DOTr eyes removal of MRT X-ray scanners to decongest long queues
The Department of Transportation is considering removing the X-ray scanners at the MRT-3 station entrances to ease long lines.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said that they are looking to enhance security checks with the help of modern technologies.
“Hopefully po, sa tulong ng [Department of Information and Communications Technology], makakapagdagdag tayo ng mga security measures dito sa mga istasyon para later on completely matanggal na nating itong mga X-ray dito sa mga istasyon kasi yun talaga ang nagpapahaba ng mga pila eh,” Dizon told Super Radyo dzBB on Monday.
He added that passengers without bags are allowed to skip X-ray scanners, which helped ease the long lines when entering MRT stations.
“'Pag meron tayong bagong teknolohiya sa tulong ng DICT natin eh baka ma-eliminate na natin ang lahat ng X-ray kasi nga makikita mo naman sa ibang bansa pag sumakay ka sa mga MRT, subway, metro, wala naman x-ray dun kasi nga may mga ginagamit silang teknolohiya para masigurado pa rin ‘yung seguridad ng mga bumabyahe at yung mga pasilidad,” the DOTr Secretary added.
Dizon, alongside DICT Secretary Henry Aguda and DOTr MRT-3 GM Michael Capati, inspected several MRT stations on Monday morning per the instructions of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
On enhancing security, Dizon said they deployed additional law enforcement personnel, including from the Coast Guard and the police, and K-9 units in stations.
Also, to help solve long lines, the agency deployed four-car trains to carry more passengers during peak hours in the morning and afternoon, adding to the current 16 three-train cars.
Additionally, they are looking at adding more train cars while considering the adjustments to be made by Sumitomo, the MRT-3’s maintenance operator.
DOTr is in talks with the operators of LRT Lines 1 and 2 about increasing their train capacity.
“Kausap po natin ang Metro Pacific at ang Ayala para magdagdag din po ng tren doon. So ang issue lang yata doon ay yung mga tren na mine-maintain. Kailangan lang sigurado na lahat ng tren ay maayos para makapagdagdag tayo, pero tingin ko makakapagdagdag tayo sa LRT-1 pati na rin sa LRT-2,” Dizon told the outlet.
