Wednesday, February 28, 2018
'Tip-up' seats on new MRT trains to allow for more passenger standing room
Two trains which will join the North-South East-West MRT fleet soon will have three new features.
Commuters will first notice their red-green livery and Land Transport Authority logo. This signifies the ownership of MRT trains under the New Rail Financing Framework, where the Government owns all rail assets.
When commuters get on board, they will notice rows of tip-up seats. The operator will tip them up (or down), depending on passenger load. If all these seats - 12 per car - are tipped up, the trains will have standing room for 100 more passengers, increasing their peak capacity by around 8 per cent.
Lastly, and not so visible to commuters, is a feature that will improve reliability. The trains are fitted with automatic alerts once any of their current collector shoes - which draw power from the third rail - is dislodged. This helps the operator fix any problem in a more timely fashion.
Twelve of 57 Kawasaki-Sifang trains will have these features. Two have arrived and will go into service in the second half of the year. The rest will arrive later, and are slated to go into service next year.
Commuters will first notice their red-green livery and Land Transport Authority logo. This signifies the ownership of MRT trains under the New Rail Financing Framework, where the Government owns all rail assets.
When commuters get on board, they will notice rows of tip-up seats. The operator will tip them up (or down), depending on passenger load. If all these seats - 12 per car - are tipped up, the trains will have standing room for 100 more passengers, increasing their peak capacity by around 8 per cent.
Lastly, and not so visible to commuters, is a feature that will improve reliability. The trains are fitted with automatic alerts once any of their current collector shoes - which draw power from the third rail - is dislodged. This helps the operator fix any problem in a more timely fashion.
Twelve of 57 Kawasaki-Sifang trains will have these features. Two have arrived and will go into service in the second half of the year. The rest will arrive later, and are slated to go into service next year.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Traffic-busting infra gets JICA support
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) yesterday vowed to continue support to the Philippines’ key transport infrastructure projects to help address the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
Under the Philippines’ Build Build Build program, JICA is supporting transport infrastructure with flagship projects such as the construction of the 38-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway for Malolos-Tutuban and the 25-km Metro Manila Subway connecting Mindanao avenue to FTI in the south and further to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, among others to further address traffic gridlock and attract more investments.
At the recently convened 36th Joint Meeting of Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committees attended by Japanese and Filipino public and private stakeholders, JICA said the economic cost of transportation in Metro Manila is P3.5 billion a and could go up to 5.4 billion a day in 2035.
The economic cost of transportation refers to the vehicle operating cost and time cost spent by drivers and passengers along with the road network in Metro Manila, not economic loss nor congestion loss, and does not reflect any assessment of specific transport policy or policy measures.
“The government’s priorities are aligned with the strategies proposed in the roadmap study. It is therefore worth noting the steps taken by the current government to pursue transport infrastructure projects that will create positive change in the life of all Filipinos,” said Susumo Ito, JICA chief representative, in commending the efforts undertaken by the current administration to accelerate the implementation of the Build, Build, Build Program, particularly for those projects currently planned and implemented under key infrastructure agencies.
The roadmap Ito was referring to is the JICA-National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) study “Follow-Up Survey on the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for the Greater Capital Region.”
Arthur Tugade, transportation secretary, earlier said 2018 is the year for railways as five major railway lines will start or continue construction this year.
From only 72 km of railways, the Philippines will build at least 1,500 to 1,900 km of railways during this administration.
These projects include PNR Clark, PNR Bicol, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Metro Manila Subway, Metro Rail Transit line 7 (MRT7) as well as a common station for the three-rail system in Metro Manila.
The first week of 2018 marked the commencement of works for PNR Clark. The line stretches from Tutuban to Malolos in Bulacan and ends in Clark, Pampanga.
PNR Bicol is also set for construction in the third quarter of the year.
Phase 1 is the PNR South Commuter which will connect Metro Manila to Los Banos, Laguna while Phase 2 goes all the way to Matnog, Sorsogon.
Metro Manila Subway is also set for groundbreaking in the fourth quarter.
“(Metro Manila Subway) will have a partial operation by 2021, covering three stations, depot, and the training center. Once completed by 2025, the subway will start from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City leading up to NAIA.” Tugade said.
Apart from these lines, the common station in Quezon City shall also begin construction this year after eight years of delay.
The common station will connect the four major rail systems in the metro, MRT 3, LRT-1, MRT7, and the Metro Manila Subway.
It started during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and had stalled during the entire presidency of Benigno Aquino III, during which the legal row erupted due to its decision to transfer the station’s location.
The government, through then DOTC and LRTA signed an agreement with SM Prime Holdings in 2009 for the construction of the common station in front of its North EDSA mall. SM has also secured naming rights to the common station for P200 million.
