Abaya dared to ride the MRT during rush hour

(Updated 8:24 p.m.) Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya made true of his promise to ride the Metro Rail Transit to prove it was safe to ride, a move that drew mixed reactions on Twitter.

Abaya went on the MRT at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

 

A tweet from GMA News reporter Steve Dailisan showed Abaya riding the MRT with officer-in-charge Honorito Chaneco and others.

 

DOTC Sec Jun Abaya at MRT3 OIC Honorito Chaneco sumakay sa MRT mula Ortigas hanggang North Avenue station. pic.twitter.com/77K2naniYn

— Steeeeve F Dailisan (@stevefdailisan) August 28, 2014

 

Eventually, Abaya moved to the driver's cab of the train.

 

DOTC Sec Jun Abaya sa drivers cab ng MRT3 pumwesto. pic.twitter.com/1Ipxtn99DL

— Steeeeve F Dailisan (@stevefdailisan) August 28, 2014

 

In a phone interview with GMA News TV's “QRT,” Abaya said his MRT ride was smooth from Ortigas—the nearest station to his office —to TriNoma in Quezon City, adding he was able to inspect the train during the ride, as well as observe the distances between common stations.

He also said he would find time to take up the people's challenge to fall in line and ride the MRT-3 during rush hour.

“Walang problema sa akin dahil dati naman akong nakagamit ng MRT-3 minsan at sanay naman ako sa pila,” he said. “Hanapan ko lang ng oras—most likely sa gabi, dahil naghahatid ako ng mga anak ko sa umaga.”

 

MRT-3 runs between North Avenue in Quezon City and Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

 

On Monday, Abaya vowed to ride the MRT to prove its safety, after several instances of technical mishaps, particularly after a defective coach went out of control and slammed through a steel barricade at the Taft Avenue Station, leaving dozens injured.

 

“I wanna do it as quietly as possible. You’ll eventually know [after I’ve done it]. Marami nang naghahamon sa akin na dapat yung Secretary mismo ang sumakay ng tren, kaya naman gagawin ko ‘yun,” he said.

 

'Ride MRT on rush hour'

 

Netizens reacted as photos and reports of Abaya riding the MRT-3 surfaced online, most saying that it was a "clueless" move, especially since it wasn't done in a crowded train.

 

Rush hour MRT ride or it doesn't count. #abaya

— Professional Heckler (@HecklerForever) August 28, 2014

 

Rush hour MRT ride or it doesn't count. #abaya

— Professional Heckler (@HecklerForever) August 28, 2014

 

Amused with all these tweets about Sec. Abaya riding the MRT. Sir, I'm probinsiyana and even I know that was just pure PR stunt. Ikaw naman.

— Irene Mindanaoan.com (@mindanaoan) August 28, 2014

 

Abaya is clueless, out of touch, and feels entitled to ride the MRT as befits his status as agency head. No wonder riding public is screwed.

— Mrs Unlawyer (@mrsunlawyer) August 28, 2014

 

There were others, however, who came to his defense:

 

Such cynicism! He's pressurised to do it, and when he does they call it a PR stunt. #abaya #mrt

— Metmanph (@metmanph) August 28, 2014

 

Mareklamo kayo! Kung sumakay si #Abaya nang rush hr + aides + media eh di lalo kayong hindi nakasakay ng #MRT. Hende ba?

— Raquel Fortun (@Doc4Dead) August 28, 2014

—Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/NB/KBK, GMA News