LRTA investigates latest glitch: MRT train running with open door

Published September 3, 2014 9:27am

(Updated 1:12 p.m.) The Metro Rail Transit is investigating why one of its coaches was running with its doors open Tuesday night.

In a television interview Wednesday, Light Rail Transit Authority and MRT spokesman Hernando Cabrera said they are looking into possible violation of safety protocols or a non-working door sensor.

"Kasama iyan sa imbestigasyon," Cabrera told GMA News TV's "News to Go."

He said one thing they are looking into is that the operator may have failed to follow the safety protocol of not going forward if the door is still open.

But he also said they will look into whether the door sensor, which prevents the train from moving if the door is still open, may have been damaged.

On Tuesday night, YouScooper JaPat Ventura posted on Facebook a video of the MRT moving with the door still open.

In his post, Ventura said the train stopped between Guadalupe and Boni stations for 20 to 30 minutes, with the operator saying a door was not fully closed.

He said the operator then "started the engine, opened the doors of the train, and drove it like nothing happened."

Don't block train doors

Meanwhile, in the same television interview, Cabrera urged the public to refrain from blocking the train doors when it's closing.

"Ito ang lagi naming pakisaup sa mga pasahero natin na huwag sanang sandalan ang mga pintuan, at kunwari pasakay sila, huwag ipitan kapag pasara na ang pintuan... Kasi kapag ginagawa natin ito, nasisira ang sensor," he said.

"Ito ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit tayo nagkakaaberya or kung bakit ang sensor ng pintuan ay hindi gagana," he added.

However, he stressed that he does not blame the commuters for the possible damaging of the sensor.

"As of the moment, ayaw ko silang i-blame, basically, tignan nalang muna namin ang nangyari sa system," he said. "Tama na ang hirap na dinaranas nila everyday, ayaw ko silang i-blame sa incident."

Subject of complaints

The incident marked the latest problem involving the MRT, which had been the subject of complaints for disrupted trips.

Last month, an MRT coach overshot the safety barrier at the Taft Avenue station, injuring nearly 40 people.

A signaling system glitch last Aug. 23 forced the MRT to suspend operations. On Monday, MRT trips were disrupted anew due to a signaling system problem.

Despite the glitches, commuters endure long lines especially in the morning to ride the MRT to school and work.

The MRT links North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City via Epifanio delos Santos Avenue.

Its recent problems triggered challenges for government officials to ride the MRT so they would get a firsthand experience of the problems hounding the MRT. — Joel Locsin and Amanda Fernandez/LBG/RSJ/NB, GMA News

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