A fresh graduate engineer’s idea that could change how Filipinos experience the train

• IN PHOTO: A prototype Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) undergoes testing at LRT-1 train station. (Photo courtesy of Clyde Sanmig Corpuz)

By San Matildo

For many passengers, navigating Metro Manila’s rail system can feel uncertain—missed announcements, unclear screens, and confusion about stops and transfers often add stress to an already crowded commute.

For Clyde Sanmig Corpuz, a fresh graduate engineer, those long-standing gaps in passenger information became the starting point of a personal project aimed at improving how riders experience the train.

In his free time, Corpuz developed a handheld prototype of a GPS-based Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) designed for use on LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3.

The device tracks the train’s real-time movement—detecting its location, departure, approach, and arrival—and translates that data into clear, commuter-focused information.

Passengers can see the current station, the next stop, which side the doors will open, available transfers to other rail lines, and the train’s direction.

The idea was inspired by rail systems in countries such as Japan and South Korea, where onboard passenger information displays are standard and consistently designed.

Corpuz observed how unified signage and well-placed information help reduce confusion and make navigating entire metro networks easier, particularly for first-time riders.

While similar display systems exist locally, Corpuz noted that many onboard screens prioritize advertising over essential travel information.

“While there have been similar implementations before in our trains, including the TUBE or PARDS screens, I found them lacking in information and execution (with more space being allocated for advertisements). I hope this project of mine can inspire other people and push relevant institutions to work for more accessible transit here in the Philippines,” said Corpuz on a social media post.

As a result, passengers are often left without timely or complete guidance during their journeys.

His prototype reimagines how information could be delivered—placing clarity, accessibility, and usefulness at the center of the design.

More than a technical exercise, the project reflects how fresh graduate engineers can contribute practical solutions to everyday urban challenges.