Rail firms ordered to fix accessibility

The guidelines will also be integrated into major upcoming projects, including the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway Project, with accessibility built in from the outset. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will roll out the Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) Guidelines across all railway operations and maintenance providers nationwide to improve day-to-day travel for commuters—particularly persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant passengers.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DOTr said the policy requires railway operators to make stations, trains, and services more accessible and easier to navigate, as the government pushes for a more inclusive and commuter-friendly rail system.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the adoption of the ATP Guidelines is needed to make rail travel safer, more reliable, and more responsive to the needs of all passengers.

“We were told that we must ensure daily travel is easier and that railways are welcoming to all commuters.

Our fellow Filipinos—especially persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women—can expect faster and more comfortable journeys,” Lopez said.

Under Department Order No. 2025-024, railway operators are required to introduce measures that directly affect commuter experience, including staff training on disability awareness and gender sensitivity, wheelchair boarding assistance, and designated help points within stations.

Operators must also improve the way information is delivered to passengers by providing clearer audio and visual announcements, while establishing clear feedback channels and conducting regular accessibility audits.

For existing railway lines, improvements will be implemented gradually.

Each operator is required to submit transition and compliance plans to ensure accessibility upgrades are rolled out over the coming years, minimizing disruption to daily commuters.

The ATP Guidelines formally set standards for accessibility across the rail network for the first time, guiding operators in making services more responsive to the diverse needs of passengers.

The guidelines will also be integrated into major upcoming projects, including the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway Project, with accessibility built in from the outset.