EMONG'S JOURNALS

We’ve all stood on a packed station platform, craning our necks toward empty tracks, wondering if our train is five minutes away or completely broken down. That agonizing game of commute roulette might finally be over. ​ FlightRadar for the MRT? Meet the App That Wants to Fix Your Daily Commute ​If you navigate Metro Manila’s transit web every day, you already know the routine: you step onto the platform, look at your watch, and hope for the best. Delays happen, breakdowns crop up without warning, and clear updates are often hard to come by. ​That exact frustration led RJ Crusem, a 28-year-old software developer from Cavite, to take matters into his own hands. Instead of just enduring the uncertainty, he decided to build TrainSight—a dedicated platform engineered to give passengers live, ground-level tracking of city train lines. Inspired by the Skies ​Crusem took inspiration from FlightRadar24, the popular tool aviation ...

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...

Visa contactless payments are now live at MRT-3 stations, giving over 350,000 daily commuters a faster, more secure, and cashless way to pay for their fares. Starting today, passengers can simply tap their Visa credit, debit, or prepaid card, or any Visa-enabled mobile device, directly at the turnstiles. This rollout is part of Visa’s continued support for open-loop transit systems in the Philippines, in partnership with GCash and the Department of Transportation. “We’re proud to bring Visa contactless payments to MRT-3 and help modernize everyday commuting for millions of Filipinos. This marks a significant step in building a more connected, cashless future for public transport in the Philippines. Through our partnership with the Department of Transportation and GCash, we’re enabling faster, safer, and more seamless journeys for commuters across Metro Manila.” Jeff Navarro, Country Manager, Visa Philippines. The open-loop, contac...

There are some changes at MRT-3 schedules this holiday season. MRT-3 will continue to operate during the coming Christmas and New Year holidays in order to continue providing services to passengers. The line will operate a regular weekday schedule for December 15, 18-22, 26-29, 2023 and January 2-3, 2024. Meanwhile, a weekend schedule will be used for December 16, 23, and 30, while the regular Sunday schedule will be observed on December 17. Adjusted operating hours for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve; as well as on Christmas and New Year's Day itself. The details of the MRT-3 operating hours for the upcoming holidays are as follows: December 15, 18 to 22, 26 to 29, and January 2 to 3 (weekdays) First trip: 4:30am from North Avenue, 5:05am from Taft Avenue Last trip: 9:30pm from North Avenue, 10:09pm from Taft Avenue December 16, 23, and 30 (Saturdays) First trip: 4:37am from North Avenue, 5:18am from Taft Avenue ...

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will strictly enforce health protocols onboard trains as well as in the various rail facilities such as stations and depots. This, after the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under stricter Alert Level 3 status amid the rise in Covid-19 cases. DOTr Secretary Art Tugade said the enforcement of strict health measures to mitigate the spread of the virus will continue to be in place, even more as the present 70 percent passenger capacity in all rail lines will be maintained. “As recommended by our railways sector, all rail lines will maintain the present 70 percent passenger capacity under the Alert Level 3 status, provided that strict health measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will be enforced. This is to avoid the ‘bottlenecking’ or crowding of passengers at stations, which may increase the risk of virus transmission,” Tugade said in a news release on Sunday. Tugade said any adjustme...

  A portion of Edsa and the MRT-3 North Avenue Station may temporarily close for the completion of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Common Station project. In a news report from INQUIRER net , BF Corporation - the MRT Common Station contractor,  has suggested to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to close a portion of EDSA and the North Avenue Station to make way for the final stages of the construction. “As mentioned by [Transportation] Sec. [Arthur] Tugade during an inspection earlier, the request to close a portion of EDSA and the North Avenue Station was communicated to us by the Common Station Contractor, BF Corporation,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran told INQUIRER.net in a text message on Wednesday. “This suggestion shall be consulted with stakeholders, such as the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) and concerned LGUs (local government units) for proper planning, timing, communication and e...

Ridership in public transportation is beginning to rebound. Since the start of October during the easing of the general community quarantine (GCQ) the number of those taking public transportation, like trains, buses, jeepneys and UV Express vans, has slowly but steadily increased. And as ridership increases, so is the rush hour squeeze. Inevitably, people have become worried about the risks of contagion and being trapped in an enclosed space for the duration of a trip.  But for many, like essential workers, stopping commuting wasn't a choice. There's no alternative to mass transit. Not everyone owns or can even afford a car. Nonetheless, public health specialists urge that commuting be approached with caution. With all public transportation, there is always some risk of infection. After all, you are entering a public space. But it's possible to reduce that risk significantly by following these simpl...

