To improve safety and security in its trains, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) began employing “train marshals” to keep the peace within the trains of the rail service.

In a statement on Thursday, the MRT-3 said a total of 30 marshals were employed since the beginning of March, with each train in service carrying at least one marshal.

“Sa kasalukuyan, may kabuuang 30 train marshals ang nagbabantay araw-araw sa mga tren na bumabiyahe, mula sa unang hanggang sa huling deployment ng revenue train (Currently, there are a total of 30 train marshals in charge of securing our trains every day, from the first until the last train in service),” the MRT-3 said.

It said the responsibilities of train marshals include keeping an eye on the safety of passengers, reminding patrons of the rail service of its policies, ensuring that only qualified passengers get inside the priority areas of trains, and to help passengers in any way necessary.

“Kapag nagkaroon ng aberya sa operasyon, tungkulin din ng mga train marshal na ipaalam ito sa mga pasahero. Sila ang magsisilbing first responder kapag nagkaroon ng emergency sa loob ng tren (If any untoward incident occurs during operation, it is also the responsibility of train marshals to inform passengers. They will also serve as first responders for any emergencies inside the trains),” the MRT-3 said.

It also encouraged its passengers to reach out to its train marshals for any concerns or questions about the MRT-3.

In a message, MRT-3 director for operations Michael Capati said this is the first time the MRT-3 employed train marshals to augment security in the rail service.

He added that train marshals are now part of the regular operations of the rail service.

Meanwhile, the MRT-3 announced on Wednesday that 45 out of its 46 escalators were fully operational following successful repair works of the escalator at its Shaw Boulevard (northbound) Station.

Other recent upgrades and repairs the rail service went through, such as the replacement of rails and upgrade of communications equipment, were part of the comprehensive rehabilitation of the MRT-3 by the Department of Transportation. (PNA)