MRT plans shortened night runs

Due to significant losses in earnings, the Metro Rail Transit Authority (MRTA) said yesterday it plans to shorten its midnight operations.

MRTA spokesman Mariano Gui said they are recommending to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to reduce their midnight runs from the current last trip of 11:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Gui said maintenance personnel usually work on the trains between midnight and dawn.

He said shortening the operation hours would give them allowance for procedures needed to maintain coaches, power cables and rails in preparation for the following day.

The MRTA started implementing extended operating hours of its train system last Aug. 22 to encourage car owners to save fuel by using use mass transport.

The MRT used to operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. — Sandy Araneta