MRT-3 closed for Lent; 140 buses to be deployed

MANILA, Philippines — The government will deploy 140 public utility buses to provide commuters with an alternative mode of transportation during the Holy Week maintenance shutdown of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced yesterday.

The air-conditioned buses will replace the MRT-3 trains starting at 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April 15 to 17 and April 20 to 21, according to the DOTr.

The agency said bus fares would be based on the MRT-3 fare matrix provided that the passenger’s destination is along the railway line.

Destinations beyond the MRT-3 line will follow the usual bus fares.

The DOTr said proper signs would be placed on the buses, with the north and south staging areas to be located at the corner of West Avenue and EDSA in Quezon City and Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, respectively.

The bus deployment is a joint effort of an inter-agency task force composed of the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, MRT-3, Land Transportation Office, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Inter-Agency Council for Traffic to ensure the mobility of commuters in Metro Manila during the Holy Week.

Details of the MRT-3 bus augmentation program were finalized during a meeting of transport officials with bus operators on Wednesday.

The DOTr earlier said the “degraded condition” of the MRT-3 needs a longer maintenance shutdown, which requires a week-long suspension of operations from the previous four- to five-day closure.

Works to be conducted include the replacement of critical turnouts or switches, rail grinding, structural testing, topographic survey and monitoring plan activities for MRT-3 structures.

DOTr officials said the maintenance shutdown aims to improve the reliability of the MRT-3 system.

The MRT-3, which runs from the North Avenue station in Quezon City to Taft Avenue station in Pasay, will resume operations on April 22.

Motorist assistance teams

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revived its Motorist Assistance Teams (MAT) in anticipation of the surge of travelers during the Holy Week.

The DPWH said the MATs would be deployed around the clock at strategic locations nationwide from April 7 to 22 in line with its “Lakbay Alalay” program.  

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said uniformed MAT personnel would be equipped with maintenance equipment to provide emergency assistance to motorists.

Villar said they are ready to assist travelers going to the provinces for the Holy Week.   – With Evelyn Macairan