Smaller crowds at MRT stations as more passengers allowed on trains

Waiting times at Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) platforms were shorter after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) allowed more passengers on trains.

According to Ian Cruz’s “24 Oras” report on Monday, the DOTr increased the capacity of each train set from 13 percent or 153 passengers to 30 percent or 372 people.

“Ang alis ng tao ngayon, mas mabilis. Now, hintayin lang natin kung ano naman ang mangyayari itong mga susunod na araw kung madadagdagan ang volume ng tao,” MRT 3 Director for Operations Michael Capati said.

Capati added that the DOTr will gradually increase the capacity to 50 percent.

“Hindi natin muna binigla. Sa utos ni [Transportation] Secretary [Arthur Tugade], i-gradual muna natin, phasing,” he said.

Passengers still need to be one seat apart, while those standing must follow markings on the floor to observe social distancing.

The daily ridership of the MRT 3 rose to 70,000 passengers last week from just 30,000 when the transit line first reopened amid the pandemic.

An average of 280,000 passengers used to ride the MRT 3 daily prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News