MANILA, Philippines - The management of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) is now preparing plans on how to handle the expected surge in train passengers once the rehabilitation of EDSA begins in May.

Currently, an estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million people travel along EDSA everyday. The MRT 3 accommodates up to 40% of that volume or around 520,000 on the average daily.

MRT 3 General Manager Al VItangcol said the expected surge in passengers will definitely cause longer waiting time at the stations.

They are looking at changes in operations to minimize the inconvenience to passengers. For instance, waiting areas with canopies will be installed, and more ticketing clerks added.

Another possibility is selling tickets through merchants, such as convenience stores, to lessen the queues at the stations.

They will also devise a passenger monitoring system at each station where some trains will skip stations in order to accommodate the bigger bulk of passengers in another station at a given time.

Vitangcol admitted though that the best solution remains the procurement of additional trains.  However, procurement takes some time. They expect it to take 2 years before new trains are delivered, which will coincide with the expected completion of the EDSA rehab.

Meanwhile, Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos believes that even commercial establishments should make a sacrifice

Mandaluyong is in the center of EDSA, with around 6 malls located along the highway. Abalos said they will talk to mall owners to come up with a schedule for sales,

Mandaluyong City Hall is also devising a new work schedule for its employees, as well as a rerouting scheme.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said in a text message they have yet to submit a rerouting scheme to the MMDA because they are still waiting for the proposals from local government units such as Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig and Pasay.