Dizon suspends MRT-3 luggage policy

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has directed the managers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 to suspend the passenger restriction on the size of carry-on luggage they can take when riding the MRT-3.

In a statement, the Department of Transportation said Dizon wants the luggage policy of MRT-3 reviewed to ensure it responds to the needs of commuters.

“Secretary Dizon questions this policy and has immediately ordered MRT-3 general manager Michael Capati to suspend and review it – stressing this should not make the lives of commuters even more difficult,” the statement reads.

In response, Capati lifted the MRT-3’s luggage restriction temporarily.

He said the management would also gather inputs from commuters in revising the policy.

“GM Capati committed to review the policy to ensure the comfort and welfare of our commuters, (and) the MRT-3 management assures them their inputs are always considered in crafting policy decisions,” the MRT-3 management said.

Recently, the Facebook page of MRT-3 reminded commuters that the railway observes a size limit in carry-on bags to maximize the space of trains.

It said passengers, as a policy, are prohibited from bringing inside the MRT-3 any luggage that exceeds two feet by two feet in width and length.

The policy has been criticized by netizens who believe it is anti-commuter to restrict entry to those carrying large bags.

Activist and writer Angelo Suarez said the luggage restriction is too small to even cover students who use trolley bags to schools.

He asked the MRT-3 management to reconsider the policy and to better understand the plight of commuters.

Social media users also pointed out that some travelers from the north of Metro Manila prefer to take the MRT-3 to the closest they can to reach the airport.

They lamented that not everyone can pay for a ride-hailing or taxi service from the north to the south of Metro Manila.

The baggage restriction is the second MRT-3 policy that Dizon has questioned as part of his program to rethink public transport. — Ghio Ong