Senator seeks probe into ‘defective’ MRT-3 coaches

A Senator on Wednesday sought for a probe into the alleged defective new coaches of the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) following reports that they were not working. (Photo: MRT-3 Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—A Senator on Wednesday sought for a probe into the alleged defective new coaches of the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) following reports that they were not working.

Sen. Nancy Binay filed Senate Resolution 304 urging the Senate to look into the new coaches in order to improve the MRT’s provision of safe and efficient public transport.

Reports said the new MRT coaches are not working while 12 of them had cracks.

The new coaches are part of the 48 new coaches bought from the Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corp. for PHP3.8 billion in 2013 by the then Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

Meanwhile, the delivery of the new coaches started in January 2016, three months after its October 2015 schedule.

Binay also decried the reported delays in the existing MRT service due to new mechanical breakdowns.

She said that breakdowns in the MRT service have an impact on the country’s economy.

“The lost time of our employees because of these MRT breakdowns make companies less productive,” Binay said.

“We need to make sure that our passengers are safe and the operation of the MRT is efficient because there are many who ride them daily,” she added.