MPIC keen on pursuing MRT-3 O&M deal

Infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) on Thursday said it is keen on pursuing a deal with the government on the operations and maintenance (O&M) of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

"One project that we're really keen to work with the government is to work on MRT-3. So I would hope that they would be open to some sort of cooperation," MPIC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan told reporters in Makati City.

MPIC first proposed the idea of investing $500 million in the rehabilitation of MRT-3 in 2011. The proposal was relayed to then-Department of Transportation and Communications.

It was rejected by the government as it would entail a fare hike.

"We're in the process of updating it, the proposal itself," Pangilinan said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is now interested in buying out Metro Rail Transit Corp. – MRT-3's private sector operator – before privatizing the mass rail system. — VDS, GMA News
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LRMC embarks on restoration program for LRT 1 vehicles

While waiting for the government to procure 120 new light rail vehicles (LRVs), Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has embarked on a P1-billion program to restore 25 LRVs to expand its current fleet from 77 (when the company took over in September 2015) to 102 at the end of last month.
“With the expanded fleet, we can implement a new train timetable increasing the number of trips on weekdays from 498 to 554 trips daily,” announced LRMC president and chief executive officer Rogelio L. Singson. “This will result to shorter queuing time and reduced headway for our passengers.”
Already, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Reynaldo Berroya and deputy administrator Felix Leyson has welcomed the proposal for the new timetable to add more trips, he disclosed.
LRMC’s restoration program included the sourcing of spare parts from the original European manufacturers of the 32-year old Generation 1 trains and the 18-year old Generation 2 trains.
“Our engineers successfully gained the confidence of European spare parts manufacturers such as Alstom, Gerkens and Knorr Bremse for the supply of electromechanical parts essential to restore the LRVs,” Singson added.“With 102 LRVs available as of May 31, we can now serve the passengers better with increased capacity and shorter waiting time.”
Following the restoration of LRVs, LRMC also embarked on body repair of 43 Gen 1 trains to further improve passenger comfort. The work included the repair of corroded exterior walls and floorings. To date, the old rail system has almost been fully replaced ahead of schedule.
LRMC is a joint venture company of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation (AC Infra), and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd. (MIHPL).