Nancy seeks passenger-first mentality in public
 transport authorities and operators

Resolution to look into inadequate maintenance of MRT trains

Senator Nancy Binay has filed Senate resolution no. 840 urging the body to conduct an inquiry intending to promote a passenger-first mentality to public transport authorities and operators.

"The increasing number of incidents of train malfunction arising from inadequate maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 is alarming, and endangers the lives of the commuting public," she said.

"It is important to look into this, given that the system carries more passengers than it was designed for," Binay added.

Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said that the MRT carries 500,000 passengers per day when it was only designed to carry 350,000 passengers.

Many were injured when a defective MRT train slammed into a barrier at the Taft Avenue station Wednesday afternoon. The MRT said it is now investigating the incident to determine the reason/s behind the mishap.

Binay said that there are a number of reports saying that the MRT trains and railways are vulnerable to breakdown which causes injuries, delays and long lines due to inadequate preventive maintenance, absence of regular inspection, lack of spare parts replacement and readiness in times of accidents and risks.

The lady senator added that it is necessary for the Senate to look into the matter "to prevent future accidents and mishaps that may claim the lives of thousands of Filipino commuters and motorists".

"Ano ho ba ang protocol pagdating sa emergency situations, alam ba ito ng mga train operators? May backup system ba kung saka-sakaling mawalan ng kuryente? May sistema ho ba pagdating sa pagpila, lalo na patungkol sa mga kababaihan, bata, matanda at may kapansanan? Ang mga reports sabi kanya-kanya pagdating sa pagpasok at paglabas ng tren, ilan po ito sa mga tanong ng mga pasahero," Binay said.

Newspaper columnist Jarius Bondoc has said that the "MRT-3 is a disaster waiting to happen" in a column piece a few months ago. He said that "no real upkeep is being made of four components: power supply, trains, tracks, and signal system".

Bondoc also detailed a few incidents resulting from the poor maintenance being done on the trains.