AKBAYAN URGES GOV'T TO PROVIDE COMMUTERS WITH RELIEF FROM HORRENDOUS TRAFFIC, EXTEND MRT AND LRT OPERATING HOURS TO MIDNIGHT

Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to seriously consider extending the operations of Metro Manila’s LRT-1, LRT-2, and the MRT-3 to midnight from the current 10:30 PM. According to Rep. Cendaña the current operating hours of the mass transit lines were inadequate to service the tens of thousands of BPO and night shift workers in the metro.

“Malaking kaginhawaan para sa libo libo nating night shift and BPO workers kung iextend natin ang operating hours ng MRT and LRT lines. It’s one way the government can alleviate the unpleasant experience ng pagcommute sa Metro Manila. ," according to Rep. Cendaña.

“Isipin natin na lalo lang din sisikip ang traffic ngayong holiday season. Dagdag parusa yan sa ating mga commuters. Ibigay na natin ito sa kanila bilang maagang pamasko,” he added.

The lawmaker also stressed that the MRT and LRT lines have an added bonus of roving security personnel thus making them a safer option for late night commuters.

“May dagdag benepisyo rin ng kaligtasan ang pagextend ng MRT and LRT operating hours. Kung nasa loob ka ng istasyon ng mga tren at least may security guards, well lighted ang stations, at may CCTV pa. Kung iextend pa natin ang operating hours ng ating mga mass transit lines mababawasan yung risks sa pagcommute sa gabi,” according to Rep. Cendaña.

As of now the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 lines are the only operating rail lines in Metro Manila servicing on average a daily ridership of 323,000, 140,000, and 357,000 passengers respectively. Currently, there are two other mass transit lines being constructed, MRT-7 and the Metro Manila Subway line.