The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) banned talking inside the Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT2) trains to curb the further spread of COVID-19.
Passengers are not allowed to talk to each other nor answer their phones while inside the train, GMA News’ James Agustin reported Friday on “Unang Hirit.”
According to LRTA spokesperson Atty. Hernando Cabrera, LRT2 authorities would start issuing a warning to the violators today as they finalize their next action.
“Kung talagang maraming pasaway, mapipilitan tayo na talagang gumawa pa ng mas strikto pa na aksyon laban doon sa mga nagsasalita, nakikipag-usap o gumagamit ng telepono, sumasagot ng tawag habang sila ay nasa loob ng tren,” Cabrera said.
(If many violated, we would be forced to implement a stricter action against those who would talk or answer their phones while they are inside the train.)
Also read: LRT-2 suspends deployment of ticket sellers
The spokesperson also responded to concerns of some passengers when it comes to emergency calls inside LRT2 trains.
“‘Yung emergency kasi, kung titingnan natin, ‘yung buong biyahe ng tren magmula Cubao hanggang Recto mga 20 minutes lang ‘yan eh. So sa tingin ko naman ‘yung haba na ‘yon enough na ‘yon para makapaghintay sila para magamit nila ‘yung kanilang mga telepono paglabas o pagbaba nila ng tren,” Cabrera said.
(For emergency, if we look at it, the whole train ride from Cubao to Recto is only about 20 minutes. So I think that length is enough for them to wait for them to use their phones when they get out or get off the train.)
Cabrera also said the commonly-touched areas at LRT2 stations such as elevators, ticket vending machines, escalators, and handrails are being disinfected every 45 minutes or an hour.
As of this posting, LRT2 station reported two cases among its depot personnel who are already in isolation.
Last week, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) also banned commuters from speaking and answering calls inside the trains.
MRT3 resumed its operations on July 13, in a limited capacity after it was able to assemble enough workforce who are not infected with COVID-19.