It's not true that Actually Demolish the MRT-3 System and the MRT-3 would convert to a full metro, while they add 48 trains - the LRT-1 3G train, the Madrid Metro trains, and DOTC Sec. Jun Abaya says that cannot demolish the entire MRT3 line. Upgrading signaling system for the entire line and having the platform screen doors for the 13-station existing MRT line.
Tired of the long lines at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3)? Passengers will have to wait for the solution until 2015.
During the Senate Finance committee hearing Monday, April 7, MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol III said the first batch of additional MRT 3 trains are expected to be delivered in February 2015 after much delays in the expansion project.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) bid out a P3.769-billion project that involves the procurement of 48 carriages aimed at easing passenger congestion.
At present, MRT 3 carries up to 560,000 passengers a day, way above its design capacity of 320,000.
Two weeks ago, the MRT-3 was plagued with complaints from passengers who had to line up for up to two hours to board trains.
Vitangcol said the long queus are already being addressed.
He said the long lines were the result of a system-wide evaluation of facilities – including the train signalling system, which required MRT 3 to reduce the speed of its trains.
"When we determined that the system is good and safe for usual travel, then we returned to the normal speed and increased the number of trains running," Vitangcol said.
"If they can see the stations now, the long lines (like those of two weeks ago) are gone and the lines are now minimal. But the solution is really to have additional trains," he added.
Business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan has made an offer to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to invest P4.5 billion to P8 billion for the purchase of much needed brand-new trains and rehabilitate the facilities of the EDSA-based Metro Rail Transit (MRT).
DOTC sources said Pangilinan made the “unofficial offer” earlier this week to pour much needed funds and then assume the operation and management of the rail line over a 25-year period, and that this was given initial consideration by the department.
Included in the proposed investment are the procurement of rolling stock or light rail vehicles (LRVs) or trains, the upgrade of the signalling and other systems of the line, operational expenses, and the payment of the necessary governmentfees.
In exchange for the investment, Pangilinan’s Group, most likely under listed infrastructure and real estate asset holding company Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), upon takeover of the rail line, will set a fare rate of about P28 a passenger.
“Under the proposal, there will be a charge of P28 per passenger. It will be implemented on a staggered basis over a period of 25 years,” the source said.
DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II earlier said that the department was planning to set aside P6 billion from the P72-billion stimulus fund set up by the Aquino administration to fund the upgrade and rehabilitation of the MRT’s light rail vehicles or train coaches, which he said was getting tremendous wear-and-tear from the daily overcapacity ridership.
He pointed out that the daily capacity of the MRT line was placed at 360,000 passengers but it was seeing a ridership of 488,000 passengers a day.
“The trains are battered every day,” Roxas said.
In order to decongest the trains, they are planning to acquire new LRVs or the coaches which will greatly address the daily breakdown and service interruption problems at the MRT.
“We’re studying the purchase of LRVs. MRT’s design capacity is only for 360,000 passengers a day, but its actual load is at 488,000 passengers, so it’s really overloaded. That’s why there’s a breakdown almost every day,” Roxas said.
Privatization
If privatizing the MRT-3, and transferring the operations to LRTA. If they ever transferred the operations to the LRTA before, then all this trouble would've happened.
Redevelopment of North Avenue MRT Station
They would be fine sa minor fixing ng MRT-3 North Avenue station in front of Trinoma Mall na magkakaroon siya ng parang 2nd level concourse area before 3rd level platform area similar to MRT-2 Stations and LRT-1 Balintawak and Roosevelt Stations. Pwede naman siguro may space naman sa ilalim para mas marami ang booth for ticket at mabawasan ang pila lalo na sa labas kailangan lang nila sirain yung overpass sa ilalim.
MRT-3 South Extension Project
Conceptualization of the MRT-3 South Extension Project runs from Taft Avenue to J.W. Diokno, Pasay City.
The project involves the construction of an approximate length of 1.74 km from the terminus of the MRT Line 3 at the Metropoint Mall in EDSA to the Mall of Asia Station at Bay City; of which approximately 17 km will be combined and 1.74 km will be at-grade. The whole stretch of the integrated MRT-3 with total length of approximately 18.69 km will be operated and maintained by the private proponent.
Project Location
Tired of the long lines at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3)? Passengers will have to wait for the solution until 2015.
During the Senate Finance committee hearing Monday, April 7, MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol III said the first batch of additional MRT 3 trains are expected to be delivered in February 2015 after much delays in the expansion project.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) bid out a P3.769-billion project that involves the procurement of 48 carriages aimed at easing passenger congestion.
At present, MRT 3 carries up to 560,000 passengers a day, way above its design capacity of 320,000.
Two weeks ago, the MRT-3 was plagued with complaints from passengers who had to line up for up to two hours to board trains.
Vitangcol said the long queus are already being addressed.
He said the long lines were the result of a system-wide evaluation of facilities – including the train signalling system, which required MRT 3 to reduce the speed of its trains.
"When we determined that the system is good and safe for usual travel, then we returned to the normal speed and increased the number of trains running," Vitangcol said.
"If they can see the stations now, the long lines (like those of two weeks ago) are gone and the lines are now minimal. But the solution is really to have additional trains," he added.
Business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan has made an offer to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to invest P4.5 billion to P8 billion for the purchase of much needed brand-new trains and rehabilitate the facilities of the EDSA-based Metro Rail Transit (MRT).
DOTC sources said Pangilinan made the “unofficial offer” earlier this week to pour much needed funds and then assume the operation and management of the rail line over a 25-year period, and that this was given initial consideration by the department.
Included in the proposed investment are the procurement of rolling stock or light rail vehicles (LRVs) or trains, the upgrade of the signalling and other systems of the line, operational expenses, and the payment of the necessary governmentfees.
