ABS-CBN News  | December 23, 2016

The Department of Transportation said Friday 27 new elevators were installed in several Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) stations in time for the holiday rush.

The new units, maintained by Installer Powerlift Corp., are cable elevators with permanent magnet that do not need oil to operate, the transportation department said.

Five more new elevators are being installed at MRT-3 stations in North Avenue-northbound, Ortigas-southbound, Buendia-concourse, and Ayala-southbound.

"The elevators would relieve passengers from carrying heavy bags especially this Christmas," MRT-3 general manager Deo Manalo said.

Manalo and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade led the inspection of the elevators on Friday.

All new elevators are expected to be installed by January 2017. Repair and rehabilitation of escalators are also ongoing and expected to be completed on February 2017, DOTr said.

MRT-3 trains are running on extended peak-hour operation in anticipation of the Christmas rush, it added.