A business group urged the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to allow rail systems in Metro Manila to raise the allowable passenger capacity to 50 percent to manage passenger flow better amid the coronavirus pandemic. Timothy John Batan, Transportation undersecretary for railways, has said rail networks can resume operations, but at reduced capacity. Before the coronavirus pandemic, passenger volume at the MRT-3 was at more than 500,000 commuters each day, higher than its original capacity of 350,000 passengers. The LRT-1 used to accommodate 300,000 to 500,000 riders while the LRT-2 has a 240,000-passenger capacity. The “movement of people and cargo via rail is recognized to be one of the most efficient forms of public transportation as it allows high passenger throughput, exclusive right of way and use of full rolling stock,” MAP said.

Source: Manila Times August 27, 2020 16:41 UTC