Aquino spokespersons take MRT challenge

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - President Aquino's spokespersons on Monday took the challenge of daily commuters: ride the mass rapid transit systems of Metro Manila during rush hour.

On Twitter, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said she took the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 this morning from the North Edsa Station in Quezon City to the Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City.

Valte said she lined up at 8:24 a.m. and was able to board the train at 9:01 a.m.

She was only able to get a seat after the train unloaded passengers at the Ayala Station. She then got off at the Taft Station by 9:41 a.m.

The Palace official then rode the Light Rail Transit 1 from its Taft Station to Central Station in Manila.

Describing her MRT experience, Valte said on Twitter: "The ride itself was okay. Lining up along EDSA? Lot to be desired. Line to buy the ticket was about 10 people deep."

Valte said she took the train with Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Aquino's deputy spokesperson said she appreciates all the commuters who bear with the service of the MRT every day.

"We continue to ask for your understanding as we continue to push for improvements," Valte said. 

The so-called MRT challenge was given to government officials amid the operational and maintenance problems that plagued the transit system.

Senator Grace Poe, who is conducting an ongoing inquiry into the state of the MRT 3, took the same train on Friday to get a first-hand experience of daily commuters.

The Senate probe is held weeks after more than 30 passengers where hurt when a defective MRT 3 train overshot the railway tracks and crashed into a barrier at the Taft Avenue Station. - Louis Bacani