New cracks found in MRT tracks

MANILA, Philippines - A newly discovered crack along the tracks of the EDSA-bound Metro Rail Transit (MRT) forced the rail line to suspend operations for 30 minutes Thursday afternoon.

The crack was found on the northbound section of the tracks at the Pasay-Taft station at past 4 p.m. MRT personnel installed braces to prevent the crack from getting worse.

During the repair – right at the start of the afternoon rush hours – the rail line allowed trains to go from North Avenue to Shaw Boulevard. The trip from Pasay Taft to Shaw Boulevard was suspended.

The MRT has suspended operations twice this year, in September and October, after cracks were discovered in the tracks. The MRT reportedly services 600,000 people a day, almost double its maximum capacity of 350,000 passengers a day.

MRT operations manager Renato San Jose said he has previously recommended rail replacement for certain sections of the 13-year-old rail line.