Two Week MRT-3 Express Train Trial Starts on May 7

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In the meantime that the Department of Transportation and Communications’ (DOTC) long-term solutions – mainly the addition of 48 train coaches and the automation of ticketing systems – are still on the way, Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3) management is exploring immediate measures to improve the rail system’s services.

After the successful testing of extended operating hours last February to March, an experimental run called the MRT-3 Express Train service will be conducted for two (2) weeks, from May 7 to 20.

“We hope that this trial run will yield positive results for passengers. Ideally, it will increase mobility – meaning it will get commuters from their origins to their destinations more quickly – as well as lessen waiting time at our most congested stations during peak hours,” said DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya.

Based on historical passenger volume data, most peak-hour weekday morning riders begin their trips at the North Avenue station. A substantial number also start from the Quezon Avenue, GMA-Kamuning, and Cubao stations. Most of these passengers alight at the Buendia, Ayala, Magallanes, and Taft Avenue stations.

LRT-MRT Ticketing Project Completely Aboveboard Says Abaya

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Reacting to initial reports that an Ombudsman case has been filed against him and other officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in relation to the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) Project, Secretary Joseph “Jun” Abaya vouches that laws and rules were properly followed in the project’s bidding process.

“We were sure to follow all bidding rules and processes very carefully. The process was completely aboveboard. This is why we are ready to face this complaint – as long as what you do is right, you have nothing to fear,” said Abaya.

“We have not received any official copy of the complaint yet. At this stage, we are only reacting to several news reports. We will review the complaint once we receive a copy, but we are not worried since we know that there was nothing irregular in the bidding out of the project,” he added.

According to initial reports, the complaint filed before the Ombudsman was made by a group called the National Coalition of Filipino Consumers or NCFC.

Brite Spokes Launches Experiential Travel with Exclusive Thematic Vacation Packages

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brite spokes by Kuoni (www.britespokes.com) is a new travel brand from an established tour wholesaler Kuoni that is now offering vacationers a variety of thematic trips, exclusive experiences and personally enriching adventures that were previously only available to independent travelers.

“We are excited and energized to launch brite spokes – a brand that will truly stand out in today’s evolving travel industry,” said Mark C. Morello, CEO, of brite spokes. “After a soft launch of the branded product in 2013, we’ve spent the past year developing itineraries that even the most seasoned travelers will find unique and packed with ‘remember forever’ experiences,” he continued.

brite spokes is seeking to capture the growing number of vacationers that over the past decade have repeatedly told researchers and pollsters that they are looking for experiential travel for their vacations.

"brite spokes experiential vacation packages have been created with current and developing travel trends in-mind as well as on-going feedback from our frontline researchers who test-run all of our itineraries to ensure seamless and exciting vacations," Morello added. “With a millennial mindset comes a travel brand focused around the kind of trips clients dream about and would plan if they had the time, as well as vacations other people actually want to hear about when travelers return home,” said Morello. “brite spokes representatives have great taste, incredible connections and stellar credentials ensuring their capability to effectively plan unique and spectacular travel experiences,” he added.