DOTr: All 34 elevators, 44 of 46 escalators now operational at MRT3 stations

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday announced that all 34 elevators at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3's (MRT3) stations, as well as 44 out of 46 escalators, are now operational.

Prior to the rehabilitation works of the MRT3 by Japanese contractor Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-TESP, only 19 out of the 46 escalators, and 27 out of 34 elevators were operational, the DOTr said.

"The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the MRT3 remain firm on our promise to bring back the original state of the rail line's services. Though the COVID-19 pandemic suspended our revenue operations, we took measures in coordination with the IATF to ensure that the rehabilitation and maintenance of MRT-3 continued," Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said.

For his part, MRT3 director for operations Michael Capati said that the two remaining escalators will be fixed once the needed spare parts arrive in the country, noting that production and delivery was put on hold as a result of global lockdowns.

The DOTr said rail replacement works at the MRT3 has continued during the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and MECQ period.

It said that 40,860 out of 65,892 or 62.01% linear meters of rails have been completed as of 2 June 2020, out of which or 13.98% linear meters of rails were completed during the ECQ and MECQ.

With this, the MRT3 targets to complete its rail replacement works by September this year, several months ahead of its February 2021 target date, according to the DOTr. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News