MRT-3 to carry more passengers on Monday
More passengers will be able to ride the MRT-3 tomorrow, 19 October, after Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade instructed the DoTr Railways sector to increase the maximum passenger capacity of trains to accommodate more commuters.
The MRT-3 will increase its maximum passenger capacity from the current 13 percent, or 51 persons per train car for a total of 153 passengers per train set, to 30 percent, or 124 persons per train car or 372 total passengers per train set.
The move is being implemented pursuant to the decision of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his Cabinet to approve the recommendations of the Economic Development Council to aid in economic recovery.
“We will do this to help transport more people. In addition to increasing our train capacity, our passengers can also expect more trains to be deployed along the mainline, a shorter waiting time and faster travel time.
This is part of DoTr and MRT-3’s commitment to provide a more efficient and improved service to our passengers,” Michael J. Capati, MRT-3 director for Operations, said.
In addition to increasing our train capacity, our passengers can also expect more trains to be deployed along the mainline, a shorter waiting time and faster travel time.
“The increase in train capacity is a timely boost for the MRT-3, as the public demands a higher number of public transportation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Capati added.
To complement the increase in transport capacity, strict health and safety protocols, dubbed Seven Commandments, recommended by health experts will be enforced inside the trains.
These commandments include: Wear masks and face shields; no talking and telephone calls; no eating; keep public utility vehicles well-ventilated; conduct frequent disinfection; no symptomatic passengers; and observe appropriate physical distancing rule.
Meanwhile, to ensure a faster commute and reduced train headway, the MRT-3 is continuously working on the deployment of more train sets.
It can be recalled the MRT-3 was able to deploy 22 train sets along its mainline on 21 September 2020, the highest number of running trains recorded in history.
The MRT-3 was able to increase its train speed from 30kph to 40kph on 1 October 2020, following the installation of new long-welded rails in all MRT-3 stations, as part of the massive rehabilitation program of the rail line being implemented by Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy from Japan.
The MRT-3 operating speed is expected to gradually increase from 40kph in October, 50kph by November, and 60kph by December 2020.