MRT-3 suspends hand-carried luggage policy
Heads up, commuters: The rule that limits the size of hand-carried luggage on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 has been suspended.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Friday, April 4, the MRT-3 management said general manager Michael Capati has "immediately ordered the suspension of the old policy on bringing hand-carried luggage inside the train," following an order from the Department of Transportation.
It noted that Capati "also committed to review the policy to ensure the comfort and welfare of commuters."
"The MRT-3 management assures the public that their inputs are always considered in crafting policy decisions," it added.
This comes came after the MRT-3 announced the policy on April 2, saying that commuters' luggage must not exceed 2 ft. by 2 ft. in size as large suitcases occupy spaces intended for other train passengers.
It drew flak on social media, with some people pointing out that it’s “anti-poor” and “anti-commuter.”
"Only in the Philippines! Mas importante ang kita kaysa sa makatulong sa pasahero. Kakahiya kayo!" a Facebook user wrote.
"Napakaanti-commuter niyo!" another one commented.
A Facebook user also described it as "another anti-poor policy."
Following social media backlash, the DOTr said in a statement on Thursday, April 3 that Secretary Vince Dizon was already informed about it.
“Secretary Dizon questions this policy and has immediately ordered MRT-3 General Manager Michael Capati to suspend and review it, stressing that this should not make the lives of commuters even more difficult,” it said.