Longer train operating hours mulled

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is open to extending train operating hours, but the move is far from a done deal.

In a statement, the DoTr said that while longer hours could ease the daily grind for Metro Manila commuters, the challenge lies in ensuring the system remains reliable which hinges on the approval of maintenance providers and operators.

On Tuesday, newly-minted Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed that he supports lengthening the operating hours of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems to improve the commuting experience. He acknowledged that maintenance remains a key concern.

“We need to demand longer hours. Of course, the issue is going to be maintenance. So I’m going to have to talk to the maintenance providers and see what’s wrong,” Dizon said.

“I understand, we have to maintain, of course, we don’t want trains stopping again, like in the past. But we must strive to expand our capabilities. And this is all for passenger welfare. We want to make the commuting public’s experience easier,” he added.

Dizon said extending train operations by at least two hours could significantly ease commuters’ daily struggles — a shift from the previous administration’s stance in December, when it ruled out longer hours due to maintenance concerns.

MRT-3 operates from 4:36 a.m. to 10:11 p.m., while LRT-1 runs from 4:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. on weekdays, with shorter weekend hours. LRT-2, on the other hand, runs from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Any extension of these hours will require coordination with operators and maintenance teams to prevent disruptions and ensure the reliability of the train systems.