MRT-3 GM removed over slow response to escalator malfunction —DOTr

Metro Rail Transit-3 general manager Oscar Bongon was removed from his post due to slow response to the recent malfunction of an escalator, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Wednesday. 

Dizon said the escalator accident happened on Saturday morning but he learned about it only through a viral video on Monday evening. 

“Noong tinawagan ko po 'yung management noong Tuesday ng madaling araw, hindi pa po gawa ang escalator,” he told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(When I called the management on Tuesday morning, the escalator was not yet fixed.)

“Ang rason na binigay sa amin ay kailangan pa pong i-analyze 'yung naging problema, doon po ako medyo hindi natuwa,” he added. 

(The reason given to us was that they still need to analyze the problem, so I was a little unhappy about that.)

Dizon said he ordered the immediate repair of the escalator and the process only took less than 10 hours. 

On March 11, at least 10 passengers of MRT-3 were injured after the ascending escalator at Taft Avenue Station malfunctioned.

The escalator was packed with passengers when the primary chain of the escalator broke off, causing some people to fall on top of each other and a female passenger hurt her ankle.

Bongon apologized to the affected passengers and ensured they would pay for the medical expenses of those who were wounded.

On Tuesday, the DOTr announced the removal of Bongon as MRT-3 general manager.

Dizon refused to reveal Bongon’s replacement as Malacañang is still processing the paperworks but he said the next MRT-3 general manager had an experience with the department. 

Longer evening operations 

Meanwhile, Dizon said the extended evening operations and additional trains during peak hours in MRT-3 are expected to start next week. 

“Mukhang by next week po, mapapatupad na ang pagpapahaba ng operating hours sa gabi ng isang oras at sana kahit isang tren makapagdagdag na tayo sa susunod na linggo,” he said. 

(Maybe by next week, the operating hours at night will be extended by one hour and hopefully we can add at least one train next week.)

Dizon said the official announcement on the exact date for these adjustments will be released on Monday. —Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News