While transport authorities are revisiting the rules and crafting better guidelines regarding the standing ban, they lifted the total ban on liquids in the meantime. This liquid ban on the MRT and LRT lines was applied in January 2019 by transport authorities as part of heightened security measures. It was put into effect following a series of bombing incidents in Southern Philippines.

As expected, the liquid ban was criticized by the riding public of Metro Manila. Many thought the ban to be quite unreasonable, while critics said that prohibiting liquids aboard the trains defeated the purpose of a convenient commute. Thus, rules had to be reviewed and realigned.

However, to keep their unique riders safe, the different rail transit lines have taken to applying their individual sets of rules to adjust. For instance, MRT 3, which runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, is allowing 100ml liquids aboard the train. These, however, are subject to personal trial in front of the inspecting officer. This means that you’ll have to sip on the water, spritz on your alco, slather on lotion...get the drift? On the other hand, the LRT 2 line, which runs from Santolan in Marikina to Recto in Manila, has lifted the liquid ban, awaiting the updated guidelines. And, keeping to the total ban is LRT 1, which runs from Baclaran in Pasay to Monumento in Quezon City.

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This new set-up of different rules per train line gets extra-complicated, especially if you’re hopping from one track to the next. Don’t get us wrong; we’re all for sticking to the rules for our own safety. Hopefully, they’ll standardize the guidelines soon enough though. Don’t worry; we’ll keep you posted on the liquid sitch as soon as we hear any other updates. Do let us know if other rules are being tested during any of your rides.

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