Snow World

Buendia Station

Idea #5: Control the Number of people entering the platform

The Yellow Line (formerly LRT/LRT-1) did this before (and I think they’re still doing this today). The Yellow Line people are quick, as-in Q-U-I-C-K to control the number of people on the platforms. Just before rush hour begins, they have people already stationed at the station entry points controlling the people. Then they also have people stations at the platform entry points, again to control the number of people, which acts like a buffer.

Now in the Blue Line, they do not have such practices. They will only closed down entry if and only the guard calls the station supervisor or the station supervisor noticed it on his/her monitor screen (which probably most of the time s/he isn’t watching). I’m not only talking about the Magalles station, it happens in Ayala and Shaw Boulevard stations too.

I salute the Yellow Line employees for being quick. Maybe the Blue Line management and their employees should train first under the Yellow Line team. They know how to minimize the worst-than-sardines-packed situations. They have the initiative to make sure that every one already in the platform area can board the train before allowing a new batch of passengers.

Closing words…

All these solutions should only be implemented during rush hour. It was meant to alleviate the worst-than-sardines-packed situation that many of us are experiencing. One or two can be combined for a more effective dispersal and faster movement of the passengers. (Or maybe even 3!)

The number of passengers will only grow, that we can all agree. But there is no need to wait for it to become so large it won’t be easy to manage before we take action. There is no need to wait for someone to get killed because of the pushing frenzy before we take action. Just like me, I am sure the other passengers have witnessed numerous times how individuals and even groups of people almost ended up crushing each other’s skulls.

Not to mention, the guards at the platform area can not do anything about people standing on the “yellow line” or the edge of the platform - there is just too much people! Don’t expect the guard to walk at the edge of the platform just so he can push them back lest he himself falls on the rails or something.

The time to implement these ideas, these solutions, is N-O-W. I’m sure you already have these ideas on your plate for a long time, time to dust it off and bring it back on the table.

Thank you very much for reading Mr. President Noynoy Aquino, Mr. Vice-President Jojo Binay, and the Blue Line team.

Image Sources:

• 1st photo: Filipina At Home (found via Google Image search)
• 2nd photo: BlogSpot/Blogger blog found via Google Image search
• 3rd photo: Habagat Central (found via Google Image search)

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