Commuters beware: ‘Weight problems’ beset LRT, MRT

Authorities of the Light Rail Transit found the problem in the continuing malfunctioning of the trains, as they blamed “overloading” has been causing main damages to it making them malfunction.

LRT Administration (LRTA) spokesman, lawyer Hernando Cabrera, said “overloading” may be causing LRT or Metro Rail Transit (MRT) trains to break down during rush hour.

“We’re overloaded at peak hours . . . the rail system can bear the punishment but spare parts and components start to wear down.” he said.

On Wednesday, an LRT-2 train at C.M. Recto Avenue in Manila, had an engine problem—an air leak, forcing train authorities to ask the passengers to get down the train.

While the engine problem was quickly fixed in only six minutes, the train’s brakes malfunctioned forcing the LRTA to bring the train to the depot at the V. Mapa area at around 7:38 a.m. on Wednesday.

Although the second “glitch” was fixed at 7:45 a.m., Cabrera said the incident had caused an “exponential” delay because the schedules of other trains behind were affected.

By FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO