MRT-3 (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The management of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Thursday said it may not be able to implement 24-hour operations anytime soon due to the required nightly maintenance checks.
MRT-3 Director for Operations Oscar Bongon said extended hours of operations is not feasible for the rail system as all train sets are scheduled for maintenance activities after each last trip and before its first trip in the morning.
“Napaka-vital po nito kasi ito po ‘yung ating linya, dito po tumatakbo ‘yung mga tren natin. Ini- ensure natin na from the tracks to the signalling and then the power lahat po yan tsine-check natin para reliable ang ating operations at saka ‘yung safety nai-ensure natin na walang aberya sa revenue period,” Bongon said in a statement released by the Department of Transportation.
(We ensure that from the tracks to the signaling and then the power, we will check everything so that our operations are reliable and safe. We ensure that there are no malfunctions during the revenue period.)
Any delay in the time schedule would affect other portions of the rail system, said Bongon.
“Kailangan ma-ensure na nami-maintain kasi po pag hindi mami-maintain, slowly mag deteriorate ‘yung system,”Bongon explained.
(It is necessary to ensure that it is maintained because otherwise, the system will slowly deteriorate.)
Bongon said the night time maintenance of trains involves inspection, cleaning, trouble-shooting, washing, shunting or uncoupling, and other preventive activities.
Bongon also underscored the MRT-3 only has one line system — much different from other countries that have multiple lines running concurrently, which allows them to adjust during periods of low passenger demand, where they can temporarily shut down some lines while maintaining others in an alternating manner.
Bongon also said that the MRT-3 plans to expand its three-car trains to four-car trains to accommodate more passengers.