Good news, commuters!
President Duterte announced that the government will offer free rides at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) for at least a month following the completion of its rehabilitation works.
"I’d like to announce that Secretary Tugade and I decided that the MRT-3 rides will be free—hindi naman (not) forever—but from March 28 to April 30, 2022," Duterte said on Tuesday, March 22.
Duterte said this in his speech during the inauguration of the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project at the Shaw Boulevard Station in Mandaluyong City where he unveiled the marker signifying the completion of the project.
"The MRT 3 is proof that we are keeping our momentum in improving our systems, which aims to deliver quality service to the Filipino people and respond to the emergence of the new normal," Duterte said.
In his speech, Duterte acknowledged MRT-3 service providers Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and TES Philippines, Inc. who were contracted by the rail line management for the rehabilitation project.
"With the joint efforts of these companies and the DOTr, we have increased our train speed from 25 kilometers per hour to 60 kilometers per hour while the time interval between train arrivals has improved ," he said.
"Also, before, we only had 12 to 15 operating units. Now, there are already 18 to 22 trains to serve the people. This progress will decrease—if not altogether stop—the number of unloading incidents in our stations," he added.
He also thanked the Government of Japan for taking part not only in the MRT-3 project but also in other programs of the Philippine government.
"As my tenure in office approaches (its) end, I assure the Filipino people that I will give no room for laxity and complacency in public service, even amidst the global challenges that test our strength as catalysts of change," Duterte said.
Apart from improving the operating speed, also included in the completed rehabilitation project are the upgraded signaling, communications and CCTV systems, repair of all station escalators and elevators, and the installation of air conditioning units inside the trains.