MRT-3: No Christmas season extended operating hours

MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is not extending its operating hours during the Christmas holiday season this year to give way to the replacement of rails and other rehabilitation initiatives.

The MRT-3 usually extends its operating hours during the busy Christmas season.

In a statement on Tuesday, the MRT-3 management said it will start the welding of 4,053 rail pieces at the rail welding area at Taft Avenue station this month.

It will also start connecting the 10 pieces of 18-meter long rails which will then be installed on the rail tracks.

“Maglalaan po muna tayo ng sapat na oras at panahon para sa rail replacement in the last three months of this year (We will allot ample time for the replacement of rails in the last three months of this year),”  MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael Capati said.

“Masyado na pong sira-sira at baku-bako ang ating mga riles kaya kinakailangan na po talaga itong mapalitan sa lalong madaling panahon (The rails are currently in bad condition, it is therefore crucial that such are replaced as soon as possible),” he added.

The replacement of rails will be done during non-revenue hours or from 11 p.m. until 4 a.m. daily.

Capati said the management aims to finish the rail replacement by February 2021.

He assured that once the rail replacement work is completed, it will help enhance MRT-3’s services and performance.

“Mas bibilis po ang takbo ng ating mga tren, mas magiging maikli po ang paghihintay ng ating mga pasahero, at madodoble din po natin ang ating passenger capacity (The trains will be faster, waiting time will be shortened, and passenger capacity will be doubled),” the MRT-3 official said.

Meantime, Capati appealed for the public’s understanding and support during the MRT-3’s rehabilitation.

“Pansamantalang sakripisyo lamang para sa pangmatagalang kaginhawaan. Hinihingi po namin ang inyong suporta, pagtitiwala, at pag-intindi habang ginagawa po namin ang lahat para maibalik sa dating high-grade infrastructure condition ang MRT-3 (This is only a temporary sacrifice in exchange for long-term convenience. We are asking for your support, trust, and understanding as we rehabilitate MRT-3),” he said. /gsg