The Department of Transportation on Wednesday said it is set to soft launch the  ‘MRT-3 Trace’ web application on January 18, 2021 in a bid to  prevent the further transmission of COVID-19 and to ease the process of contact tracing. 

“MRT-3 Trace is a web application that will help us and the passengers avoid further transmission of the virus through direct contact between our commuters and personnel. It  will ease the process of contact tracing,  and thus, prevent long queues in stations,” MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael J. Capati said.

According to Capati, MRT-3 passengers will be given time to download the system and adapt to the new technology-based web application.

“Starting January 18, passengers may use the DOTr MRT-3 Trace. But to give time for our passengers to familiarize themselves with the new app, full implementation will be on February 2021,” he said. 

To register, passengers may log at trace.dotrmrt3.gov.ph and fill out the basic information such as full name, birth date, address, and contact number.

After registration, the app user should activate his/her smartphone location services. When at the MRT-3, passengers need to scan the unique quick response (QR) code located at designated areas in the station.

The user will present the verification message to the security personnel before entering the station. 

All information gathered will be transmitted to the MRT-3’s Data Center for security and easy tracing of individuals. The MRT-3 Trace is compliant with Republic Act 1017 or the Data Privacy Act.

The web application is contactless and only requires a one-time registration for passengers to avoid duplicate accounts. The MRT-3 Trace registration is free.

For passengers who do not have smartphones, they can opt to manually fill-out the health declaration forms provided by the security personnel upon entering the station. 

The MRT-3 Trace is a technology-based contact tracing web application developed by the MRT-3 Support Division personnel which aims to speed up the tedious manual contact tracing process and to avoid direct contact between the passengers and MRT-3 personnel.