Abaya vows better riding experience for MRT 3 commuters in 2016

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya promised on Monday that commuters of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 will have a better riding experience by the first quarter of 2016.

But Abaya’s assurance only came after repeated questions by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto during the hearing of the Senate subcommittee on public services.

“When will the public feel that MRT 3 is getting better or that their experience with the MRT will get better? Do we expect this by the first quarter of 2016 ?” Recto asked.

“For the first quarter of 2016 what we’re sure is we could get a set of the Dalian trains moving. By second quarter, we’ll have probably two or three (trains). Clearly now, we have more capacity. Again getting a better experience is all relative…,” he said.

“So you’re not promising anything?” Recto asked again.

“But in terms of capacity, we’ll have an additional capacity, your honor,” Abaya said.

“But you’re not prepared to say that the experience for commuters will be much better starting first quarter next year, second quarter next year?” the senator asked for the third time.

It was only at this point that Abaya gave a direct assurance.

“In terms of improvement, yes, there will be improvement in the services come first quarter,” said Abaya.

And when Recto asked if this improvement would be felt by the commuters, Abaya said: “Yes, your honor.”

“So we have that commitment?” Recto asked.

“Yes, in fact right now we’re are rolling out the automatic fare collection system, the beep cards. We just want to get enough facts and basis because I think that has helped in the shortening of the queues and likewise the convenience of transferring from one line to the other has been much appreciated,” Abaya said. AU