DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon Responds to Light Rail Transit Issues
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon recently addressed the pressing concerns raised by former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza regarding the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Mendoza shared her firsthand experience riding both LRT-1 and LRT-2, highlighting several challenges commuters face daily. The key issues she raised include insufficient beep cards, malfunctioning ticket vending machines, long queues for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) discounts, and technical problems in train operations.
“I know you are hardworking and reliable, that’s why I wrote to you,” Mendoza said in Filipino. She also suggested, “Give your budget students free rides. If they try to get out of Congress, they will see some of the reasons why people are struggling to protect the public’s money.” This open letter sparked a detailed response from Secretary Dizon, who used the DOTr’s official channels to address each concern carefully.
Insufficient Beep Cards Plague Commuters
Mendoza pointed out the lack of beep cards at train stations, saying, “There is no shortage of stored value cards, even if you want to save time and avoid the constant queues, there is nothing to buy. They say they have run out.” Dizon acknowledged this issue, confirming the shortage has led to fake beep cards being sold online. The DOTr has already worked with the Philippine National Police Cybercrime Group to track down these counterfeit sellers.
Furthermore, Dizon assured that the agency has urged Beep to increase the supply and prevent stations from running out. “We will not stop communicating with them about the matter,” he said. Looking ahead, he revealed plans to open the LRT and MRT to alternative card payment systems after this year, giving commuters more options. To tackle the beep card scarcity, the DOTr is also piloting a cashless payment method on MRT-3, with hopes to expand it to the LRT lines soon.
Addressing Defective Ticket Vending Machines
Mendoza observed that at LRT-2, three out of five ticket vending machines were broken, while the remaining two were in “a closed mode.” She asked, “What happened?” Secretary Dizon admitted the machines are old and often malfunctioning. He has ordered train line operators to repair the broken units and purchase newer, more reliable machines.
He also warned contractors that failure to promptly fix these machines will result in fines. This firm stance aims to ensure smoother ticket purchasing for daily commuters.
Long Queues for Senior and PWD Discounts
Mendoza noted the frustratingly long lines for senior citizens and PWDs, who still must write their names, numbers, and sign before receiving their discounted card. She suggested using scanners to speed up the process, thanking the guards for their respectful treatment.
Dizon explained that COA rules require the names of beneficiaries for the 50% discount to be listed. However, he said the DOTr has requested COA to accept alternative proofs like photo IDs to ease the process. “We are trying our best to make this easier, but you know, ma’am, our staff are afraid of the COA,” he said. Dizon hopes Mendoza can help communicate this need to the COA to reduce the hassle for senior and PWD passengers.
Explaining the Recent LRT Malfunction
Mendoza also pointed out a recent LRT-2 malfunction that lacked sufficient public notice. She described how passengers were informed by a tired-voiced guard that “There is no train!” after enduring long lines and steep stairs. Fortunately, she said, passengers did not complain about the lack of information.
Dizon clarified the problem was caused by lightning striking a catenary wire near Antipolo Station. He praised the engineers who quickly worked to restore services. Shuttle vans were deployed for affected passengers, though he admitted the number was insufficient. Still, the measures helped reduce the number of stranded commuters.
Commitment to Improving Light Rail Transit Services
The DOTr chief thanked Mendoza for her valuable feedback, recognizing that her insights are crucial for improving train services nationwide. “Our trains have really been neglected for too long, so there are many things that really need to be fixed to improve the services,” he said.
Over the past five months, the DOTr has focused on addressing the small but significant daily issues that burden commuters. Secretary Dizon remains committed to enhancing the experience for all who rely on the LRT and MRT systems.
For more news and updates on Light Rail Transit, visit Filipinokami.com.
