Why MRT-3’s new coaches run only on weekends

Wondering why the eight new coaches of the MRT-3 run only on weekends?

MRT General Manager Roman Buenafe said only six drivers had so far been certified as qualified to drive the new coaches.

"Unang una ang drivers ko aanim pa lang ang certified," said MRT 3 General Manager Roman Buenafe at a press conference in his office in Quezon City.

Buenafe, however, indicated that there would soon be enough drivers to drive the trains for the public's conveyance and convenience.

"We're catching up, we're coming up with a plan for the training and certification of the existing drivers of the MRT-3," he added.

The government in 2013 bought 48 coaches from Chinese firm Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. Only eight have so far been delivered.

The delivery of the 48 LRVs, on the other hand, is expected to completed by January 2017, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications, which supervises the MRT 3.

An MRT driver has to undergo 15 working days of training for him to be allowed to run the China-made trains.

A new hire, meanwhile, has to complete the course in 35 working days.

The MRT-3 currently has 90 drivers but only six has received training from manufacturer Dalian.

These six drivers, in turn, will train their colleagues under the supervision of Dalian representatives, Buenafe said.

"Hindi po ito parang sasakyan lang na humugot ka ng driver, eh kaya nang imaneho. Kailangan po magkaroon ng pagsusulit, pagtuturo, pagte-training at pagsi-certify nang mapayagan natin ang isang driver na magmaneho ng bagong train," he added.

Buenafe stressed the importance of of improving the rail line's signaling system, which prevents trains from colliding, to ensure safety of commuters.

"Nagprocure kasi tayo ng total replacement for signaling so inaayos namin kung anong signaling system ang gagamitin sa total replacement tapos iyon na rin ang iaayuda namin dun sa Dalian (trains)," he said.

A South Korean-Filipino joint venture bagged last January the three-year, P3.81-billion contract for the general overhaul of 43 coaches, the total replacement of the signaling system within 24 months, and the maintenance works of the MRT system.

The joint venture is composed of Busan Transportation Corporation, which has been operating and maintaining four lines of Busan's mass transit system since 1999, Edison Development & Construction, Tramat Mercantile, Inc., TMICorp Inc., and Castan Corporation. —NB, GMA News