MRT glitches being addressed, Palace says

After a Metro Rail Transit (MRT) accident that injured at least 39 persons last week, Malacañang assured passengers on Thursday that glitches in the train's operations are being addressed. 

 

In a text message, deputy spokesperson Undersecretary Abigail Valte said MRT officials and employees are making sure that the train's daily operation go as smoothly as possible.

 

"Minomonitor ng maigi ng DOTC [Department of Transportation and Communications] at MRT ang araw araw na pagtakbo ng MRT upang masigurong maayos ang pagtakbo nito at siguruhing ligtas ang mga mananakay," Valte said.

 

She added that glitches in the MRT will be immediately attended to.

 

"Kung sakaling mang magkaroon ng aberya ay andiyan agad ang mga kawani nito para tumugon," the Palace official said.

 

At least 39 passengers, including children and the elderly, were hurt last week after an MRT train slammed through a steel barricade at the Taft Avenue station in Pasay City.

 

Administrative charges will be filed against train drivers and control center employees who supposedly committed errors that led to the overshooting of an MRT coach last week.

 

Even before the accident last week, the MRT--which is being operated by the DOTC in partnership with private firm Metro Rail Transit Corporation--has been prone to glitches.

 

Last March, 10 passengers were hurt after an MRT train made a sudden stop near the Ayala station in Makati. The MRT management also blamed the incident on driver's error.

 

A computer system error also forced the MRT to limit its operations five months ago. 

 

The MRT, which runs along EDSA from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, currently ferries 560,000 passengers daily—way beyond its 320,000 design capacity.

 

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said last week that President Benigno Aquino III has a high level of interest in mass transport facilities like the MRT. —NB, GMA News