The Department of Transportation said it is studying a proposal to extend the operations of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 for two more hours.
“We will study the proposal given the changes in the current MRT-3 ridership profile as compared to when the extended hours were tested in the past. Also, the proposed extension of revenue hours will require additional working hours for train personnel and additional electricity costs,” the agency said.
MRT 3 operates from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
“Please note that while we echo our pledge of providing a quality, fast and reliable service to our commuters, we also need to consider that our two-decade old trains need to have sufficient time for preventive maintenance works. In fact, it will soon undergo extensive rehabilitation and maintenance to be conducted by Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,” the agency said.
The agency said preventive maintenance works were being performed regularly, during non-operating hours, to avert breakdowns.
It said that during these preventive maintenance works, trains and tracks were ensured to be in satisfactory operating condition through systematic inspection, detection and correction of incipient failures either before they occur or develop into major defects.
“We wish to stress that a regular and efficient preventive maintenance works help ensure smooth train operations, as well as prevention of unloading incidents, and service interruptions,” the DOTr said.
“Moreover, these efforts can help assure passengers of a safe, reliable, and comfortable travel, while putting at topmost priority the safety and security of our passengers,” the agency said.
MRT 3, which runs along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serves more than 500,000 passengers a day, beyond its rated capacity of 350,000.
The line has a fleet of 73 Czech-made air-conditioned rail cars.