If you've been on an MRT train in the past couple of days, you may have noticed something strange — from among other things , full personal protective equipments (PPE) that have become familiar wear for the medical frontliners are now being used by depot personnel, too. The move was in line with amendments to health protocols within MRT stations to protect employees and commuters against COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the virus inside offices and depots. With the significant rise in the number of people taking public transportation amid the easing of quarantine regulations on employees heading back to work and with over 200 depot personnel getting infected with the coronavirus, health and safety measures are now strictly enforced within Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) stations and trains for the safety of commuters. Here are 7 things you need to know before riding the MRT-3: 1. About 17 train sets, including 16 CKD train sets and a Dalian train set, are operating...

Metro trains are the main transport hubs in Metro Manila where the middle to mid-plus class commuters get cheap, quick rides to their workplaces: practicality meets speed. And, of course, there's the bicycles. At present, thousands of essential workers have resorted to biking after public transport became scarce amid the coronavirus lockdown. Clearly, bicycles have become popular, thanks to a whole slew of benefits such as improving health, transport flexibility and financial savings. At the same time, however, the advent of bicycle use for commuting have also contributed to some public frustration, especially when they can't find suitable, safe parking spaces for their bikes when they opt to ride a train. For bike commuters, choosing a place to park their bikes can be a challenge. Fortunately, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) through its Rail Sector, has started installing bicycle racks at some stations of the LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 and PNR transit lines. ...

Everyone makes mistakes now and then — as the saying goes, that’s why they put erasers on the end of pencils. Unfortunately for us Filipinos in the time of Covid-19, when we make mistakes we are very public and usually very costly — in a healthward and, sometimes, reputational sense. So, in no particular order, I thought we’d take a look at some decisions, with regards to commuting and motoring, where we might want a do-over if given the chance. And, with few exceptions, the people in question would likely never admit to these decisions being mistakes at all — nor would many who heeded to those. Regardless, sometimes things just don’t work as planned. The LRT social distancing fiasco Seems the LRT and the MRT lines as a whole is cursed in Metro Manila. Just recently, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) suspended its operations for a week following the surge in employees who tested positive for the coronavirus disease. Two hundred and two (202) MRT personnel wer...

Social distancing and mass transportation are two concepts that, quite literally, don’t sit well together. Yet even as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the country to implement stringent physical distancing measures, the government has needed to maintain public transport services for essential workers. But with ridership on MRT trains and buses increasing, the chances of contracting the disease can be high. According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the MRT-3 management had traced the stations and working shifts of ticket sellers who were tested positive for COVID-19 to help the riding public determine if they had direct contact with the station personnel. As of 6 July 2020, a total of 198 employees tested positive with the coronavirus disease, 177 of which are depot personnel, 3 train drivers, 2 Control Center personnel and 16 station personnel. The 16 station personnel who contracted the virus are ticket sellers— from North Avenue, GMA-Kamuning, Cubao and one on ...

With the imposition of a general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila along with an array of social restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), Filipinos are trying to adjust to a new normal that prioritizes public health during the pandemic and likely beyond. In this guide, I’ve rounded up the government's latest motoring guidelines to get you started, and to ensure your metro commuting is a safe, simple and worry-free experience. Contents 1. General guidelines 2. Modified number/color coding scheme - Exemptions 3. Private Vehicles - List of APORs 4. Public Utility Vehicles - Guidelines inside terminals - Cashless payments - LRT, MRT and PNR - Buses - Bus Routes - Modern jeepneys - UV Express - Taxis and TNVS - Motorcycle taxis - Tricycles 5. Commuters - Bike lanes - Pedestrian crossings - Bus/boarding stops General Guidelines - Mandatory wearing of face masks. - Social distancing. - For PUV...

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) released the guidelines for railway-based public transport operations in areas under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ). In a post from its Facebook page, DOTr said, 'The LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 and PNR will resume its operations with LIMITED CAPACITY after the lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) imposed in Metro Manila, or on May 16, 2020.' 'Upon the resumption of operations, all rail lines will observe the March 14, 2020 DOTr Guidelines on Community Quarantine, as well as additional health and safety measures pursuant to Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and Department of Health (DOH) Guidelines.' 'SOCIAL DISTANCING (1-meter) should be strictly observed inside the trains and stations. Presence of markings, signages, tarpaulins and other logistics will be utilized to ensure its firm implementation.' DOH Guidelines  Pursuant to DOH Guidelines, t...