Philippines - Taking The Mrt3

Friday, May 9, 2008

Taking the MRT3

The Manila Metro Rail Transit System more popularly called as Metrostar Express, Metrostar, MRT-3 Blue Line, or just plain MRT seats in the very heart of the metropolis, along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or much popularly known as EDSA. There is a saying that “when you are lost seek EDSA”, that is actually true for most people. Basically EDSA is a household name, and to prove that do you know any person (aside from foreigners) who have not passed by EDSA at some point in their lives? I guess not. History It is a known fact that the Metro Manila is the seat of the Philippine political and socioeconomic activities, and for so many years it has seen the massive increase in vehicle and commuter population. The heavy traffic, population and pollution have plagued the Metro Manila district for years, and probably for years to come. The EDSA Avenue is considered to be among to have the highest volume of traffic in the world. It is shaped as a semi-circular ring road that links to several roads that lead to the metro’s political, social and economic centers. The MRT3 is part of a vision to have a network of rapid transit lines that spans 150 kilometers through the major cities within 20 years, and that plan includes EDSA. The construction of the railway commenced on September 16, 1997. The initial part of the railway, from North Avenue to Buendia was opened on December 16, 1999 and on July 20, 2000 the remaining station, Buendia to Taft Avenue, was opened to the public.

Route Map, Services & Landmarks Stations

Other Services

North Avenue

SM City, Trinoma Mall and the MRT Depot Handicapped Access ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation Handicapped Access GMA Network Handicapped Access, Connecting Araneta Coliseum, Gateway to LRT Line 2 (Purple Line) Mall and Ali Mall Camp Crame and Soliven Shopping Center Handicapped Access St. Pedro Poveda College, Robinsons Galleria and SM Megamall Handicapped Access Shangri-La Mall, EDSA Central and Star Mall Wendy’s Pioneer, Robinsons Place Pioneer and Pioneer Highlands San Carlos Seminary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminar and Guadalupe Commercial Complex Handicapped Access Shell Station (Edsa corner Buendia) and North Forbes Park Handicapped Access SM Mall, Ayala Shopping Center and Hotel Intercontinental Dasmarinas Village and Magallanes Flyover Handicapped Access, Connecting Metropoint Mall and Winston to LRT (Yellow Line) Lodge

Quezon Avenue Kamuning Araneta Center-Cubao Santolan-Annapolis Ortigas

Shaw Boulevard Boni Avenue

Guadalupe

Buendia

Ayala

Magallanes Taft Avenue

Landmark

Shops and Freebies Shops are available at some of the stations where commuters can buy some food and drinks. The number of shop varies by station, depending on the volume of commuters. Inquirer Libre is a free newspaper tabloid, a Filipino version of the Inquirer. The newspaper tabloid is delivered daily around 6:00AM. The giving away of the free newspaper tabloid is made possible by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Fares Commuters of MRT are charged Php10.00 ($0.25) for the first 3 stations, Php 11.00 ($0.27) for 4 to 5 stations, Php 12.00 ($0.29) for 6 to 8 stations, Php 14.00 ($0.34) for 9 to 11 stations, and Php 15.00 ($0.37) for the 12 stations. Children who are below the height of the fare gate (3-feet and 4.4-inch) are free to ride on the MRT.

Tickets

Type

Description

MRT Single-Journey Tickets MRT Stored Value Tickets

Valid on the day of purchase. A Php 100.00 ($2.48) value and is valid for three months from date of purchase. From Globe Telecom, it was introduced in July 2006 as an alternative for paying for fares. It cost an initial amount of Php 100.00 ($2.48). Smart Communications has partnered with Manila Metro Rail Transit System on March 2007 to permit MRT commuters to pay for fare using Smart Money PayPass card. Today there is still no formal date of the launching of the new MRT ticketing system.

G-Pass

Smart Money Pay Pass

Reference: Article • • •

http://www.dotcmrt3.gov.ph/stations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Metro_Rail_Transit_System http://www.yehey.com/mlrt/mrt3a.aspx