MRT-3, PNR suffer breakdowns

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of passengers returning to work and school from the provinces following the Undas break were stranded yesterday after rail lines around Metro Manila suffered glitches.

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) stopped operations for nearly two hours after its signaling system encountered technical problems along the Shaw Boulevard station at past 5 a.m.

In an advisory, the MRT-3 management said trips were halted due to “abnormal signaling indication encountered along Shaw Boulevard station.”

“All trains were stopped as a precautionary measure as technicians troubleshoot the issue,” it said.

Trips resumed at around 6:58 a.m. after the problem was fixed.

Posts on social media platforms Facebook and Twitter showed the long lines of passengers waiting to ride the MRT-3. The lines extended to the EDSA bus carousel below the elevated railway.

A total of 3,615 passengers were stranded during the morning rush hour yesterday, based on the MRT-3 fare collection system.

They slammed the MRT-3 management for its late announcement.

Oscar Bongon, MRT-3 operations director, admitted that they failed to advise passengers at an earlier time.

“Nagkulang kami in terms of updates because we were closely coordinating with the technicians,” Bongon told reporters.

To address the buildup of passengers due to the suspension of MRT-3 trips, he said the management deployed more train sets.

Bongon apologized for the late advisory.

Just one hour after the MRT-3 glitch, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) announced delays in its regular trips due to a derailment incident near the Magsaysay crossing in Sta. Mesa, Manila at around 6:52 a.m.

The PNR said the incident affected all trips from Tutuban to Alabang, Bicutan and Biñan.

The rail line resumed regular trips at around 8:25 a.m., according to PNR operations manager Joseline Geronimo.

The PNR explained that the ground holding the rail track softened as a result of the heavy rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, weakening the foundation that allows the trains to travel its revenue line.

“The management immediately conducted a re-railment operation by placing ballast on the affected rails. We managed to restore normal operations after the re-railment and the testing,” the PNR said.

Geronimo said six trips were delayed by the derailment: four headed to Alabang, Bicutan and Biñan and two bound for Tutuban.

More than 500 passengers, mostly employees returning to work after the holidays, were affected.

The PNR scheduled special trips in routes where it is safe to cross: one for Tutuban to Alabang, one for Alabang to Tutuban and one for Alabang to Biñan, Laguna.