MRT sets shorter hours

MANILA, Philippines - The constant operational glitches hounding the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) have prompted officials to shorten its operating hours. 

MRT general manager Roman Buenafe said Friday that the rail line will close early on Saturdays and open late on Sundays to give its workers time to replace six kilometers of railroad tracks, which he described as “not in normal” condition.

The MRT will close at 9 p.m. on Saturdays, two hours earlier than the regular schedule. On Sundays, it will open at noon, or six hours and 30 minutes later than its usual opening time of 4:30 a.m.

Buenafe, however, cannot say when the shortened hours will start since they are still waiting for welding kits they ordered. The kits were supposed to arrive last Friday.

He asked commuters for understanding, but assured them that the trains will run at the normal speed of 65 kilometers per hour once the repairs are done.