The location of the project was changed in May 2013, under then Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.
On November 21, 2013, then-President Aquino III and his Cabinet approved seven infrastructure projects worth more than P100 billion, including the construction of a common station that would link Metro Manila’s two overhead train services near the TriNoma mall in Quezon City.
The Common Station at the TriNoma will connect the LRT-1, MRT-3, and the future MRT-7 line. The project will also involve the construction of head-to-head platforms for LRT 1 and MRT 3 with a 147.4-meter elevated “walkalator” to MRT 7 on North Avenue.
He decided to make the common station part of the P65-billion LRT 1 extension project of the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) – a consortium made up of Ayala Corp., Manuel V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investments Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings.
The transportation department then insisted on locating the common station near TriNoma, saying this would save the government P1.4 billion.
SM later sued the government for an alleged breach of the 2009 contract, and the Supreme Court issued a stay order in June 2014 stopping the award of the contract to the winning bidder for the construction of the common station in front of Trinoma owned by Ayala Corp.
Given the importance of the project, Abaya pushed for a compromise and even suggested two small common stations — one each in The Annex at SM City North EDSA and in Trinoma. The decision on the project hung for the remainder of the Aquino III administration.
The current site, between The Annex at SM City North EDSA and Ayala Land Inc.’s Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, was agreed upon by all parties last January after months of negotiations with the Department of Transportation under President Duterte.
At the joint meeting, Ito shared in his presentation the preliminary results of the follow-up study. The final result of said study has yet to be approved by the relevant process of the Philippine government.
Under the Philippines’ Build Build Build program, JICA is supporting transport infrastructure with flagship projects such as the construction of the 38-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway for Malolos-Tutuban and the 25-km Metro Manila Subway connecting Mindanao avenue to FTI in the south and further to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, among others to further address traffic gridlock and attract more investments.
At the recently convened 36th Joint Meeting of Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committees attended by Japanese and Filipino public and private stakeholders, JICA said the economic cost of transportation in Metro Manila is P3.5 billion a and could go up to 5.4 billion a day in 2035.
The economic cost of transportation refers to the vehicle operating cost and time cost spent by drivers and passengers along with the road network in Metro Manila, not economic loss nor congestion loss, and does not reflect any assessment of specific transport policy or policy measures.
“The government’s priorities are aligned with the strategies proposed in the roadmap study. It is therefore worth noting the steps taken by the current government to pursue transport infrastructure projects that will create positive change in the life of all Filipinos,” said Susumo Ito, JICA chief representative, in commending the efforts undertaken by the current administration to accelerate the implementation of the Build, Build, Build Program, particularly for those projects currently planned and implemented under key infrastructure agencies.
The roadmap Ito was referring to is the JICA-National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) study “Follow-Up Survey on the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for the Greater Capital Region.”
Arthur Tugade, transportation secretary, earlier said 2018 is the year for railways as five major railway lines will start or continue construction this year.
From only 72 km of railways, the Philippines will build at least 1,500 to 1,900 km of railways during this administration.
These projects include PNR Clark, PNR Bicol, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Metro Manila Subway, Metro Rail Transit line 7 (MRT7) as well as a common station for the three-rail system in Metro Manila.
The first week of 2018 marked the commencement of works for PNR Clark. The line stretches from Tutuban to Malolos in Bulacan and ends in Clark, Pampanga.
PNR Bicol is also set for construction in the third quarter of the year.
Phase 1 is the PNR South Commuter which will connect Metro Manila to Los Banos, Laguna while Phase 2 goes all the way to Matnog, Sorsogon.
Metro Manila Subway is also set for groundbreaking in the fourth quarter.
“(Metro Manila Subway) will have a partial operation by 2021, covering three stations, depot, and the training center. Once completed by 2025, the subway will start from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City leading up to NAIA.” Tugade said.
Apart from these lines, the common station in Quezon City shall also begin construction this year after eight years of delay.
The common station will connect the four major rail systems in the metro, MRT 3, LRT-1, MRT7, and the Metro Manila Subway.
It started during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and had stalled during the entire presidency of Benigno Aquino III, during which the legal row erupted due to its decision to transfer the station’s location.
The government, through then DOTC and LRTA signed an agreement with SM Prime Holdings in 2009 for the construction of the common station in front of its North EDSA mall. SM has also secured naming rights to the common station for P200 million.
The location of the project was changed in May 2013, under then Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.
On November 21, 2013, then-President Aquino III and his Cabinet approved seven infrastructure projects worth more than P100 billion, including the construction of a common station that would link Metro Manila’s two overhead train services near the TriNoma mall in Quezon City.