In exchange for the investment, Pangilinan’s Group, most likely under listed infrastructure and real estate asset holding company Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), upon takeover of the rail line, will set a fare rate of about P28 a passenger.
“Under the proposal, there will be a charge of P28 per passenger. It will be implemented on a staggered basis over a period of 25 years,” the source said.
DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II earlier said that the department was planning to set aside P6 billion from the P72-billion stimulus fund set up by the Aquino administration to fund the upgrade and rehabilitation of the MRT’s light rail vehicles or train coaches, which he said was getting tremendous wear-and-tear from the daily overcapacity ridership.
He pointed out that the daily capacity of the MRT line was placed at 360,000 passengers but it was seeing a ridership of 488,000 passengers a day.
“The trains are battered every day,” Roxas said.
In order to decongest the trains, they are planning to acquire new LRVs or the coaches which will greatly address the daily breakdown and service interruption problems at the MRT.
“We’re studying the purchase of LRVs. MRT’s design capacity is only for 360,000 passengers a day, but its actual load is at 488,000 passengers, so it’s really overloaded. That’s why there’s a breakdown almost every day,” Roxas said.
Privatization
If privatizing the MRT-3, and transferring the operations to LRTA. If they ever transferred the operations to the LRTA before, then all this trouble would've happened.
Redevelopment of North Avenue MRT Station
They would be fine sa minor fixing ng MRT-3 North Avenue station in front of Trinoma Mall na magkakaroon siya ng parang 2nd level concourse area before 3rd level platform area similar to MRT-2 Stations and LRT-1 Balintawak and Roosevelt Stations. Pwede naman siguro may space naman sa ilalim para mas marami ang booth for ticket at mabawasan ang pila lalo na sa labas kailangan lang nila sirain yung overpass sa ilalim.
MRT-3 South Extension Project
Conceptualization of the MRT-3 South Extension Project runs from Taft Avenue to J.W. Diokno, Pasay City.
The project involves the construction of an approximate length of 1.74 km from the terminus of the MRT Line 3 at the Metropoint Mall in EDSA to the Mall of Asia Station at Bay City; of which approximately 17 km will be combined and 1.74 km will be at-grade. The whole stretch of the integrated MRT-3 with total length of approximately 18.69 km will be operated and maintained by the private proponent.
Project Location
MRT-3 Train Upgrade
In spite of the development project on the train system, however, a rail technology maintenance contractor said the MRT needs a major system upgrade, including the total replacement of its obsolete signaling systems to prevent rail line disruptions and accidents.
Roehl Bacar, CEO of Comm Builders and Technology Philippines (CB&T), told The STAR that the MRT has several critical systems issues that could only be addressed by an upgrade not by maintenance.
He also said that the ingenuity and stubbornness of Filipino rail maintenance contractors should be given credit for their ability to keep the MRT running despite the poor condition of its systems and equipment.
CB&T was a member of the joint venture consortium PH Trams-CB&T that undertook the maintenance of the MRT from October 2012 to August 2013. Bacar led the conduct of a rail line systems assessment and audit from October 2012 to February 2013.
Based on results of the audit, Bacar said, the maintenance contractor found that there was a need to replace new parts or train motors and upgrade the air conditioning system, signaling system and even the rails.
“The signaling system is obsolete; it’s not being produced by Bombardier (the signaling systems supplier),” Bacar said, adding that signaling is one of the crucial operating systems of a rail line.
MRT-3 Rehabilitation
The government is likewise imposing a fine of at least P27 million on the rail system’s current maintenance provider for the technical glitches that occurred during the first six months of the year that hampered the facility’s operations.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya told reporters in a press conference in Mandaluyong City on Monday that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) has lined up upgrade and rehabilitation initiatives for the MRT-3 while the government continues to work on its equity value buyout of the rail system.
Mr. Abaya said that the MRT-3 improvement projects will include the
- procurement of 48 light rail vehicles (P3.76 billion)
- train general overhauling (P1.15 billion)
- ancillary systems upgrade (P870 million)
- platform edge doors (P250 million)
- signaling system upgrade (P184.71 million)
- rail steel replacement (P119.47 million)
- communications system (P110 million)
- traction motors replacement (P94.5 million), and
- overhead catenary system (P89.62 million).
- security fence and noise barrier (P75 million),
- the upgrade of conveyance facilities (P50 million),
- the construction of a North Avenue footbridge (P13.76 million),
- weather protection cladding (P5.09 million),
- wireless Internet connectivity (P5 million),
- passenger information system (P4.88 million),
- and passenger hand straps (P2.25 million), among others.
Meanwhile, on the maintenance of MRT-3, Mr. Abaya said: “We are now currently in transition. We have requested the current, ongoing maintenance provider to remain on a month-on-month basis.”
“We are likewise shadowing them, meaning there’s a joint team from MRT-3 and LRTA (Light Rail Transit Authority) who are doing a parallel [to] what they are doing right now. So, we are better off if we decide to take over the maintenance,” he added.
Mr. Abaya explained that the MRT-3 maintenance deal of Autre Porte Technique Global, Inc. (APT Global) has been extended for a month at a cost of P57 million. But the extended contract could be terminated at the DoTC’s option anytime after two weeks from Sept. 4.
The contract was extended to give the government time to procure a new maintenance provider.
The Cabinet official added that for the first six months of the year, the DoTC fined APT Global about P27 million for glitches at the MRT-3.
“We are now in the process of reconciling the billing period in the second half,” Mr. Abaya said.
The DoTC has issued a notice of invitation to bid for the maintenance of MRT-3 at a cost of P2.2 billion, and extended the contract to three years against the current one-year arrangement.
A pre-bid conference is set for today, while the deadline for the submission of bids is on Oct. 13.
