QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The political party Akbayan, along with youth volunteers from various organizations, gathered signatures at the MRT-3 Quezon Avenue station on Thursday, December 12, in support of a call to extend the operating hours of Metro Manila’s train lines.
They want the three train lines of capital region — LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 — to operate until 12 am, instead of only until 10:30 pm, to accommodate late night commuters, especially night shift workers.
This would make public transportation more inclusive, said Akbayan Communications Director Carlo Vargas. Workers with late-night shifts, like business process outsourcing employees, and commuters who have other reasons to be traveling late are not accommodated by the current train operating schedule, he said.
Recently, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the extended schedule of LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 to serve commuters amid the Christmas holiday rush. Akbayan wants this schedule to be made permanent since the needs of night-time commuters are felt beyond the holiday season, said Akbayan Youth Secretary General Khylla Meneses.
Alongside the proposal to extend train operating hours, Meneses also calls for a transportation budget increase to address the logistical demands and maintenance cost of the proposed operating hours extension.
Youth volunteers who joined the signature campaign also share the demand for the extended train operating hours since they also commute late at night after a busy schoolday. Matthew Silverio from the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines emphasized the need for a “reliable transportation that can bring them to their destination safely.”
Helen Grace, a night-shift BPO worker, signed in support of the campaign stating that the proposal is a big help for night commuters since train systems are the safer and most convenient option for many.
“Nagtatrabaho po ako pang-gabi sa call center, so mas maganda po may pang-gabi na MRT para at least mas safe kaysa sa bus,” Grace told Rappler.
(I work late at night for a call center, so it’s better if the MRT is operational even late at night because at least it’s safer compared to buses.)
She also emphasized how nighttime workers like her would benefit should the train operating hours be extended permanently.
“Sa time, mas mabilis yung biyahe, tapos convenience kasi aircon, ‘di na pababa-baba,” said Grace.
(It’s faster, more convenient because of the airconditioning, and you don’t have to make plenty of transfers.)
Aside from the on-ground signature campaign, Akbayan also launched an online signature campaign which aims to bolster the proposal. The group is also planning to deploy volunteers to different train stations to reach more commuters and gather more signatures.
If the campaign gets overwhelming support from the public, Akbayan is optimistic that it will be able to get enough signatures. It will then push the proposal forward by filing a resolution in Congress where it holds one seat in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate in the person of Senator Risa Hontiveros. Another option they will pursue is to write a letter to the DOTr, the government agency that oversees the operation of the train lines through its supervising role over train operators.
Do you think the Metro Manila train operations should be extended? Share your thoughts with our reporters, editors, and civic engagement specialists by joining the Liveable Cities chat room in the Rappler Communities app. – Godwin Lacdao/Rappler.com
Godwin Lacdao is a volunteer for Rappler’s MovePH. He is a senior student taking up Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila. He is also a Core Member of DZMC-Young Communicators’ Guild, the official radio station of the PUP College of Communication.
More inclusive public transportation makes Philippine cities more liveable. Rappler has a dedicated space to stories about improving quality of life in our cities. Check out the Make Manila Liveable page here.