MRT passengers inconvenienced anew due to predawn delay

Just days after starting an extended operations schedule, the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) suffered a delay Thursday, inconveniencing commuters who want to get to their destinations early.

 

The MRT blamed the delay on an issue with the equipment it uses to ensure the railroad tracks are cleared for operation, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.
 

Maintenance workers managed to fix the issue by 4:46 a.m., more than 15 minutes after MRT trains were to start plying their routes under the extended operating schedule.

 

Instead of starting operations at 4:30 a.m., the MRT trains started accommodating passengers at 5:15 a.m., the report said.

 

By then, lines at the MRT stations had grown long, while other commuters waiting for nearly an hour were forced to take other forms of public transportation such as buses.
 

On Monday, the MRT started implementing an extended operation due to ongoing work on road projects in Metro Manila.

 

But the first day of the extended operation was marred by pushing and shoving among passengers to get aboard the trains.

 

Last week, the Department of Transportation and Communications said it would extend the operating hours of MRT-3 starting Feb. 24.

 

It said the longer hours will be tested for one month to determine whether it will be viable in the long run.

 

Initially, the MRT's regular operating hours stretch between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

The MRT extends across Epifanio delos Santos Avenue from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

 

Under the extended hours, for the first two work weeks from February 24 to March 7, the MRT-3 will start operations at 4:30 a.m. from the North Avenue station and 5 a.m. from the Taft Avenue station.

 

From March 10 to 21, it will extend the evening runs up to 10:30 p.m. from the North Avenue station and 11 p.m. from the Taft Avenue station.

 

"After the four-week testing period, the MRT-3 Office will make its recommendation to the DOTC on whether the extended operating hours may be regularized, based on its impact on commuters, daily train maintenance requirements, and the additional cost of operation," the DOTC said. — ELR/KG, GMA News