EMONG'S JOURNALS

Starting March 23, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has implemented a discounted fare matrix for single-journey tickets, stored-value cards, and cashless payments in response to rising consumer prices.  Passengers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) can easily avail of the discounted fare via the GCash app by using the GCashCommute QR, NFC-enabled Android phone, or GCash Visa card. Commuters can skip the ticketing booth lines and go directly to the platforms, making travel more convenient and seamless.  The GCash payment schemes have been up and running at MRT-3 since July last year, providing commuters with cashless options for their daily travels. The goal is simple: to make everyday transactions more affordable, accessible, and seamless for Filipinos.  For more information, please visit https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/articles/49102305024025-Can-I-use-GCash-for-transportation .  ANY THOU...

Gas prices making you broke? It’s time to ditch the keys for the commute. ​Let’s face it: watching the numbers climb at the gas pump feels like watching your savings evaporate in real-time. With oil prices hitting record highs due to global instability , driving a private car has transformed from a convenience into a financial burden. If you’re tired of the " oil price hike " cycle, there has never been a better time to embrace the rails. Commuting via the MRT and LRT isn't just about skipping the gridlock anymore—starting this week, it’s officially the smartest way to protect your wallet. ​ The Big News: 50% Off Your Daily Ride ​In a major move to shield Filipinos from rising inflation , the Department of Transportation ( DOTr ) has announced a massive 50% discount for all MRT-3 and LRT-2 passengers beginning Monday, March 23. ​This directive comes straight from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who emphasiz...

Motorists without radio-frequency identification (RFID) stickers will still be able to enter and have RFID stickers installed at toll expressways beyond December 1, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Tuesday. In a message to reporters, DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said a “stickering lane” will still be available to motorists at the tollgates. Libiran said only motorists who will enter RFID lanes without an RFID sticker will be penalized. “Beyond December 1, may RFID stickering lane pa rin na padadaanan sa mga motorista na wala pang sticker. Doon sila dapat na dumaan. Meron ding installation site bago mag-toll road na pwede nyang pag-installan (Beyond December 1, there will still be RFID stickering lanes that motorists without stickers can enter. They’re supposed to pass through there. There will also be installation sites before toll roads that they can visit to have an RFID sticker installed),”...

To manage the volume of motorists wanting to secure RFID tags for their vehicles, the Easytrip management has introduced its online booking and reservation system for RFID installations. Tagged as 'Scan, Reserve, Install', the  Online RFID Reservation and Appointment System (ORRAS) provide users with an alternative way to book their Easytrip RFID sticker installation. Customers can register in advance and book an appointment date at available installation sites. They may access the online system by scanning a QR code found on social media pages and websites of NLEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, and Easytrip starting November 8. Here are the steps on how to book an Easytrip RFID appointment and reservation: 1.  Scan the Easytrip QR code through your smartphone or CLICK HERE to open the link on your web or mobile browser. 2.  Accomplish the registration form. 3. When registration is successful, choose your preferred date, time, and loc...

The coronavirus pandemic has made driving a car through Metro Manila a difficult activity – with major roads choking with inching traffic as more people venture out of quarantine, wary of public transportation. There is no doubt that a highly visible 'Do Not Delay' sign on a motorist's windshield will notify the traffic enforcers and other drivers that he has precious essential cargo in his vehicle, putting him ahead of everybody else. In most cases you can expect other drivers to respect that fact and hopefully they drive less aggressive around him and give him more time or room. But one of the downsides is that a sign such as this one can be prone to abuse. Think about the times you've seen a 'Do Not Delay' sign in a car's windshield while driving. It piques a little bit of curiosity on your part. The sign makes you look over the car, and you have to admit, it's one of the most annoying feeling when you suddenly realize it was put there by...

Here's a small guide to the do's and don'ts of driving via ADDA mode. RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) makes it unlawful for drivers to use communication devices and other electronic entertainment and computing gadgets while their vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection. Amid the confusion it sowed when it first came out, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) released a revised implementing rules and regulation of ADDA, with a new provision on the "safe zone," where dashcams or cellular phone placements are allowed. This so-called "safe zone" is counting 4 inches from the vehicle dashboard into the windshield. Beyond the 4-inch safe zone will be considered part of the "line of sight," where gadgets and objects are not allowed. But, vehicles with built-in OEM navigational systems and LCD screens, such as those found in Mazdas, Mercedes-Benzes, and other vehicles, will n...