The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Tuesday announced the completion of rail replacement works along its southbound tracks from Buendia to Magallanes Station.

“Mas magiging swabe na ang pagbiyahe mula sa istasyon ng Buendia hanggang Magallanes [Southbound] dahil makinis at bagung-bago na ang mga riles nito (The ride from Buendia to Magallanes will be even smoother because of its brand-new and levelled rails),” the MRT-3 said in a Facebook post.

MRT-3 director for Operations Michael Capati said the train line will continuously perform rail replacement works, in line with repairs and restorations of its numerous systems and train cars, to hit their target completion date for all rail replacements by February 2021.

“Sa oras na mapalitan ito, kasabay ng pagsasaayos ng sistema at ng mga bagon, mararamdaman talaga ng ating mga pasahero ang malaking magandang pagbabago sa ating operasyon (By the time rails are replaced, in conjunction with system repairs and overhaul of train cars, our passengers will feel the massive improvement in our operations),” Capati said.

Following the completion of rail replacement works of the Buendia to Magallanes segment, the MRT-3 said rail replacement works have begun from Magallanes to Taft Avenue Station on Saturday.

And to ensure that improvement works do not affect the daily operations of the rail service, the MRT-3 said its rail replacement works continue to only be during non-revenue hours since its start on November 4.

The MRT-3 noted that the rail replacement works are vital to avoid damage caused by rough tracks which were the primary cause of past operational issues.

“Oras na mapalitan ng bago ang mga lumang riles ay maiiwasan na ang pagkakatagtag ng mga bagon sa biyahe na isa sa mga pangunahing sanhi ng problema o aberya sa operasyon (By the time the old rails are replaced with new ones, excessive vibration and shaking of train cars will be avoided which are the main cause of problems or issues during operation),” the MRT-3 said.

The MRT-3 said the operational speed of its trains will increase in smoother tracks which will result in shorter headway—the time between trains—and larger daily passenger capacity for the rail line.

In May, the Department of Transportation initiated a PHP18 billion rehabilitation project for the MRT-3.

The project, which was awarded to Sumitomo-MHI-TESP, will improve the MRT-3 through the replacement or rehabilitation of tracks, trains, signaling systems, stations, among other improvements to the rail service. (PNA)