MRT stops operations due to technical problem

Operations of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) were temporarily suspended on Friday afternoon after one of its trains experienced a technical problem.

A northbound MRT 3 train stalled at Boni station in Mandaluyong City at 4:35 p.m., paralyzing the entire northbound operations of the train system.

MRT 3 command center said a technical problem hit one of its trains, causing thousands of passengers to be stranded.

Dismayed passengers alighted from the train and instead took other means of transportation on Edsa.

Others who chose to wait for the MRT to resume its operations had to endure extreme heat inside the trains.

Anthony Louie, one of the stranded passengers, said glitches in the MRT were not new to him.

“Araw-araw ako sumasakay dito. Sa isang linggo, siguro dalawang beses nasisiraan ito,” he said.

He said the MRT fare increase did not result in better services.

“Walang kwenta,” he said, adding that train services were continuously deteriorating.

Instead of improving or buying new trains, he said the MRT 3 management bought new ticketing system.

But he admitted he had no other options.

He chose to ride the train every day from North Avenue in Quezon City to Pasay City because it was cheaper and faster.

After a 25-minute suspension, train operations resumed at 4:55 p.m.