‘Full’ rehab of MRT-3 ‘ahead of time’, likely finished by July 2021 – official

MANILA, Philippines — The total rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is “ahead of time” and may be completed by July 2021, an official said Thursday.

According to MRT-3 Director Michael Capati, “Advanced po ‘yung mga projections na nache-check namin. ‘Yung mga delivery ng mga spare parts are coming in ahead of time.”

“Ang target natin d’yan ay 26 months. Now, we’re down to 22 months. By July 2021, assured tayo na lahat ng components and system ng MRT-3 ay fully rehabilitated na,” he added.

Capati cited the rehabilitation of train tracks as among the works that are ahead of schedule. He said the train tracks were originally due for repair by the first quarter of 2020 but it will already start by November this year.

Once all components and systems are rehabilitated, Capati said the speed limit of the train will improve,  waiting time between the arrival of trains will be shortened, and overall train line will be able to accommodate more passengers.

“‘Yung 30 kilometers per hour (kph) na tinatakbo ay kaya tumakbo ng 60 kph. ‘Yung headway ng seven minutes ay kaya namin babaan ng 3 1/2 minutes,” he said.

“We are preparing 300,000 na average na ridership, pwede natin i-akyat hanggang 600,000. Ang availability ng tren from 15 trains to 20,” he added.

The MRT-3 official then appealed to passengers to have a little more patience with the rehabilitation of the train line.

“Hindi kasi 24 hours kaya nating i-rehab ‘yung buong sistema ng MRT-3. Medyo talagang may oras at may proseso. Hindi sya kayang gawin ng ilang buwan lang,” Capati said.

Japanese service providers Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries started working on the MRT-3 rehabilitation last May. /kga