MANILA, Philippines — Train services can and will be extended on Monday to help mitigate the effects of the ongoing transport strike, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
In a statement on Monday, Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said the Philippine National Railways (PNR), the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3), and the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and 2) are ready to extend operations, if the need arises.
Chavez said the PNR will be adding 14 trips on Monday to extend its operations amid the strike.
“The PNR now has 14 train sets from seven in August 2022. With the transport strike it will extend its operation by adding 14 trips today, March 6, making the total trips to 60 from 46,” Chavez said, citing a report from the PNR management.
The PNR will also add one trip, extending the departure of its last trip from 7:46 pm to 8:46 pm, Chavez added.
The MRT-3 on the other hand will be ready to extend its operation for the last trip from North Avenue Station to 10:00 p.m. from the current 9:30 p.m. and from Taft Avenue Station to 10:41 p.m. from 10:11 p.m., if necessary.
Meanwhile, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LMRC), which operates LRT-1, assured the DOTr that it is ready to “ensure service and manpower availability for LRT-1,” the DOTr said, citing LRMC spokesperson Jacqueline Gorospe.
LRT-2 is also ready to move its last trip until 10 p.m. from the regular 9:30 p.m., the DOTr said.
The weeklong transport strike by various transport groups started on Monday, March 6 to protest the impending phase out of traditional jeepneys. (Mae Anne F. Bilolo, INQUIRER.net intern)