MRT eyes shorter rail replacement window

MANILA - Metro Rail Transit General Manager Ramon Buenafe is mulling shortening the rail replacement window that they require every weekend.

Last Saturday, MRT operations were terminated early and Sunday operations opened late at noon to give way to rail replacement activities on the line's northbound portion from Taft Avenue to Magallanes.

According to Buenafe, they were able to replace 150 out of 6,000 meters of rail in 10 hours instead of 15 hours.

He said they are now considering reopening the MRT at 8am Sunday.

An estimated 21,000 passengers take the MRT every Saturday and around 60,000 every Sunday.

Replacement rails were taken from the stabilizing tracks currently being used at the MRT depot, as the MRT management awaits the arrival of the new ones they ordered in June.

Buenafe said the 6,000 meters of rail that they are currently trying to replace has been identified as the most critical portions along the entire 17-kilometer stretch of the MRT-3 line, but he plans to replace all the rails to address efficiency and safety issues.

Replacing the rails will already resolve 40%-50% of the MRT's problems, he said.

Other systems that need to be rehabilitated include the signalling system and the number of coaches. Facilities currently being upgraded also include the toilets, elevators and the escalators in each terminal.

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MRT eyes shorter rail replacement window