The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that in observance of the Lenten Season, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), Light Rail Transit Authority Line 2 (LRT-2) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), will temporarily halt its operations.
This is to allow the railway lines to conduct a thorough maintenance check as part of its annual Holy Week Maintenance Activities.
MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael Capati said the line’s temporary shutdown will allow Sumitomo-MHI-TESP, the Japanese maintenance provider, to conduct needed repair and maintenance works. These include the replacement of turnout parts for depot tracks and other remaining works on the guideway. The six-day suspended operations will also give time to rehabilitate MRT-3’s power supply and carry out other rehabilitation works, including equipment installation; cable laying/termination; point machine replacement; and the removal, re-installation, and calibration for turnouts, including checking MRT-3’s communications system.
For LRT-1, the break will allow it to conduct maintenance works on the line’s various sections and facilities. To ensure quality operational condition of the rail line, its heavy maintenance section, light maintenance section, overhead catenary section, power distribution sector – rectifier substation system, signaling and telecom section, tracks and civil section, building and facilities section, and depot equipment section will undergo maintenance and repair works.
With regard to LRT-2, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) spokesperson Atty. Hernando Cabrera said the trains and facilities of the LRT-2 will be cleaned and checked for needed repairs, replacement, and preventive maintenance. To be checked are the line’s stations and facilities, electronics and telecommunications systems, the overhead catenary system, train coaches, the power system, rectifiers, signaling system, and tracks during the five-day break.
The following schedule will be observed:
- MRT-3 will be closed starting March 30, 2021 (Holy Tuesday) until April 4, 2021 (Easter Sunday); regular operations to resume on April 5, 2021
- LRT-1 and LRT-2 will be closed starting March 31, 2021 (Holy Wednesday) until April 4, 2021 (Easter Sunday); regular operations to resume on April 5, 2021
- PNR will continue to operate on April 1, 2021 (Maundy Thursday) but only for Calamba-Tutuban route; there will be no operations from April 2-3, 2021 (Good Friday to Black Saturday); operations to resume on April 4, 2021 (Easter Sunday) for the following routes:
- Tutuban-Alabang and vice versa
- Tutuban-Calamba and vice versa
- Tutuban-Gov. Pascual and vice versa
- Gov. Pascual-Bicutan and vice versa
- Naga-Sipocot and vice versa
- Regular operations of the PNR to resume on April 5, 2021
For the Philippine National Railways, PNR General Manager Junn Magno said they will also activate “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2021” to provide adequate, safe, and reliable passenger train service for commuters in Metro Manila (Area 1) and Bicol (Area 2) during the Holy Week.
The DOTr also enjoins the public to take note of the maintenance schedule, and the scheduled resumption of operations, so that they can plan their travel accordingly.
The agency also reminded the public not to forget or ignore the health and safety protocols that are in place when traveling.