MRT to run 24/7 next month

MANILA, Philippines - The EDSA-bound Metro Rail Transit (MRT) will operate 24 hours, seven days a week starting June 1, newly-installed MRT general manager Reynaldo Berroya said yesterday.

Berroya said they are pursuing the move primarily to provide a cheap, safe and fast mode of transport specifically for call center employees who go to work at odd hours of the night.

Berroya said President Arroyo herself had ordered him to work for the round-the-clock operation of the MRT when she appointed him to his new post last week.

“We’re now working on it. Right now, it is still in continuing evaluation. We have one week to implement it,” Berroya told The Star. “Actually, we see it to be physically possible. If it’s financially viable, we’re not sure.”

Berroya said that they doubt if the ridership during the extended hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., of the targeted call center employee segment could provide enough revenue to fund the added maintenance costs of running the rail line for 24 hours.

“We’re not sure of the financial viability, of the ridership vis-a-vis cost of maintaining the trains during those hours. On top of that, there are safety considerations,” Berroya said. – Rainier Allan Ronda