After two days of implementing a twenty four (24) hour operation, the MRT3 management decided to experiment the second option. Starting June 3, the “midnight train” operation scheme will be implemented. The entry gates of the MRT3 stations will be open until 12:01 midnight to accommodate riders of the last train dispatched from the North Station in Quezon City.

During the 24 hour operation, the MRT3 recorded the highest passengers of about 3000 between 11 P.M. and 12 midnight. Most stations were observed empty between 2 A.M. and 4:30 A.M. “This passenger profile is due to the call center agents’ schedule of reporting to work before midnight”, according to Assec. Reynaldo I. Berroya of DOTC-MRT3. The passenger profile of the DOTC-MRT3 also revealed that the third shift wage earners in Metro Manila, such as factory workers, security guards, and hospital attendants report to work at 12 midnight. In order to save the wear and tear of the MRT3 system, the management decided to operate when there are passengers only.

Safety of the passengers and MRT3 system itself must be ensured. Maintenance of the rail road tracks, power and electrical lines that propels the system are done daily between 1 A.M. and 4 A.M. “Effective maintenance of the system cannot be done if MRT3 will continue to operate 24 hours daily”, Assec. Berroya clarified.