MRT defects on the rise

MANILA, Philippines - Defects on the trains, equipment and facilities of the much-maligned Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 have increased in recent years.

During a Senate hearing on Monday, MRT 3 operations director Renato San Jose reported that the monthly average service interruptions increased from 1.83 train stoppages in 2008 to four in 2014.

The average loops or round trips of trains per month also decreased from 6,585 in 2011 to 6,338 in 2014.

In the same period, the monthly average defects on other equipment and facilities have also worsened: station computer system, 18 to 118; escalators, 97 to 204; and elevators, 82 to 342.

As of August 29, 11 of the 34 elevators and 10 of the 46 escalators in various MRT stations are not operational. All ticket issuing machines are also not functioning.

"Wala na po kahit isang gumagana. Lahat po sila ay sira na," San Jose said. "Wala na pong pwedeng bumili na pasahero doon po sa ating mga vending machine."

Even the air-conditioning units of the MRT 3 have been experiencing more defects, from 24 in 2012 to 336 in 2014.

A Senate public service transportation sub-committee is currently holding an investigation into the state of the MRT 3 in light of an accident last month when a train crashed into the barrier of the Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City, injuring more than 30 people.