NU12 #8 - LRT/MRT cards by Athens Cruz

Whenever I go somewhere in Metro Manila, I usually ride the LRT Line 1 and 2 and also the MRT so I can go to my destination fast. However, there are times when I am stuck because of the long queue buying the tickets. It had caused me too much delay on my previous engagements, and being late is not my thing. I want people to respect me and also my time, so I try as much as I can to come in at least 15 minutes before the appointment. But with too much traffic particularly along EDSA and Taft Avenue, the best resort is to ride these trains.

My idea of putting the single journey cards to convenient stores such as 7-11 or Ministop is not totally new. In other countries transit cards or T-money (for South Korea) can be reloaded at some convenient store. I think this is the time for us now to take actions like this to help frequent commuters who can't sometimes avail the stored-value card. Although in MRT and LRT Line 2 they have dispatched machines that dispenses card, the dilemma of commuters is that it only takes in coins, sometimes you have to try and try the coins until it comes through the machine. This adds burden to all the commuters in the queue.<are not operational>3

The administration of both train lines should try using this solution to lessen the people in queues for the tickets. They should at least look for convenient stores near the train stations.

Sincerely,

Athens S. Cruz
+63 916-7056719