The respective managements of Metro Manila's major railway systems have assured passengers that they will remain operational during the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period, which will start Friday, Aug. 6.
In separate statements, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2) said they will keep their trains running, along with a strict enforcement of health and safety protocols during the lockdown. The ECQ will last until Aug. 20.
The three rail lines reiterated that only authorized persons outside of residence or APORs will be allowed to board the trains during the ECQ period as stated in the guidelines set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
For MRT-3 passengers, the management said it will maintain its normal operating hours. The first trip from North Avenue station and Taft Avenue station is at 4:37 a.m. and 5:17 a.m., respectively, while the last trip will leave North Avenue at 9:30 p.m. and 10:10 p.m. from Taft Avenue.
The MRT-3 management added that it will retain the 30 percent passenger capacity of its trains or up to 124 passengers per train car or 372 per train set.
There will also be no changes in the train schedule of LRT-1 during the ECQ in the National Capital Region (NCR), its operator, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) announced.
The LRMC said the first trip from both Baclaran and Balintawak stations is at 4:30 a.m., while the last trip from Baclaran is at 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. from Balintawak.
Meanwhile, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) will adjust LRT-2's operating schedule due to the implementation of the ECQ and the 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew to be imposed in NCR as agreed upon by Metro Manila mayors.
From August 6 to 20, LRT-2 trains will operate from 5 a.m. to 6:20 p.m from Santolan to Recto stations and vice versa; 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Antipolo to Santolan; and 5 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. from Santolan to Antipolo.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade earlier announced that current public transport supply and capacity will be retained during the ECQ following IATF's approval of continued operation of public transportation.
However, Tugade emphasized that only APORs as identified by the IATF will be accommodated by public transport services.
The DOTr chief further reminded passengers to strictly observe the following seven commandments of public transport, especially with the threat of the highly-contagious Delta variant:
1. Wear masks and face shields
2. No talking and making phone calls
3. No eating
4. Keep public utility vehicles well-ventilated
5. Conduct frequent disinfection
6. No passengers with COVID-19 symptoms are to be allowed inside the public transportation
7. Observe appropriate physical distancing rule