belt, where academic pressure runs high and traffic even higher, students from the University of the Philippines Manila and De La Salle University are mastering the art of the commute — Taft Avenue style.

For students living in dorms, condos or apartments along Taft, the daily ride to class is more than just a routine. It’s a reflection of their lifestyle, priorities, and even personalities. Whether they’re squeezing into shared carpool rides, zipping down the street on scooters, or hopping into compact sedans, these young commuters have turned getting around into a streamlined — and sometimes stylish — process.

The carpool culture

With many students opting to bring cars to campus or living close enough to car-owning friends, carpooling has become an essential part of the Taft ecosystem. Popular among La Salle students with tighter schedules, shared rides in cars like the Toyota Wigo, Honda Brio and Suzuki Dzire offer a comfortable and efficient way to navigate the short but traffic-prone routes between classes and nearby residences.

“Me and my blockmates do carpool rotations,” Ella, a 2nd-year Accountancy student, said in an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE.

“One has a Mirage, the other a Wigo. It helps us save on gas and parking.”

For longer commutes from nearby cities like Makati, Pasay, or even as far as Parañaque, students often opt for car-booking apps — especially on exam weeks or rainy days when jeepney lines get too chaotic.

Compact cars: The student garage

Compact sedans and hatchbacks dominate the student parking lots of both UP Manila and La Salle. Cars like the Hyundai Accent, Toyota Vios and Mitsubishi Mirage G4 are a common sight on campus streets. Small enough to maneuver on tight roads, but reliable for Manila’s unpredictable traffic, these vehicles are favored for their fuel efficiency and affordability.

“I drive a 2018 Vios and it’s perfect for city driving,” said Ian, a 3rd-year Public Health major at UP Manila.

“There’s enough trunk space for my org gear, and it’s never failed me in flood-prone areas.”

Even older models, like hand-me-down Honda Citys or Toyota Corollas, make up part of the unofficial student fleet — some still proudly displaying old school decals or personalized plate frames from their first year.

Scooters and micro-mobility take over

Not all students rely on four wheels. With rising gas prices and constant congestion, many have turned to electric scooters, kick scooters and bikes. Lightweight and easy to store, these two-wheeled alternatives are ideal for zipping between classes or running errands in nearby areas like Robinsons Manila or Agno Food Street.

“I ride an electric scooter from my condo near Vito Cruz to UP Manila every day,” said Lance, a Nursing student.

“It takes less than 10 minutes, and I don’t have to worry about parking or getting stuck in traffic.”

Micro-mobility gear is often seen with personal touches — custom grips, reflector stickers, and even small Bluetooth speakers attached to the handlebars. Riders wear functional yet expressive outfits: sling bags, collapsible umbrellas, and often a helmet that matches their aesthetic.

The multi-ride reality

A typical Taft commute is rarely a single ride. Many students combine modes — riding a pedicab to the jeepney terminal, then hopping into a shared car or using a scooter for the final stretch.

For dormers in mid-rise buildings like Green Residences or EGI Taft Tower, even the building elevator becomes part of the journey, often packed with students balancing laptops, iced coffee and umbrellas.

The pedicabs themselves — while old-school — still serve as essential connectors, especially for short routes from condos to gates. Drivers often know the students by face, if not by name, and can share the day’s latest campus chismis between rides.

A ride, a routine, a lifestyle

For UP Manila and La Salle students, commuting along Taft Avenue is more than just a necessity. It’s part of the rhythm of student life — a blend of convenience, strategy, and a little flair. Whether rolling into campus with the windows down in a Brio or gliding past traffic on a scooter, students make the daily grind uniquely theirs.

And in a city where time, traffic and typhoons are everyday challenges, how you ride can say just as much about you as where you study.