MRT-3 to resume segregating passengers beginning August 21, 2022

Traffic in Metro Manila sure looks like it's returning to pre-pandemic levels. With the return of the number coding scheme from 7 AM to 10 AM in addition to 5 PM to 8 PM on weekdays, it’s highly likely that more motorists will be looking into public transport for their daily commute.

If you’re a regular passenger of the MRT-3, be advised that the railway’s management has announced a return to the segregation scheme beginning on August 21, 2022. This change will apply across all stations of the MRT-3.

What does this mean? The lead train car is allocated exclusively to specific passengers, with the first two doors only accessible to senior citizens, pregnant women, passengers with children, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Meanwhile, the last three doors of the first car are exclusive for female passengers only. The second and third car will be accessible to all types of passengers, according to an infographic published on Facebook.

The segregation scheme on the MRT-3 is seen to help more vulnerable passengers have more confidence riding the railway system. It could also boost ridership figures especially with women, older folk, and disabled people. 

That’s not all, however, as the upcoming return to face-to-face classes would also bring more students into the MRT-3. To this end, students with valid school IDs, original enrollment forms, or registration forms are all entitled to a 20-percent fare discount for single-journey tickets.

While the segregation scheme has been regularly implemented in years past, there could be no telling if it would see the same level of acceptance as it used to. The life of a regular train passenger in Metro Manila has been turbulent, to say the least, but change such as this could just as easily change things for the better. It’s currently unknown whether other railway systems could follow in bringing back the segregation scheme.