On Sunday, June 1, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) called on the family of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to take the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) during rush hour so that they could experience the daily struggles of commuters.
This, after the family and a few other cabinet members boarded a train to launch the Pamilya Pass fare promo for MRT Line 3 and Light Right Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2. In photos, Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and their sons Joseph Simon, William Vincent, and Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos are seen sitting in the train’s first car with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon and Communications Secretary Jaybee Ruiz.
The first cars on the MRT-3 are typically reserved for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, pregnant passengers or those with children, and female passengers. But space was made for the president’s family.
“Kung tunay na nais ni Pangulong Marcos na maunawaan ang dinaranas ng taumbayan, dapat maranasan niya mismo ang siksikan, mahabang pila, at araw-gabing kalbaryo sa pag-commute,” said KMP Chairman Danilo Ramos, who ran for a Senate seat in the recent elections.
In their statement, the KMP added that rush hours on the train are expected to worsen with the upcoming EDSA rebuild, especially on the MRT-3 that moves along the major highway. While the rehabilitation project and the planned odd-even coding scheme have been suspended, the DOTr earlier stated that it was eyeing early operating hours for the MRT to allow more commuters to use the trains.
Despite longer opening hours, lines for tickets, bag checks, and trains remain long during rush hours, typically at the start of the work day, during lunch time, and in the evening. The KMP also pointed out that crowded trains are a health and safety hazard.
