MRT-3 trains reach 60-kph speed

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3)’s trains reached on Monday an operating speed of 60 kilometers per hour (kph), the rail line’s fastest in seven years.

In a statement yesterday, MRT-3 director for operations Michael Capati said the average time between trains has been cut in half from eight to nine-and-a-half minutes to three-and-a-half to four minutes.

“The increase in train speed will provide our passengers a safer, faster and more reliable public transportation,” Capati said.

The improvement in train speed is a result of rail replacement works completed in September by the MRT-3’s maintenance provider, Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from Japan.

The rail replacement works were supposed to be completed in February 2021.

Trains can now travel to and from the MRT-3’s North Avenue to Shaw Boulevard stations at 60 kph and both directions between its Shaw Boulevard and Taft Avenue stations at 55 kph.

Capati said they are targeting to increase the entire rail line’s operating speed to 60 kph before the year ends.