MRT, LRT, PNR to increase capacity to 30% starting Monday, Oct. 19

Metro Manila's rail systems are set to increase their maximum passenger capacity to 30% starting Monday, October 19, and are also expected to gradually expand it to as much as 50%.

In a statement on Sunday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the main railways—the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1), and the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2), and the Philippine National Railways (PNR)—will increase from their current maximum capacity, which ranges from 13 to 18%.

At 30% capacity, the MRT3 will be able to accommodate 372 passengers per train set versus the current allowed 153 passengers.

A 30% capacity will also mean 370 passengers per train for the LRT1, and 486 passengers for the LRT2.

For the PNR, there will be 179 passengers for the DMU ROTEM model; 167 passengers per train set for the DMU 8000; 228 passengers per train set for the DMU 8100; and 302 passengers per train set for the EMU model.

"Our railway lines are preparing for the increased capacity, initially to 30%," Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said.

"Ang bilin po ni Secretary Tugade, dapat po ay dahan-dahan ang pagdagdag sa kapasidad ng mga tren at siguruhing mahigpit na ipatutupad ang seven commandments upang maprotektahan ang kalusugan ng ating mga commuter," he added.

To recall, public transportation reopened on June 1, albeit on a limited basis, capped at 30% of capacity prior to the quarantines.

"The increased train capacity is a big help for our passengers. Shorter waiting time and faster travel time will also help them to have better service from the rail line," said MRT3 director for operations Michael Capati.

"We will make sure that as we implement the increased capacity inside the trains, we will also strictly enforce our health and safety protocols for the benefit of our passengers," he added. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News