EDITORIAL - Riddled with glitches

Hang on tight throughout the ride, commuters have been advised following the latest mishaps on the Metro Rail Transit 3. Several commuters were hurt when the automatic brakes of two MRT 3 trains were inexplicably activated, causing the trains to come to an abrupt stop.

One was a southbound train that stopped before reaching the Santolan station in Quezon City last Tuesday morning. Over an hour later, a similar problem hit a train approaching the Magallanes station. Two passengers were hurt. MRT officials said the old railway tracks apparently made the train ride bumpy and activated the automatic brakes.

Poor maintenance of the MRT and Light Railway Transit has caused worse accidents in the past. MRT officials have told the public that the recent railway fare increases would not translate overnight into glitch-free service.

The latest glitches remind the public that President Aquino still has not acted on recommendations of the National Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice on the fate of Al Vitangcol, who was sacked as MRT 3 general manager amid accusations of corruption in connection with MRT train supply and maintenance deals.

The Office of the Ombudsman has been quicker to act on the accusations, but the public is interested in what Malacañang has to say about the NBI findings. The administration has vowed to follow the straight path or tuwid na daan, and the MRT mess is suspected to be a case wherein a detour was taken.

That detour is being blamed for the expensive but poor maintenance of the MRT that is endangering the safety of the riding public. President Aquino must not hesitate to make those responsible account for their actions. And a maintenance upgrade is badly needed before an accident more serious than an abrupt stop occurs.