DOTr: Trains ready for operation in NCR on June 1

May 30 ------ As Metro Manila is set to shift to the general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the region’s railways are also ready to resume operations but not fully, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Tugade made the statement after President Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under the GCQ beginning next week.

In the same task force meeting Thursday evening (May 28), Tugade said the trains are ready to operate on Monday but not at full capacity, because they have to balance the mandate of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to provide transportation and help prevent the spread of the virus. “On the first day that we transition and it’s put into effect, we can already put into operation our train and rails operation,” he said.

“Handa na po ito. ‘Pag sinabing Lunes, handa po kami sa Lunes. Bagama’t sasabihin ko ‘wag i-expect na ‘yung operation ng tren ay 100 percent (It is ready. When you say Monday, we’re ready by Monday. However, I will say not to expect that operation of the trains will be at 100 percent). The capacity will also be limited, gradual, and calculated,” he added.

According to Tugade, the capacity of the Light and Metro rail transit systems (LRT and MRT) will only be at 10 to 12 percent while the Philippine National Railways (PNR) will be at 35 percent. He added that the DOTr has been preparing the trains, railways, and even stations for the return of passengers. “Habang nag-uusap po tayo ngayon, nagsisimula ang ating mga tao sa riles at railways na kung saan sini-simulate nila kung paano ma-umpisa ito (As we speak, our people are at the tracks and railways where they are simulating what to expect),” Tugade said.

“Namarkahan na ‘yung bawat upuan, namarkahan na ‘yung bawat alley, namarkahan na ‘yung pagbili ng ticket, namarkahan na ‘yung queuing (We’ve already marked all seats, alleys, tickets and booths, and the queuing),” he added. Tugade said they are paying more attention to NCR’s railways because it caters to more passengers compared to taxis, jeepneys, or buses.

Source: mb.com.ph