^ But that is exactly the point. I was under the impression LRT2 is underperforming. If you capture the Divisoria crowd, then ridership, hence revenue, will boost like crazy. The LRT2 trains are big enough that they can easily accomodate people with lots of bags. Also, Divisoria is a major destination not just for the "usual" crowd but for tourists as well who want to experience a one of a kind Philippine market experience. All the better if extended Eastward. So people from Cainta (if that is where the extension is going) can hop on a train to go get bargains at Divisoria. I think its an excellent idea that must be pursued. And its not that far and its sad the only thing that would prevent it is security concerns...

Man! If I had a few billion dollars lying around, I'd buy all three LRT/MRT Lines and do the expansion myself where it makes sense such as the example I mentioned above, as well as connecting LRT1 and MRT3 physically. I suppose the movie, Batman Begins, is kinda inspiring since in the movie, Batman's dad built Gotham City's rapid transit system with his own money... ;)

I'm not going to go in circles with this issue, because i want them built pronto. I think the point of the mass transit is to provide transit for EVERYONE. So MRT 3 was only meant for white collars? what an assumption to think that the pasosyal people of this country would use mass transit.

I also want to remind you that half the taxes you pay every year really doesn't even go projects you like, they go to finance the projects of politicians and put their damn kids to school or support family abroad. The fact of life in this country my friend is before we start arguing about which projects our tax money pays for, we need to make sure they don't get pocketed first. For example, there is an overpass bridge here at commonwealth that has been underconstruction for two years, A FREAKIN OVERPASS, each time they get the budget for it, they finish a little more of it, then they stop cause the money magically disappears. abra kadabra, poof, gone with the wind is the budget.
I wish more pinoys would think like this. Demand action and results fr the politicians. You can tell the difference between US bred pinoy though, fr local bred pinoy. Local pinoys usually are either extremes, either too complacent bahala na diyos mentality or the ones who rally everyday .

^ n yap there mouth and no action

1. I am not against building MRT systems
2. I am against paying through the nose for MRT systems that have fuzzy ridership studies and are banking heavily on government subsidy
3. I find riding the MRT 3 a great convenience.
4. Maybe we should concentrate on improving the management, operations & maintenace of our current LRT/MRT system before we go on building new ones. We have yet to learn from our past experiences of these lines. The structure of the management of these systems are just plain whacked.

I can't explain why LRT 1 and 2 are run by LRTA while MRT 3 is run by MRTC but overseen by DOTC.

And to recap my points:

1. I firmly believe that the rail systems should be prioritized. Each new line adds to the viability of the entire system, and each new line spurs growth.
2. The cost to build such a line will only escalate with time. And the more this project is delayed, the more expensive it is going to get (similar to the MRT-3)
3. The provinces already have their own infrastructure developments. More than half of these developments are only on paper, and until we do something about the DPWH, I don't think throwing more cash at the problem is going to solve anything.
4. The LRTA is actually pretty efficient. Already, they are trying to consolidate the ticketing system. Everything is being sorted out as we speak

We are going to agree on very few points. You can't change my mind, and I can't change yours. Why don't we leave it at that?

just took a shot the Shaw station of MRT..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/DSC06087.jpg

^^ Hey, looks like that side (the south side) of Shaw station is renovated to the rendering shown earlier...but the other side, the north side is still the dull design. Are they going to renovate it too?

Answer in a new thread. This one has to be locked.:)