MRT riders’ patience stretched to the limit
Roberto Nacario (inset) INQUIRER.net PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—“Lagi na lang kayong inuunawa. ”
This was the reaction of a disgruntled Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) passenger after a train announcer pleaded for public understanding for the shortened train operations on weekends to give way for its repairs.
“Lagi na lang kayong iniintindi. Nakakasawa na rin,” Roberto Nacario told INQUIRER.net.
On Thursday noon, Nacario was among hundreds of commuters who patiently waited at the North Avenue Station to get on the MRT train.
Two trains passed by but the announcer said it could not load passengers.
To his dismay, the 66-year old man uttered: “Puro pasensya na lang.”
When a third train finally arrived, Nacario immediately squeezed himself through a throng of people getting inside the train just to find a seat.
“Kung minsan tulakan pa yan e. Minsan naranasan ko nang muntik atakihin sa puso dahil sa sobrang siksikan,” he said.
But he admitted he is left with no option.
“Wala naman tayong magagawa e. Talagang sumusugal tayo araw-araw kahit alam natin na di na safe talaga sumakay dito,” he said.
MRT no longer safe?
In recent months, the MRT suffered several operational glitches, which even injured passengers when one its trains went haywire.
In previous interviews, MRT general manager Roman Buenafe said the technical malfunctions that hit the MRT “may happen again” due to the ageing trains and worn out railways that cry for replacement.
But when pressed if the trains are still safe, he said he is aware of the risks posed to commuters so he keeps telling passengers to follow instructions inside the train, like holding the hand rails always.
“Ilang beses na akong nakulong sa loob nito na nagkaaberya. Kaya nga sabi ko sa ‘yo puro pasensiya na lang, wala ka namang magagawa,” Nacario said.
No improvement
Nacario, who lives in Caloocan City and works in Taguig, said he has been riding the MRT since 1999.
“Down na down. Walang pagbabago, imbes na umangat,” he said.
He lamented that the MRT’s escalators and elevators were not functional,” saying the riding public does not deserve such condition.
“May pondo namang nanggagaling sa gobyerno. Kumikita naman ang MRT,” he said adding that the recent fare increase in the Metro’s railway system does not reflect the improvement the public deserves.
In 2014, a survey conducted by the office of Senator Grace Poe gave the MRT a “failing grade” citing filthy comfort rooms, defective elevators and escalators, and long lines of passengers.
Poe, who rode the MRT herself, was greeted with a defective ticket machine and escalator.
“May pondo naman yan. May budget yan. Nagtaas pa nga ng pamasahe e, nasaan na yung mga pangako nila,” Nacario said.
Political will
Nacario said a strong political will is needed to implement the total rehabilitation and reforms in the Metro’s railway systems.
“Hindi naman nila nauunawaan ang kalagayan ng tao e,” he said.
The MRT in recent months was mired in controversy over irregularities in its bidding procedures that eventually prompted the resignation of general manager Al Vitangcol.
Presidential sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz was even dragged into the mess, but was later cleared of any involvement in the alleged attempt to extort money from a Czech company for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) expansion project.
“Sana bawasan na yung napupunta sa bulsa nila. Kung talagang naaawa sila matagal na nilang ginawa,” he added.
He said it is time that the government should let the riding public the feel the improvements in the MRT.
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