Commuters adjust as MRT3 starts temporary suspension of ops

Regular commuters of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 on Tuesday made adjustments as train operations were temporarily suspended after more than 180 of MRT3 employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Before the break of dawn, many of the commuters were already on Metro Manila's main thoroughfare EDSA hoping to get on the bus augmentation units or the buses that are part of the EDSA Busway system, according to a report by James Agustin on GMA News' Unang Balita.

Caloocan

At the curbside of EDSA in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City, commuters were already in the area as early as 4 a.m. and waited for the buses which are part of the EDSA Busway. These buses would ply the route ending at Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Parañaque City.

North Avenue and Quezon Avenue

Outside MRT3 stations in North Avenue and Quezon Avenue, commuters lined up early while it was still dark to get on the bus augmentation units.

These buses from North Avenue, which would usually stop only in front of MRT3 stations on Quezon Avenue, Ayala Avenue and Taft Avenue, will now also stop at Guadalupe and Ortigas to drop off—not pick up—passengers.

The line of commuters at the MRT3 North Avenue station reached West Avenue at 6:30 a.m. as buses were slow to arrive.

MRT3 personnel wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) guided commuters as to where to stand to observe social distancing. They also checked the commuters' body temperature.

Cubao

Some commuters waiting at the MRT3 EDSA-Cubao station however were dismayed to learn on Tuesday that the train operations were suspended until Saturday, July 11. They said they did not know about it as they were not able to watch or read the news, according to a report by Jonathan Andal on Unang Balita.

A police truck arrived and offered free rides, and commuters ran to get on board.

Because there is no bus stop in the area, other commuters walked toward EDSA-Main Avenue and waited for buses.

However, by the time buses arrive at this stop, most of them would already be full.

A few passengers talked to each other and agreed to take a taxi, splitting the fare.

Other passengers just said they will go home instead, frustrated at having difficulty getting to work.

Timog

Meanwhile, on EDSA-Timog, with no MRT3 operations, commuters would either take taxis or transport network vehicle service (TNVS) or walk all the way to Quezon Avenue where there is a bus stop, according to a report by Darlene Cay on Unang Balita.

Some of them said they were also unaware of the temporary suspension of train operations.

Buses supposed to serve the mini-loop route from Timog to Ortigas were nowhere to be found.

Taft

On EDSA-Taft on the other hand, commuters can get on P2P buses that would stop at Quezon Avenue and North Avenue or board buses that would stop at designated stops as part of the EDSA Busway system, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.

However, for a commuter named Mario who works near Shaw Boulevard, his only choices are to get off in Guadalupe or Ortigas or Quezon Avenue.

Commuters fell in line on EDSA-Taft and observed social distancing.

MRT3 personnel checked their body temperature and had alcohol available for the commuters. 

Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said on Monday the temporary suspension of operations from July 7 to July 11 will make way for the testing of personnel of the MRT3 for COVID-19.

The Department of Transportation on Monday said of the 186 MRT3 personnel who tested positive for COVID-19, a total of 169 were assigned to the MRT Depot, while the remaining 17 workers were deployed at the MRT Stations. —KG, GMA News