When MRT breaks down, Palace dishes out the usual response
MANILA, Philippines – Following a disruption in the Metro Rail Transit’s (MRT’s) operations on Tuesday morning, Malacañang for the nth time assured the public that the government will do everything to ensure the safety of commuters.
This will include the repair or replacement of the train system’s rails and computer system, if needed, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma told media.
“Definitely the safety and welfare and convenience of the commuters is the primary concern of government (sic)… Kung kinakailangan ay tiyak namang gagawin ng pangasiwaan ng MRT 3 at ng DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communication) ang nararapat,” he added.
(Definitely, the safety and welfare and convenience of the commuters are the primary concerns of government…If it is needed then the administration of the MRT 3 and the DOTC will do what is appropriate.)
MRT operations were stalled on Tuesday morning after a broken rail was discovered. The passengers riding the stalled train had to walk towards the nearest station while operations were temporarily limited from Taft station to Shaw Boulevard station.
Last month, operations were also suspended because of a computer glitch.
“Tinututukan po ng ating kagawaran ng transportasyon at MRT 3 management yung pagbibigay ng ginhawa sa mga mamamayan na gumagamit dito…Kaya sa bawat araw na dumaraan ay sinisikap naman na mapahusay ang serbisyo at maibsan yung mahabang mga pila at sakripisyong sinasagawa ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
(Our transportation agency and the MRT 3 management are working intently to give relief to commuters riding the train…Every day that has passed was spent trying to improve the service and lessen the long lines and sacrifices of our citizens.)
The Secretary reminded that the MRT and Light Rail Transit would be closed from Thursday to Saturday “to give time for maintenance.”
He said the management of both train systems decided to time their maintenance run during the Holy Week because of the reduced demand in ridership on those days.
Coloma explained that the rails and the computer system are included in the MRT’s maintenance procedures.
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