The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 extended its operation starting Monday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

In its Facebook post, the DOTr said MRT - 3 operation will only be extended every weekdays while the old schedule will continue on weekends

"The one hour extended operation of DOTr MRT-3 every night from Monday to Friday starts today!," the DOTr said Monday.

Following the implementation of the extended MRT-3 operation, the entrance of northbound passengers at Taft Avenue station will be closed by 11:04 pm from the previous schedule of 10:04 pm while Magallanes will be close at 11:09 pm, Ayala at 11:10 pm, Buendia at 11:11 pm, Guadalupe at 11:17 pm, Boni at 11:19 pm, Shaw Boulevard at 11:20 pm, Ortigas at 11:23 pm, Santolan at 11:26 pm, Araneta - Cubao at 11:27 pm, GMA - Kamuning at 11:30 pm, and Quezon Avenue at 11:32 pm.

The entrance of southbound passengers at North Avenue station will be closed by 10:25 pm from it's previous schedule of 9:25 pm while Quezon Avenue will be close at 10:28 pm, GMA-Kamuning at 10:30 pm, Araneta-Cubao at 10:32 pm, Santolan at 10:37 pm, Ortigas at 10:40 pm, Shaw Boulevard at 10:41 pm, Boni at 10:45 pm, Guadalupe at 10:47 pm, Buendia at 10:48 pm, Ayala at 10:50 pm, and Magallanes at 10:53 pm.

The DOTr also noted that additional trains will be deployed during peak hours to ensure faster and more comfortable travel for passengers.

In a previous interview, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon stressed the need to extend the operation of the MRT-3 noting the coming rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA)considered as 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 (extension of MRT-3 operation) especially with the upcoming rehabilitation of EDSA," he said. Robina Asido/DMS