[draft] The Metro Rail Transit - Line 3 (MRT-3) cannot operate for 24 hours due to the vital maintenance conducted after the last trip at night, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Thursday.
In a statement posted on Friday, MRT-3 Director for Operations Engineer Oscar Bongon said any delay in the maintenance activities could result in the deterioration of the MRT-3 system.
"Napaka-vital po nito kasi ito po 'yung ating linya, dito po tumatakbo 'yung mga tren natin. Ini- ensure natin na from the tracks to the signalling and then the power lahat po yan tsine-check natin para reliable ang ating operations at saka 'yung safety nai-ensure natin na walang aberya sa revenue period," he said.
According to Bongon, maintenance activities include inspection, cleaning, troubleshooting, washing, shunting or uncoupling, and other preventive activities, among others.
He also said that MRT-3 could not implement 24 hours operations because it only has one line unlike other countries.
Bongon mentioned that Japan or European countries have multiple lines.
"So pwedeng during nighttime na konti ang passenger demand, papatayin niya ang ibang linya at imaintain 'yun at salitan 'yun, so they can operate 24 hours," he added.
The MRT-3 presently has 24 three-car train sets available for commuters.
Bongon bared that the railway management plans to operate with four-car trains to accommodate more volume of passengers soon.
"Kasama yan sa kontrata ng Sumitomo na 'pag natapos niya na 'yung expansion pwede na tayong mag four-car train bago po matapos ang 2025," the MRT-3 Director for Operations Engineer furthered.
As of August 16, the number of ridership in MRT-3 has reached 436,388. This is higher than the 422,000 ang daily average ridership recorded last week.
