MRT-3 eases distancing measures to boost ridership on Sept. 14

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) management will adjust social distancing rules inside its trains to increase ridership starting Monday, Sept. 14.

In a statement on Friday, MRT-3 management said it would reduce the distance between passengers inside trains to 0.75 meters from 1 meter as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The move will bring ridership to 204 passengers per train set or to 68 commuters per coach which is 51 more passengers per train set than the previous count.

“Aakyat na sa 204 na commuters sa isang train set, o 68 kada bagon, ang maaaring sumakay sa mga tren, mula sa dating 153 na pasahero sa isang train set, o 51 kada bagon,” read the statement.

(The number of passengers per train set will increase to 204 or 68 per coach. This is an increase from the previous count of 153 passengers per train set,  or 51 more passengers per coach.)

The MRT-3 management however reminds commuters that minimum health protocols will still be followed such as the wearing of face shields and face masks.

Answering calls from any digital device are still not allowed inside the train, it added.

The MRT-3 management also expects that the distance between passengers inside trains will shorten further over the next two weeks.

“Ibaba na sa 0.75 meters ang distansya sa pagitan ng mga pasahero, at inaasahang baba pa ito hanggang 0.5 meters matapos ang dalawang linggo, at 0.3 meters sa karagdagang dalawang linggo,” the management said.

(Distance will decrease to 0.75 meters and it is expected to increase to 0.5 meters after two weeks and 0.3 meters in the following weeks.)

READ: DOTr eases distancing rule in public transport

/MUF