That is one long ass line.
We’re used to hearing news about the MRT-3 breaking down almost on a daily, but what we’re not used to is news of it operating normally — and commuters still having to go through a long queue.
Some passengers complained about the long queue at the MRT-3 North Ave. station in Quezon City earlier this morning, ABS-CBN News reported. The line spilled over all the way to the neighboring mall, SM North Edsa.
The weird thing is that MRT-3 maintenance director Engr. Mike Capati told ABS-CBN News that the trains weren’t malfunctioning. Operations have been normal and there were no hitches since it opened at 4:30am earlier today, the same report added.
Which means, our public transportation system just might really suck.
Edil Despe told Coconuts Manila that it took him an hour before he got aboard a train in the MRT North Ave station. It usually takes him two hours to get to his office in Makati City (getting off at the Ayala station), but today, it took him three hours.
The queue for the southbound line — where most commuters from the north usually board to get to respective work offices in Cubao, Pasig, Makati, and the likes — spilled over from Trinoma Mall, where the station is, up to the pedestrian footbridge which connects to the SM North Edsa mall at around 7am, radio station DZMM reported.
It’s a 10-minute walk from Trinoma to SM North Edsa.
Capati said the line was probably long because it’s the first day of the work week, the same report added.
Sure, tell that to every MRT-3 commuter late for work today.
But many don’t have a choice but to ride the trains. Apart from those who don’t have cars, it’s not like driving is much better.
In Metro Manila, it is not uncommon to travel 8.5 kilometers by car for two hours. The Japan International Cooperation Agency released data showing that the Philippines loses PHP3.5 billion (US$64.9 million) a day due to the metro’s traffic.
Here’s hoping the city gets a better public transportation system soon. This is getting ridiculous.
