MRT3 trains back at 60kph speed after 7 years

After seven years, the trains of Metro Rail Transit - Line 3 (MRT3) are back to running at 60 kilometers per hour (kph).

A report by Jonathan Andal on Unang Balita on Wednesday quoted the MRT3 management as saying that the last time the trains were recorded at 60kph was in September 2013.

The trains’ speed was recorded at 30kph in September, 40kph in October, and 50kph in November.

According to MRT3, the travel time was also reduced from one hour and 15 minutes in September to 50 minutes this December.

PANOORIN: Tumatakbo na sa bilis na 60kph, mula sa dating bilis na 50kph, ang mga naka-deploy na tren sa linya ng MRT-3 simula noong Lunes, ika-07 ng Disyembre 2020 pic.twitter.com/sxyMrnOGwH

— DOTr MRT-3 (@dotrmrt3) December 8, 2020

The waiting time of passengers was also cut from 8 to 9.5 minutes in September to 3.5 to 4 minutes.

With the faster trains, the MRT3 can now accommodate more passengers. However, the management noted that the allowed capacity will remain at 30% in light of the threat of COVID-19.

MRT3 said that an average of 19 or 20 trains are running in operation every day.

The replacement of tracks -- also intended to reduce vibration-caused breakdowns, increased reliability of the rail system, and lesser passenger delays -- was part of MRT3’s massive rehabilitation program.

Aside from this, the comprehensive rehab works also include general overhaul of all 72 light rail vehicles of the MRT3, rehabilitation of power and OCS, upgrade of the signalling system, communications and CCTV systems, repair of all escalators and elevators, among other system repairs and improvements. --Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News