MRT-3 to hike train speed, shorten wait time starting Oct. 1

THE AVERAGE speed of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3’s (MRT-3) trains will increase to 40 kilometers per hour (kph) on Thursday from the previous 30 kph.  

In a message on Wednesday, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said the improved operating speed of the MRT-3 was made possible after the MRT-3 and maintenance provider Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries completed rail replacement works this September.

“The MRT-3 was able to complete its rail replacement works this month (September), several months ahead of its scheduled completion in February 2021,” Libiran said.

In a media bulletin, the MRT-3 management said the new operating speed will lessen the time between trains to 6.5 to 7 minutes from the previous 8.5 to 9 minutes and an operating speed of 30 kph.

It said that a total of 9,216 linear meters of long-welded rails were installed -- about 13.98 percent of the MRT-3’s mainline -- noting that the project was completed ahead of time due to accelerated rail replacement works during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ period.

As rehabilitation of the MRT-3 progresses, it said the operating speed of its trains will gradually increase to 60 km/h by December, which last occurred back in September 2013 due to degradation of the MRT’s tracks.

“The operating speed will gradually increase from 40kph in October to 50kph by November and 60kph by December 2020,” the MRT-3 said.

Michael Capati, MRT-3 director for operations, said there will be a gradual increase in speed to check the alignment of the MRT-3’s new tracks, its Overhead Catenary System, and signaling and communications equipment to ensure the safety of passengers.

“With the help of our rehabilitation and maintenance providers, Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, we assure the public that better performance and a brighter future may be expected from the MRT-3,” Capati said.

Earlier, the MRT-3 announced that it broke the previous record of the maximum number of fielded trains along its mainline -- now 22 from 20 back in 2016.

It said better maintenance of its existing light rail vehicles and the completed testing of three Dalian trains allowed for more operational trains at the same time. (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)