Dizon: MRT wait time slashed to 5 minutes without sacrificing security

Commuters taking the MRT-3 line are spending significantly less time waiting in line following the Department of Transportation’s decision to remove X-ray machines from key stations, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said in a live interview on DAILY TRIBUNE’s Straight Talk.

Dizon explained that the move, piloted in the heavily congested Taft Avenue and North EDSA stations, has reduced queuing times from as long as 45 minutes, and historically up to an hour and a half, to just five to ten minutes.

"When I came in, I rode the MRT from Taft Station last March. It took me about 30-plus minutes to line up — sometimes they say it goes up to 45 minutes," Dizon said.

"You will be shocked. Our time-and-motion for the last month... it's down to five minutes... ten at most."

According to the transportation chief, the queues at MRT-3 stations have long been a source of daily frustration for Filipino commuters. The decision to remove the X-ray machines was prompted by his own experience of lining up with passengers and seeing firsthand the chokepoint these machines created during rush hour.

Dizon recalled trying to compare the situation with global mass transit systems, from Asia to Europe to the United States. In all his travels, he said, he could not recall a single subway or metro station where passengers had to undergo X-ray screening. That realization, he said, pushed him to rethink security protocols in a way that balances safety with efficiency.

Critics concerned about the security implications of this move were met with reassurances from Dizon, who underscored that safety remains a top priority, but one that does not need to come at the expense of convenience.

To ensure public safety in the absence of X-ray scanners, Dizon detailed the multi-layered security approach now being implemented.

He said more uniformed personnel, including heavily armed members of the Philippine Coast Guard, will now be stationed at key MRT-3 hubs. Nearly 200 officers are being deployed to increase visibility and deterrence, similar to what is practiced in major transport systems around the world.

The Department of Transportation has also partnered with the Coast Guard’s K-9 training facility in Clark, Pampanga, which houses around 700 trained dogs. These dogs are capable of detecting explosives, drugs, ammunition, and even locating people trapped in rubble. They will be deployed across MRT-3 stations to replace the role of the X-ray machines and provide mobile security screening.

According to Dizon, this allows for smoother passenger flow, especially since only large bags and boxes will now require closer inspection. Smaller bags such as handbags will pass through without delay, though metal detectors will remain in place.

In addition, Dizon said that with the help of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, high-tech, AI-enabled surveillance cameras are being integrated into the system to monitor suspicious activity and enhance real-time response capabilities.

The initial implementation of these changes has already shown measurable results, particularly in the pilot stations at Taft and North EDSA.

From previously waiting in line for up to 45 minutes — and in earlier years, even more than an hour — passengers are now able to enter and board trains in as little as five minutes. Dizon emphasized the magnitude of time saved for everyday commuters, describing it as “a huge help” to the public.