The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is exploring ways to enhance security while improving commuter experience in MRT-3 stations by potentially removing X-ray baggage inspections — a move aimed at decongesting long lines and streamlining station entry.
In an interview with DZBB on Monday, 21 April, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency, in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), is studying the possibility of replacing X-ray scanners with modern surveillance technologies.
“Our President has instructed us to make commuting safe and convenient, especially now that many of our fellow Filipinos are returning from Holy Week holidays,” said Dizon.
“We’re here now at Santolan Station with DICT Secretary [Ivan] John Uy. Earlier this morning, we were also at Trinoma Station — usually the area with the heaviest lines — and we were happy to see that the adjustments we made allowed commuters to get inside the station within a few minutes.”
To speed up entry, the DOTr implemented changes in the x-ray screening process by separating passengers with no bags or only small bags from those carrying larger items.
“In every station, we’ve separated passengers who don’t need to go through X-ray — those without bags or with small ones. This change has made the queue move much faster,” Dizon explained.
Now, the DOTr and DICT are looking to implement security cameras in all stations to potentially eliminate X-ray checks altogether.
“We’re studying technologies that can allow us to eliminate X-ray machines,” Dizon said. “If you look at metro stations in other countries, they don’t have X-rays, but their stations remain secure.”
Aside from installing advanced surveillance systems, the DOTr also plans to boost the presence of security personnel in stations to ensure safety without slowing down passenger flow.
“We will increase the visibility of security forces. If we can successfully implement these measures, we can finally remove the X-ray machines, which are the main cause of delays at station entrances,” he added.
Dizon also assured the public that all escalators and elevators across MRT-3 stations are fully operational, contributing to smoother and more accessible commuting.
“Hopefully, with the help of the DICT, we can roll out more security measures in the stations so that we can completely phase out the X-ray machines, which really are the root cause of long queues,” he emphasized.