MRT-3 returns to pre-pandemic passenger volume

MANILA, Philippines — The volume of passengers at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) has returned to levels before the pandemic after the government allowed full capacity for all forms of public transport, including trains.

Based on the rail line’s ridership tally on Wednesday, 233,845 passengers boarded MRT-3 trains – close to the 234,614 commuters recorded on March 11, 2020, days before the government imposed a lockdown in Luzon and prohibited all forms of mass transport.

The government restored mass transport services in June 2020, but with limited seating capacity.

The MRT-3 enforced limited capacity that started with 10 percent then gradually increased to 70 percent as quarantine restrictions eased.

As the government lowered the COVID-19 alert level status in Metro Manila to the most relaxed Alert Level 1 at the start of March, MRT-3 trains can now carry 1,182 passengers per trip.

In a previous radio interview, MRT-3 operations director Michael Capati said the management would have a hard time implementing physical distancing inside trains so they decided to focus on enforcing the policy on the rail line’s platforms.

However, he said the management would still enforce the proper wearing of face masks and bans on talking, accepting phone calls and eating or drinking on trains.