MRT-3 now runs at 60 kph speed
MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is now at 60 kilometers per hour (kph), cutting travel time from North Avenue station to Taft Avenue from an hour and 15 minutes to 50 minutes.
The MRT-3 management said on Tuesday that the improvement of train speed is due to rail replacement works that were finished in September 2020, several months ahead of its scheduled completion in February 2021.
With this development, the average waiting time for passengers is now 3.5 to 4 minutes from the previous 8 to 9.5 minutes.
“The increase in train speed will provide our passengers a safer, faster and more reliable public transportation,” MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael Capati said in a statement.
The rail line has been gradually increasing its train operating speed since it embarked on said massive rehabilitation project, from 30kph to 40kph in October, and 50kph in November 2020.
The last time the MRT-3 was able to run at 60 kph was in September 2013. — Miggy Dumlao, Trainee
