(SPOT.ph) With thousands of Metro Manila commuters relying on the MRT-3 every day, it's only necessary to keep the train system running as smoothly as possible. On March 19, the Department of Transportation announced the railway's one-week suspension of operations during Holy Week for its annual general maintenance shutdown from April 15 to 21.
The maintenance works to be done over the week include rail grinding, rail cascading, replacement of turnouts, structural testing, and other maintenance activities on the trains and their electrical system.
"We ask for the understanding and patience of our commuters as we take the necessary maintenance measures towards making MRT-3 more reliable and efficient, parallel with our comprehensive rehabilitation and overhaul of the entire system," the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Incidentally, the announcement comes after the MRT-3 was once again put under the spotlight due to a smoke incident on March 18: A train car had to offload passengers along the tracks between the Cubao and Santolan stations afer smoke reportedly started to come out from under the vehicle. The MRT-3, infamous for its frequent glitches and technical problems, is currently under rehabilitation.
this strange new world.