LRT, MRT, PNR to resume limited ops starting June 1

All rail operations will resume operations but in a limited capacity on June 1, the first day of the general community quarantine in Metro Manila, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Thursday night.

In a nationally televised press briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, Tugade said the LRT and MRT trains will carry 10% to 12% of their passenger capacity, while the Philippine National Railways' trains will travel with 35% passenger capacity per trip.

“Kung tayo’y mag transition from MECQ to GCQ, on the first day we can already put into operation our train and railways,” Tugade said.

“Namarkahan na ‘yong bawat upuan, bawat handrail, ticket booth, queing, nakahanda na ho ito,” he said. “‘Pag sinabing Lunes, handa ho kami sa Lunes bagamat sasabihin kong ‘wag i-expect ang operation ay 100 percent.”

“While the mandate of the DOTr is to provide transport mobility among its population, it is now vested with the responsibility to help in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” Tugade said.

He added that the department's approach will be “partial, gradual, calculated and by phases.”

Meanwhile, Tugade also said the DOTr will be implementing a bus augmentation system to support the limited passenger capacity in trains.

Bicycle lanes will also not be limited to EDSA but will be implemented in other parts of the country as well, he added.

“Ultimately magkakaroon ng tinatawag na bike lane kung saan nakikpag-kapit bisig kami with MMDA and DPWH para mabuhay ulit ang bicycle lane,” Tugade said. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News