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LRT1, LRT2, MRT3, PNR on limited capacity as workers undergo mass testing


Metro Manila’s railway systems are operating in a limited capacity as its personnel undergo mass testing for COVID-19, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday.

 

 

As of April 5, the DOTr said there are 91 personnel of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) who tested positive for COVID-19 out of its 281 who have undergone testing.

In LRT2, there are 143 who tested positive for the disease out of 592 who got tested.

In Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), 120 personnel tested positive for COVID-19 out of 709 who got tested.

Meanwhile, 121 personnel of the Philippine National Railways tested positive for coronavirus out of 586 who have undergone testing.

In order to ensure the safety and overall well-being of commuters, and to further avert the spread of COVID-19 especially to rail workers, the DOTr said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has ordered for the mass testing of all railway personnel, based on risk and targeted approach.

Tugade ordered railway operators that the following personnel will immediately undertake the necessary isolation and quarantine:

  • Those who tested positive
  • Those who are still awaiting test results
  • Those identified as close contacts of confirmed cases
  • Employees exhibiting any symptom of COVID-19

With the isolation and undergoing testing of railway personnel, the MRT3 is running under limited capacity, with the deployment of 10 to 12 trains.

Meanwhile, the LRT2line dispatched only five trains, and the LRT1 has deployed 17 trains

The PNR will resume operations on Friday and will be deploying only 10 to 12 trains.

To assist commuters and augment the rail line’s limited operations, the DOTr said its road sector has deployed additional Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) along the rail line routes, to ferry those affected passengers to their destination.

Other initiatives that are still implemented and made available are the Free Ride for Healthworkers and Medical Frontliners, and the Free Ride for Authorized Persons Outside of their Residences (APORs) on jeepney routes operating under the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) Service Contracting Program.

“The DOTr and its attached agencies in the railways sector enjoin all its stakeholders to fully cooperate with the national government and health authorities, and abide by preventive measures and health and safety protocols in place,” the Transportation Department said. — RSJ, GMA News

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