Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — Commuters should expect longer queuing times at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).
Starting June 14, the train system’s management will lessen the number of operational trains from 20 to 15, because of scheduled system checks in the next four days.
“We’re expecting the queue will be longer by about 30 percent,” MRT Director for Operations Deo Manalo said in an announcement Wednesday.
The MRT’s running speed is also down from 40 kph to 20 kph.
According to MRT officials, the trip from North Avenue to Taft Avenue usually takes 35 minutes. With the system checks, a trip may now take around 50 minutes.
On June 13, a train driver reported a strange sound and strong swaying of one of the bogies, or the structure under a coach where axles and wheels are attached. Upon inspection, MRT personnel found out one of the axles was broken.
Management says this is the first time this has happened.
“If there’s a broken axle, thats a unique incident. The axle should be designed in such a way na hindi dapat siya mabali [it shouldn’t break],” Manalo said.
The management hopes operations will be back to normal by Sunday, or Monday the latest.
“Talaga pong napapanahon na para i-overhaul ‘yung mga train, and also ‘yung tracks natin kelangan talagang ayusin, palitan so itong dalawang bagay na ito nagko-contribute doon sa mga service interruptions,” Manalo added.
[Translation:It’s time to overhaul our trains, and also our tracks need to be fixed and replaced. These two things contribute to the service interruptions.]
The MRT management said commuters could take advantage of the free wifi along EDSA to get some work done while in transit.
Free Wi-Fi is now available in all stations of the MRT-3 as part of the Duterte administration’s promise to swiftly improve internet access for Filipinos.
