(File photo courtesy of DOTr)
MANILA – The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Tuesday said new fiber optics would soon be installed to upgrade its security and communications system.
In a message sent to reporters, MRT-3 communications officer Rose Anne dela Cruz said the new cables would bring better stability to the rail line’s backbone data communications.
“New fiber optics cable will be used for the upgrading of signaling, CCTV and Private Automatic Branch Exchange systems for better stability of backbone data communication,” dela Cruz said.
In a message posted on Facebook, the MRT-3 said the upgrade will start next week and one of its purposes is to ensure a safe distance between each train within the rail line.
The rail project management office said its maintenance provider eyes the completion of the cable upgrade within this year.
“Target ng bagong maintenance provider na Sumitomo-MHI-TESP (Sumitomo) na makumpleto ang pagkakabit ng kable ngayong taon (The target of new maintenance provider Sumitomo is to complete the installation of cables this year),” the MRT-3 said.
Prior to its installation, the MRT-3 said the cables are undergoing testing and commissioning to ensure quality and performance.
The MRT-3 added the upgrade is part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) comprehensive rehabilitation of the metro rail line.
“Kung dati, copper wires lamang ang ginagamit para sa signalling system ng MRT-3, ngayon, dahil sa komprehensibong rehabilitasyon ng rail line, mapapalitan na ng mas modernong kagamitan ang system (If in the past, only copper wires were used for the signaling system of the MRT-3, now, because of the comprehensive rehabilitation of the rail line, these will be replaced with more modern equipment),” the MRT-3 said.
On Monday, the MRT-3 said it achieved the lowest number of unloading incidents in January to September this year compared to the same period in the last eight years.
So far, the MRT-3 only had 18 unloading incidents compared to 480 incidents in January to September of 2016, the highest recorded since 2012.
The comprehensive rehabilitation of the rail line has also resulted in the 100-percent operation of elevators in all MRT-3 stations, 30 out of 46 escalators in operation, and the installation of 93 air-conditioning units with 87 more coming.
Other improvements expected to be completed by July 2021 include the replacement of worn and damaged rails in the MRT-3’s mainline beginning this November, an increase in the number of running trains from 15 to 20, higher operating speed of 60 kph from 30 kph, and a decrease in the waiting time of passengers from 7.5 minutes to about 3.5 minutes. (PNA)
