The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 may extend its evening operation by an hour next week as it girds towards the rehabilitation of Edsa, the Department of Transportation chief said Wednesday.

In a radio interview, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said that the operation of MRT 3 which lasts until 10 pm will be extended until 11 pm. He added he will announce the exact date next week.

"The additional one hour (of operation) at night can be implemented next week so that instead of closing at 10 pm the operation will end by 11p m to serve our people, especially the call center agents who work at night, it is important," he said.

"Additional trains are also important. I think by next week, we could announce what day next week we can start this," he added.

Dizon acknowledged the need to maintain the 25-year-old MRT-3 rail system on a daily basis but he stressed the need for extended operating hours, specially with the coming rehabilitation of Edsa, the busiest thoroughfare in Metro Manila.

"We really need to maintain the trains everyday. There should really be a window between closing and opening everyday to maintain but I already told them (MRT) that we really need to do this especially with the upcoming rehabilitation of EDSA and they said they will try to do it and I think they can do it. We will just announce it next week," he said.

The Japanese government undertook the rehabilitation of the MRT-3 system in 2018.

The MRT and other rail lines in Metro Manila usually extend their operating hours during holiday season to accommodate the expected influx of passengers.

It can be recalled that the DOTr under the leadership of former Secretary Jaime Bautista said permanently extending the MRT-3 operation is "not feasible" as it explained that extending operating hours on a permanent basis will compromise the ability of its maintenance teams to conduct necessary system checks and repairs.

The agency previously noted that the maintenance activities of the rail lines "are vital to guarantee the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our train services." Robina Asido/DMS