Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday, March 25, that the extended operating hours of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) bring a "welcome respite" for commuters.
"Tired and weary from work, our kababayans taking the train often have to rush to beat the train's last trip going home," she said.
With the EDSA rehabilitation underway, Poe said that more people are expected to leave their cars at home than brave the gridlock.
She added that commuters must be assured of sufficient and efficient public transportation.
The train's additional operating hours, according to the senator, must be complemented with adequate security, help desks, and maintenance of facilities for the commuters' overall convenient ride.
"It has been said that a good indicator of a progressive country is not everyone owning a car, but even the wealthy using public transportation," she said.
"While miles away from this, every little initiative is a step closer to the goal," she added.
The Light Rail Manila Corporation announced that operating hours of Light Rain Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) will be extended by 30 minutes.
On the other hand, the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) will also be implementing extended operating hours with different schedules.