DOTr Stresses Importance of MRT-3 Safety Inspection, Says Interagency Efforts to Minimize Effect to Passengers in Place

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation today stressed the importance of conducting safety inspection in all MRT-3 trains, which resulted to the temporary decrease in speed and the number of trains running during peak hours.

According to DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar B. Chavez, the instructions given to him by Secretary Arthur Tugade to prioritize safety of the riding public was very clear.

“Malinaw po ang utos sa atin ni Secretary Tugade. Hindi na baleng paulanan kami ng mura kaysa tahimik ang tao dahil nasa ospital sila o sementeryo. Parte po ito ng proseso upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mananakay kaya kahit paulanan niyo kami ng puna, ito ay kailangan naming gawin,” Usec Chavez explains.

Currently, the MRT3 maintenance team is working double time to ensure the fast completion of the safety inspection in order to deploy additional trains so as to minimize the impact of speed reduction. As of this morning, there are already 17 trains in operation as compared to yesterday’s reported 15.

To assist passengers, DOTr has sought the help of MMDA and LTFRB to prepare the deployment of additional buses in all MRT3 stations.

LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said that additional city buses were deployed to give MRT-3 passengers an alternative mode of transportation.

On the other hand, MRT-3 Director for Operations Deo Leo Manalo clarified that the previously announced 4-day safety inspection is just an estimate. He reassured passengers that the MRT3 maintenance team is focused in completing the safety inspection at the soonest possible time for the rail line to be able to deploy additional trains.

“We will do everything to complete it earlier,” Dir. Manalo said.

It may be recalled that yesterday afternoon, the MRT 3 management has mandated a thorough inspection of wheel axles of all its trains following an incident yesterday when the train driver of Car 64 observed an abnormal noise and strong lateral movements on the train. When ignored the conditions could possibly lead to more serious problems.