MRT-3 caps day with another glitch affecting 800 passengers

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) has suffered yet another disruption on Thursday evening, February 1, after a southbound train stopped due to a signaling error.

In a service report, the MRT management said the train halted at Quezon Avenue Station at 8:42 p.m. and offloaded about 800 commuters.

This is the second offloading incident to be recorded on the same day.

READ: Electrical failure downs MRT-3 train; offloads 1,000 passengers

MRT-3 media relations officer Aly Narvaez said the error may have been caused by defective or worn-out automatic train protection (ATP) signaling sub-components, which include the ATP sensor and the ATP board.

Narvaez said the defective train was immediately brought to the depot for preventive maintenance and replacement of signaling components.

The disembarked commuters were then loaded in the next train that arrived at the station eight minutes after the incident, she said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) repeatedly assured the public that it has started procuring the necessary spare parts to ensure that MRT-3 trains are in working order.

READ: Tugade: MRT-3 was ‘abused, raped’

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the newly-procured spare parts would arrive this month of February.

The seemingly persistent glitches, Tugade said, were due to the “failure” of the MRT-3’s previous maintenance contractor Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) to procure new spare parts.

Tugade said BURI “raped” and “abused” the MRT-3. /jpv