Passengers traveling via the LRT-2 Araneta Center-Cubao station in Quezon City wear face masks in light of the upheld mask mandate within train lines on April 25, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA — Akbayan Party-list on Friday urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to reconsider its appeal to extend the operating hours of Metro Manila's three railways to midnight, after the agency rejected the proposal as unfeasible.

The transportation department said while the appeal may "provide greater convenience to commuters, it may compromise the maintenance time of the rail systems". 

DOTr said this may put more passengers at risk since maintenance work is done during the trains' downtimes.

Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said DOTr should hold dialogues with commuters before dismissing the call.

"Makinig at makisimpatiya naman ang DOTr sa ating mga commuters imbes na agarang magsara ng pinto sa panukalang i-extend ang MRT-LRT operations,” he stressed in a statement.

(DOTr should listen to and sympathize with commuters instead of automatically shutting the door to the call to extend MRT and LRt operations)

“Every day, commuters, especially [Business Process Outsourcing] workers and night-shift employees, face immense hardships. Extending train hours by even one or two hours can significantly alleviate their struggles, providing them with safe, efficient, and reliable transportation options after long hours of work," Cendaña said.

He also pointed out that Metro Manila’s rail systems shouldfollow the train services standards in other Asian capitals like Bangkok, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Singapore, where Cendaña said trains do operate until midnight.

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'KUNG GUSTO, MAY PARAAN...'

The party-list hopes DOTr will hold discussions with stakeholders on extending the operating hours of railway systems and other reforms that the commuters need.

“Halimbawa, puwede namang i-extend pa rin ang operations pero tuwing MWF lang or kung anong days of the week mataas ang ridership,” Cendaña said.

(For example, how about extended hours on certain days, or on the days of the week when ridership is high)

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“Maraming options. Kung gusto, may paraan. Kung ayaw, may dahilan,” he added.

(There are many options. They will find a way if they really want to, or find an excuse if they really don't)

Akbayan kicked off a signature campaign on Thursday and trooped to the MRT-3 Quezon Avenue station to collect support for extending the train station hours.

The group said it is vital to alleviate the "worsening transport crisis" in Metro Manila.

"The DOTr must listen to the voices of commuters before shutting down their appeals. Public transportation is a public service—it must serve the people," Cendaña added.

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