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 socio-
economic 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 Landmark

North Avenue SM City, Trinoma Mall and the
MRT Depot
Quezon Avenue Handicapped Access ABS-CBN Broadcasting
Corporation
Kamuning Handicapped Access GMA Network
Araneta Center-Cubao Handicapped Access, Connecting Araneta Coliseum, Gateway
to LRT Line 2 (Purple Line) Mall and Ali Mall
Santolan-Annapolis Camp Crame and Soliven
Shopping Center
Ortigas Handicapped Access St. Pedro Poveda College,
Robinsons Galleria and SM
Megamall
Shaw Boulevard Handicapped Access Shangri-La Mall, EDSA Central
and Star Mall
Boni Avenue Wendy’s Pioneer, Robinsons
Place Pioneer and Pioneer
Highlands
Guadalupe San Carlos Seminary, Our Lady
of Guadalupe Minor Seminar
and Guadalupe Commercial
Complex
Buendia Handicapped Access Shell Station (Edsa corner
Buendia) and North Forbes
Park
Ayala Handicapped Access SM Mall, Ayala Shopping
Center and Hotel
Intercontinental
Magallanes Dasmarinas Village and
Magallanes Flyover
Taft Avenue Handicapped Access, Connecting Metropoint Mall and Winston
to LRT (Yellow Line) Lodge
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 Valid on the day of purchase.
MRT Stored Value Tickets A Php 100.00 ($2.48) value and is valid for
three months from date of purchase.
G-Pass 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 Money Pay Pass 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.

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