Long lines of commuters as MRT3 halts ops for maintenance

Long lines of commuters snaked down streets in Metro Manila on Wednesday, while heavy traffic flow on several roads was seen as “revenge travel” by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

According to Mariz Umali’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, a buildup of traffic was seen on Main Avenue in Quezon City, EDSA Guadalupe, and at the SLEX Calamba toll plaza.

“Mayroong 'revenge travel' ngayon at dahil sabik na sabik po yung ating mga kababayan na makabiyahe,” MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.

(There is currently revenge travel because our countrymen are very eager to travel.)

“Noong nakaraang weekend, hanggang Monday and Tuesday kahapon, marami na pong nauna na umuwi sa probinsya. In fact, kausap natin yung general manager ng PITX, halos everyday 100,000 na passengers ang gumagamit ng PITX pauwi ng probinsya, so marami na rin pong nakauwi,” Artes said.

(Last weekend, until Monday and Tuesday yesterday, many of them went home to the province first. In fact, we talked to the general manager of PITX, almost 100,000 passengers were recorded going home to the province, so many have already returned home.)

Meanwhile, passengers also formed a long queue in EDSA Bus Carousel following the suspension of MRT3 operations to give way for the rail line's annual preventive maintenance activities.

“Mahirap kasi una sa lahat, malayo, tapos may kapansanan ako, mahirap maglakad. Pawis na pawis na nga ako. Pati mga senior nakakaawa. Dito ang pinakasakayan daw,” passenger Julian Palmer said.

(It's hard because first of all it's far away and I also have a disability, it's hard to walk. I'm already sweaty, even seniors are having a hard time.)

“First time po kasi namin ngayon kaya ang hirap po kinakapa pa po kami. Tiyaga lang po talaga kahit traffic makauwi lang po,” another passenger, Tricia Lapitan, said.

(It's our first time now, so we're still learning it. We're just trying to be patient in this traffic so we can get home.)

According to the MMDA, bus trips to the province are now also allowed as long as they do not go on EDSA.

The MMDA said it has been inspecting public transport drivers to ensure that they are not under the influence of drugs.

Meanwhile, a total of 61 public utility vehicle drivers, conductors, and dispatchers tested positive for illegal drugs ahead of Holy Week, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News