Government working to improve MRT, LRT services — Palace

MRT passengers desperate to catch a ride. (Photo courtesy of PhotoBucket user)

MANILA — The government is paying close attention to the problems of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) to ensure the best service to commuters, a Malacanang official said on Wednesday.

“That is the reason why talagang inaasikaso ngayon ito. ‘Yung maintenance pinag-aaralan. Matatapos na yata ‘yung maintenance ng bagong maintenance provider,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing in the Palace.

“Matatapos na ang kontrata ‘nung maintenance provider. So these are concerns of the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) and LRT.”

Lacierda also said that LRT administrator and MRT3 officer-in-charge Honorito Chaneco explained the current situation of the MRT and LRT during a hearing at the House of Representatives.

An LRT train stalled at the Pedro Gil Station in Manila on Wednesday (August 27) morning while the MRT-3 had to suspend operations at noon on Saturday (August 23) following a communications system breakdown.

Two weeks ago, a defective MRT train crashed into a barrier at the Taft Avenue Station, injuring more than 30 passengers.