Replacement for damaged MRT-3 tracks ongoing, says exec

The Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) shall implement the new distance-base fare scheme effective January 4, 2015 as displayed on Saturday (January 3, 2015) at the MRT station in Pasay City. (PNA photo by Gil S. Calinga)

MANILA  — Replacement for the damaged tracks of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) finally kicked off Tuesday midnight, a transport official said.

MRT-3 rehabilitation projects consultant Atty. Hernando Cabrera confirmed this by posting a photo of the replacement work being done on the tracks on Twitter.

“Sectional rail replacement (pre-welding) activity between Taft (and) Magallanes Stations, MRT-3, 1:10 am, Feb 24 (Tuesday),” his caption on the photo read.

Cabrera said that the same track replacement will be done everyday during a three-hour window time until all 6,000 meters of damaged railway track will be replaced.

To recall, MRT-3 general manager Roman Buenafe earlier made a proposal to shorten MRT-3 operation hours on weekends to allow management to allow enough time for replacement of damaged railway tracks.

This scheme was first carried out last weekend.

The MRT-3 regularly operates from 4:30 a.m. to 11 pm daily but Buenafe’s proposal had operations close from 9:00 p.m. Saturday and open Sunday noon.

Management has yet to give a timetable on when total replacement of tracks will be finished but assured that government was doing its best to make the travel more convenient for its passengers.

Additional hand straps are also going to be added as a precautionary measure to provide passengers with support in case MRT- coaches make sudden stops.