By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Thousands of commuters experienced longer travel times Tuesday morning after the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) imposed temporary speed restrictions following a signalling system problem along a portion of its southbound line.
MRT-3 management said an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) brake activation occurred at around 6:08 a.m. between Santolan and Ortigas stations, prompting operators to enforce a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour on the affected southbound section as a safety precaution.
The reduced operating speed led to slower train movements and heavier passenger congestion at several stations during the morning rush hour.
Despite the disruption, MRT-3 said 19 train sets remained in service on the main line while technical personnel worked to manage the situation and maintain operations.
Rail officials assured the public that the temporary speed restriction was implemented to prioritize passenger safety while the signalling issue was being addressed.
“We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding,” MRT-3 management said in an advisory, adding that operational measures were immediately put in place to minimize the impact on commuters.
The agency has yet to announce when normal train speeds will be fully restored.
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