Busan Universal Rail Inc., the maintenance provider of Metro Rail Transit Line 3, said Tuesday it will deploy 22 trains within the month to lessen the congestion at the overhead train system in Quezon City.
“Based on our latest projection, we intend to put into maximum operations within the month, 65 to 66 cars or 22 trains which could assure 20 operational trains on peak hours,” Busan Rail spokesman and legal counsel Charles Perfecto Mercado said.
MRT system now run up to 18 trains on peak hours, close to the system’s maximum capacity of 20 trains. Each train consists of three cars. Additional trains are also in reserve, while four cars are now undergoing major restoration and overhaul.
“As per our contract, we are scheduled to do major overhaul and restoration of 43 cars. So far we are about to finish at least 4 cars and these [works] are being implemented simultaneously with the restoration of other cars,” Mercado said.
He said the repair process was restricted largely by the limited staging areas where works could be done as the MRT depot has only two tracks. “This is part of the challenge but we’re able to maximize our works given the situation and limited spaces,” he said.