(Eagle News)–Commuters using rail transport may have to wait longer before boarding trains once public transportation resumes operations.
This as the Department of Transportation announced it would implement a block system for managing the entry of passengers into the Light Rail Transit 1 and 2, Philippine National Railway and Metro Rail Transit 3 stations, platforms and trains which will operate in a reduced capacity in accordance with health protocols, and social distancing measures being enforced by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases once the community quarantine is lifted.
Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said each LRT1 train set can ferry 12% of its maximum capacity or 158 passengers per trip, each LRT2 train set 10% or 160 passengers per trip, each MRT3 train set 13% or 153 passengers, and each PNR train car an average of 148 passengers, with 20% of its average capacity in each trip.
The DOTr said the figures were based on physical simulations of passengers inside trains maintaining a one-meter social distancing.
“To guide our commuters in observing the required 1-meter social distancing, we are placing markers inside the trains and on station platforms, indicating the required spacing between and among passengers. We are also installing signages and other information materials to remind passengers of the health and safety protocols that are in place,” Batan said.
The DOTr said passengers who are not wearing the proper face mask, passengers showing COVID-19 symptoms or with a registered body temperature of 37.8°C or higher; and senior citizens, passengers aged 0-20, and those pregnant shall not be allowed entry into any station.
The last group, the DOTr said, was due to their susceptibility to COVID-19.
PNR General Manager Junn Magno said “rail operators will coordinate with the road sector for possible provision of buses to ferry passengers from the train stations.”
“We are ready to serve our commuters, in the event that the general community quarantine (GCQ) will be implemented in Metro Manila, and areas covered by our railway networks. We have to follow the social distancing guidelines, and health protocols set by the IATF, meaning, we have to limit our passenger capacity per trip. This is to prevent COVID-19 from spreading while our commuters are in transit,” Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
