The hazards of riding MRT-3

Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines—For the commuters of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3, patience is a virtue and safety is top concern.

The MRT train that crashed and got derailed at the end of the station on Taft Avenue in Pasay City on Wednesday afternoon. RICHARD REYES

The operations of the MRT 3, which runs the stretch of the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, have been in constant service disruption since early this year due to technical malfunctions.

The MRT 3 is one of three elevated railway systems serving as an alternative mode of transportation for commuters in Metro Manila.

But in recent months, it has drawn sharp criticisms from riders for the long queues at its stations during rush hour and for several operational glitches.

• On March 10, MRT operations were disrupted after one of its trains malfunctioned in Quezon City forcing other trains to halt their trips.  The disruption of the operations caused long queues of commuters.
• On March 22, a computer glitch triggered the MRT operations and temporarily paralyzed its service.

(Read: Computer glitch triggers MRT service disruption)

• Two days after, March 24, another computer glitch hits the train causing a more than an hour of disruption on all its trains.

(Read:  Computer glitch affects MRT3 )

• On March 26, at least 10 were hurt after an emergency braking system of  an MRT  train was activated before arriving at the Ayala Station in Makati City.

(Read: MRT train brake system goes haywire; 10 hurt)

• Earlier this Tuesday, April 15, operations of MRT stations was stalled anew due to broken railways.

(Read: MRT operations disrupted anew )

On Wednesday afternoon, a wayward Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT) train got derailed after overshooting the barrier at the Taft Avenue Station on Edsa in Pasay City.

As of posting time, over 30 people were injured and were brought to San Juan de Dios Hospital, Pasay City General Hospital and Manila Sanitarium.

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