Manila: The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is offering free rides to all commuters starting at 12 noon on Wednesday. This decision comes as an apology from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) after an early morning service interruption affected the rail line.
According to Philippines News Agency, the MRT-3 released a statement assuring commuters that necessary measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents and to enhance service quality. This follows a directive from acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, who instructed MRT-3 General Manager Michael Capati to explain within 24 hours why he should not face administrative sanctions due to the service disruption that began at 5:30 a.m.
The interruption occurred between the Buendia and Guadalupe stations, with normal train operations resuming at 6:57 a.m. Secretary Lopez emphasized the need to identify the cause of the disruption to ensure continuous and reliable train services for commuters.
Lopez also requested an explanation from the MRT-3 maintenance provider, Sumitomo, and its consultants regarding the incident. He highlighted the inconvenience caused to passengers who rely on MRT-3 for their daily commutes.
As investigations continue, the MRT-3 has not yet disclosed the cause of the technical issue that led to the provisional service limitation between North Avenue and Shaw Boulevard.
