Manila Bulletin Published August 9, 2018, 11:01 PM By Vanne Elaine Terrazola

Passengers of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) Thursday night were unloaded after the train suffered yet another glitch supposedly due to an electrical problem.

The glitch comes after the viral MRT-3 “rain” because of a leak from one of its airconditioning unit (ACU), which prompted passengers to use their umbrellas inside the train.


The MRT-3 unloaded 1, 050 passengers of its northbound train at 9:41 p.m. at the Buendia Station. This reporter happened to be one of the passengers affected.


Prior to the unloading, the train bound for North Avenue around 8:30 p.m. took a while at Magallanes Station, with the train operator telling commuters that it was conducting an “intervention.”


Minutes later, it departed for Ayala Station and then to Buendia, where the train had completely shut down.


The train stopped at around 8:56 p.m. in the tunnel between the Ayala and Buendia Stations. This time, the train operator had repeatedly told passengers that the train had a “technical problem” and another “intervention” is still being conducted.


During the supposed intervention, the train had moved backwards only to suddenly stop. This occurred thrice. Passengers were also told to open the train’s windows.


Later, at around 9:30 p.m. passengers were informed that the train will be pushed towards Buendia Station where they will be unloaded. Doors had to be manually opened for passengers to get out.


Electrical failure


In an advisory, the MRT-3 said the glitch was due to an electrical failure in the train’s motor. One cause of the said failure is worn-out electrical sub-components, it added.


The whole train carrying some 1050 passengers were unloaded. They were loaded in the next train which arrived nine minutes later.


Some passengers, however, were heard complaining that they have been waiting for the train for about an hour.


The MRT-3 has apologized for the inconvenience. It said preventive measures would be conducted, particularly preventive maintenance, replacement of electrical components, ensuring the availability of spare parts.


In November last year, a northbound MRT-3 also encountered a major glitch between the Ayala and Buendia Stations after its coaches detached, causing more than 100 passengers to walk along the rail tracks.