Business Class Train Coaches for MRT-3: Why Not?

Senator Grace Poe proposed during the Senate hearing on Thursday, October 3, the possibility of providing business-class train coaches for the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) to help lessen traffic congestion around the Metro.

“May nagsabi sa akin. Ewan ko if this is something you can consider. But habang ginagawa ninyo ‘yung Dalian trains, baka daw pwedeng a few specific coaches or trains will be designated as business coaches (Someone told me. I don’t know if it’s something you can consider. But while they’re making the ‘Dalian trains’, maybe they can designate a few specific coaches or trains as business coaches),” she said.

The lady senator also suggested this proposal during the Senate hearing for the 2020 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). According to her, it will cost around PHP200 to PHPP300 to ride the premium train coaches. This guarantees paying customers space and a designated line.

“Meron silang guaranteed space and designated line. Bakit? Because ‘yung mga tao who can afford to pay that amount are probably those who have private vehicles (The commuters have guaranteed space and a designated line. Why? Because the people who can afford to pay for that amount are probably those who have private vehicles),” she added.

According to Inquirer.com, the senator first thought that the idea was “discriminatory,” but also considered the public’s right to choose better services even if they have to pay higher prices to avail them. Business-class options offered by airplane flights is one example of this.

She also added that the additional revenue can be used by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to implement more projects that will benefit the public.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Eduardo Tugade is open to the suggestion, and explained that they are planning to add three train classes in the railway lines they intend to construct in other areas of the Philippines.

“Pwede nating pag-aralan, kapag nakuha na natin ‘yung tamang numero na mag-o-operate (We can study that once we already have the number of trains that can operate),” he said.