THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the management of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) denied the allegation that the rail line’s four-car trains are unsafe for commuters.
According to the management, the allegation was raised in a vlog by Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando and members of the MRT-3 Employees Association.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the DOTr emphasized that all MRT-3 train sets undergo thorough technical evaluations and neither the department nor its maintenance provider, Sumitomo Corp., would compromise passenger safety.
“The safety of commuters remains our top priority,” the agency said.
The department clarified that the MRT-3 signaling system is fully capable of supporting four-car trains running from North Avenue to Taft Avenue. The system has also been validated by the international rail consultancy Systra, which confirmed its safety for daily operations.
The DOTr also refuted claims that the newly acquired Dalian trains are not ready for deployment or that train operators lack proper training. All trains, it said, undergo the necessary technical inspections and operational assessments before being approved for service. Coordination meetings are continuously held to ensure operational readiness and compliance with safety standards.
The department noted that MRT-3 had sent a detailed letter to San Fernando on Feb. 13, explaining the results of the technical and safety evaluations. The lawmaker’s office received the letter on Feb. 18, but no response has been made yet. Regarding train operator schedules, MRT-3 management reiterated that work shifts adhere to the guidelines set by the Civil Service Commission.
DOTr also urged commuters and vehicle owners to use the public rail services amid rising fuel prices, noting that “this is not the time for politics” and emphasizing the need to support the public during the ongoing global crisis.
