BEFORE, MRT-3 was tagged as #MRTirik, because of the daily numerous unloading incidents, breakdowns, service interruptions, and hours of waiting time prior to boarding the train.
The rail was even compared to the movie, “Train to Busan,” as a derailment incident transpired in 2014 at the Taft Station, wherein 38 passengers were injured.
This was one of the severe problems the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MRT-3 Management were plagued in 2016.
To immediately resolve these, and provide the riding public with a much better rail service, the Department, under the visionary and strong-willed captaincy of Secretary Art Tugade, determinedly set right all the policies and decisions for the rail line, and prioritized its massive rehabilitation and improvement.
The original maintenance provider of the MRT-3–the Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy-TESP was restored —to lead the rehabilitation project for the entire rail line.
Now, we welcome the MOST-IMPROVED, MODERN, and TRAILBLAZING MRT-3.
With its massive rehabilitation finally completed in December 2021, major improvements and upgrades have been witnessed and more and more commuters are now experiencing a faster, more convenient, and comfortable MRT-3.
Now, the operating speed of the train has been raised to 60 kph, from the original 30 kph. The interval or headway between trains has been reduced to 3.5 minutes, from 9 minutes.
The MRT-3 was able to set record-breaking number of trains deployed in the rail history, as it fielded a total of 23 trains in the rail line—as compared to only 10-15 trains before.
Moreover, with the rehabilitation project, the MRT-3 can now accommodate up to 600,000 passengers daily, from the previous passenger capacity limit of only 300,000.
In addition to this, the MRT-3’s Control Command Center is now fully renovated, with the latest structural upgrades and technological enhancements. With this, all operations of the MRT-3, as well as the high-resolution CCTV feeds, are being monitored seamlessly and efficiently.
Apart from the seamless travel, commuters are also experiencing a hassle-free, and cooler train ride experience, with the successful installation of the air-conditioning units. Rail replacements works were likewise completed, and all elevators and escalators are fully operational.
This is how we reshape the MRT-3, reinstating its high-grade design condition, with an aim to give the Filipinos a more reliable, safe, and comfortable commuting experience.
