Four-car trains, shorter queues, crackdowns on “uni-ride” scams - these and more are just some of the plans and programs being implemented by the Department of Transportation to improve the experience of passengers in the country’s different transportation systems.

Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he and new Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda are set to make the rounds of several MRT stations to troubleshoot various problems.

“Kailangang pabilisin at gawing mas convenient ang pagbibiyahe ng mga tao,” he said.

One problem he is targeting is the long queues at MRT ticket booths due to passengers buying single journey tickets.

“Kasi bumibili pa rin ng single journey tickets, mga paisa-isa. ‘Yun nagko-cause ng pila…Baka mayroon solution ang DICT,” he said.

The transportation chief has also tasked the private operator to check reports of scam ads selling Beep cards that offer “unlimited rides.”

“Kailangang matigil ang mga scam na ganyan. Gagamit ng Beep card pero di naman gagana,” he said. 

Transport chief instructs MRT-3 to extend operations, add trains

The Metro Rail Transit-3 is set to deploy four-car trains during peak hours starting Easter Monday, April 21.

The 3 four-car trains will be deployed during morning and afternoon peak hours, while 16 trains will retain the current three-car configuration. Each train car can carry up to 394 passengers, which means each four-car train can accommodate around 1,576 passengers.

The MRT is currently deploying 16 three-car trains.

In the interview, Dizon said the MRT was shut down for its annual maintenance during the Holy Week break to ensure the safety of the railway system.

He said historically, ridership is at its lowest during Holy Week.

“Huwebes Santo hanggang Sabadao de Gloria, naka maintenance lahat ng train natin para walang aberya ngayong dadagsa ang pasahero ngayong Lunes,” he said.

“Kailangan ang yearly maintenance, mas mahirap kung magka aberya kapag regular na araw,” he added. 

1 MILLION PASSENGERS DURING HOLY WEEK

Meanwhile, the transport chief said a million passengers passed through the country’s airports during Holy Week. “Ito ang pinakamataas. Mas mataas ito compared to last year,” he said.

Dizon said improvements in the country’s immigration processing times led to shorter queues during the top travel season. 

The DOTr is also cracking down on bus companies with dilapidated terminals. Dizon warned bus firms they could face heavy penalties including suspension if they fail to improve their facilities.

“Walang upuan, walang electric fan, CR. Ngayong linggo, 29 bus companies ang ipinatawag natin na nakitaan ng hindi maayos. Bibigyan ng taning itong mga bus company na ito para ayusin ito. Kung hindi nila, aayusin, pasensyahan na lang sa mai-impose na mapenalty sa kanila, baka masuspinde pa sila,” he said.

The Land Transportation Office is also set to suspend or cancel driver’s licenses of 80 drivers who tested positive for illegal drugs.