Palace apologizes for MRT ‘inconvenience’

Malacañang on Wednesday apologized to the public after the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 ran on limited operation and forced passengers to walk along the rails in separate incidents.

READ: LOOK: Commuters walk on Guadalupe bridge as MRT breaks down

“We certainly apologize for the inconvenience to the riding public but we are making sure that all these concerns are being addressed right now and the number one concern of DOTC is still the safety of the riding public,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told Palace reporters.

During the first day of classes, the MRT only had seven trains running because of repairs.

READ: MRT deploys only 7 trains on first day of school

On Wednesday morning, operations were limited to trips between North Avenue and Shaw Boulevard stations because of “rail problems.

READ: MRT cuts short Wednesday morning trips

Lacierda said the Department of Transportation and Communications had just awarded maintenance contracts.

READ: DOTC awards MRT-3 deals to 4 new maintenance providers

“The new contractors will start on July 5. The three other remaining coaches are still being procured,” he said.

“It’s still on schedule,” Lacierda said, referring to the maintenance and procurement of facilities.