DOTr eyes to ease long queues at LRT-1 PITX station

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to implement immediate measures to ease long queues and overcrowding at the LRT-1 PITX Station.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the station on Monday following complaints from commuters about the congested area and consistently long queues. The entrance, exit, and ticket-selling areas are currently concentrated in one location, causing passenger congestion.

Dizon said the station accommodates around 27,000 passengers daily, with the heaviest volume recorded between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

As an immediate solution, the DOTr will redirect passengers to the ticket booths on the station’s ground floor to help ease congestion.

“Kung napansin ninyo, itong bilihan ng ticket na ito, walang tao dito. Lahat ng tao nasa loob ng mall ng PITX. Ang immediate solution natin ay i-implement natin siguro tomorrow is mag-move tayo ng tao from the mall para dito na sila bibili ng ticket pagkababa nila sa bus sa PITX,” Dizon said.

The agency will also install additional signages to guide passengers toward the designated ticket-selling area, add additional ticket booths outside the station entrance inside the mall before Christmas, and add entry gates to improve passenger flow.

A pedestrian crossing has also been opened to provide commuters with direct access to the station without having to pass through the mall.

“Kasi number one, hindi nila alam and number two, mahirap pumunta dito kasi nakasara o pinagbabawal natin ‘yung pagpunta dito from PITX,” he said.

For a long-term solution, the agency plans to begin construction next year of a pedestrian walkway connecting the LRT-1 station to PITX.

“Pagbaba nila ng bus sa second, third floor, tatawid na lang nila sa ibabaw nito,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DOTr is offering free rides on LRT-1 on November 9, 11, and 13, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., in line with the ASEAN activities scheduled on those dates.