Shorter operating hours for MRT 3 on holidays

The Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) management will be limiting its train operations during the holidays given the low number of passengers expected to use the country’s busiest train system.

On Dec. 24, the MRT 3 will start operations earlier than usual at the North Avenue station at 4:45 a.m. The last train for the day will leave Taft Avenue station at 8:26 p.m.

On Christmas Day, train operations will start at 6:30 a.m. and end at 9:50 p.m. On Dec. 30, Rizal Day, the first train will again leave North Avenue station at 4:45 a.m., with the last one leaving Taft Avenue at 9:50 p.m.

Operating hours for New Year’s Eve will be similar to that of Christmas Eve, while the schedule on New Year’s Day will follow the one implemented on Christmas Day.

The MRT 3 has shortened its operations by an hour, following repeated breakdowns and glitches plaguing the overhead train system running on Edsa. Instead of 5 a.m., it starts operating at 5:30 a.m. Operations also cease at 10:30 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.

During weekends and holidays, the MRT 3 usually deploys only around 12 trains since there are fewer passengers.