The Common Station at the TriNoma will connect the LRT-1, MRT-3, and the future MRT-7 line. The project will also involve the construction of head-to-head platforms for LRT 1 and MRT 3 with a 147.4-meter elevated “walkalator” to MRT 7 on North Avenue.
He decided to make the common station part of the P65-billion LRT 1 extension project of the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) – a consortium made up of Ayala Corp., Manuel V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investments Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings.
The transportation department then insisted on locating the common station near TriNoma, saying this would save the government P1.4 billion.
SM later sued the government for an alleged breach of the 2009 contract, and the Supreme Court issued a stay order in June 2014 stopping the award of the contract to the winning bidder for the construction of the common station in front of Trinoma owned by Ayala Corp.
Given the importance of the project, Abaya pushed for a compromise and even suggested two small common stations — one each in The Annex at SM City North EDSA and in Trinoma. The decision on the project hung for the remainder of the Aquino III administration.
The current site, between The Annex at SM City North EDSA and Ayala Land Inc.’s Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, was agreed upon by all parties last January after months of negotiations with the Department of Transportation under President Duterte.
At the joint meeting, Ito shared in his presentation the preliminary results of the follow-up study. The final result of said study has yet to be approved by the relevant process of the Philippine government.
Audit on Dalian trains to conclude March 10
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects the audit on the 48 trains delivered from Dalian CCRC for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) to be completed by March 10.
The audit of the independent audit and assessment (IAA) consultant TUV Rheinland would be vital in determining whether the Dalian trains can be used for the MRT system.
“Ang sinasabi nila ay they will be able to finish it by March 10. Using that expert opinion audit report, then we can rightfully say ito ba talaga ang problema? Will Dalian be able to operate? We don’t know. (They told us that they will be able to finish it by March 10. Using that expert opinion audit report, then we can rightfully say is this really the problem? Will Dalian be able to operate? We don’t know),” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a television interview Monday.
Last January, the DOTr has completed the procurement of an IAA Consultant that will evaluate and make recommendations on what to do with the 48 Dalian cars or Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) in addition to evaluating and making recommendations for other components of MRT-3.
Concerns were raised earlier with the 48 LRVs procured by the previous administration for PHP3.8 billion after they exceeded the weight prescribed in the Terms of Reference (49,700-kg vs. 46,300-kg). Compatibility with the MRT-3’s maintenance facilities and signaling system were also an issue.
With the current fleet of Czech-made trains, MRT-3 can operate up to 20 3-car trains.
If the 48 LRVs are cleared to run, that can be increased to 20 4-car trains.
Tugade also said that MRT operations is expected to improve by April or May as spare parts which are necessary for the increase in the number of running trains are set to arrive in the country.
“Madadagdagan ang tren na tumatakbo, mababawasan ang mga glitches. (There will be more trains, glitches will be lessened). If spare parts are there, this will lead to improvement,” according to the transportation secretary.
A Special Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) created by the DOTr has completed the procurement of spare parts last December with a delivery lead time of 30 to 90 days.
The initial batch of parts has started arriving this month.
The DOTr has also signed an agreement with Canadian firm Bombardier Transportation for the procurement of spare parts for the signaling system of the MRT-3.
The repair of the MRT system is expected to cost around PHP400 million and last for six months.
Tugade likewise said he prefers that the operations and maintenance of the railway system be done by the private sector as the department seeks to finish the deliberations on the MRT takeover within this year.
The DOTr has granted the original proponent status to Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) for MRT’s rehabilitation, operations and maintenance.
The firm’s proposal has been submitted to the National Economic Development Authority and will undergo Swiss Challenge once it is approved providing an opportunity for other companies to make competing offers while giving the original proponent to match them.
“Ang plano they will take everything: management, operations and equity. Kapag nabigay po natin ang gobyerno wala pribado lang maganda yun. Basta regular ang pasok ng revenue takes sa gobyerno through royalties or fees. (The plan is they will take everything: management, operations and equity. It is good if the private sector will take over. As long as the government will be able to receive revenues regularly through royalties or fees),” Tugade said.
Under its proposal, MPIC will rehabilitate the train systems of the MRT and take over its operations for a period of 32 years.
It is likewise eyeing to buy out the government’s stake in the railway system held by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines as well as other shareholders.
The rehabilitation, operations and maintenance would be pursued through a separate special purpose vehicle similar to the Light Rail Manila Corporation which operates the Light Rail Transit Line 1. (PNA)
The audit of the independent audit and assessment (IAA) consultant TUV Rheinland would be vital in determining whether the Dalian trains can be used for the MRT system.
“Ang sinasabi nila ay they will be able to finish it by March 10. Using that expert opinion audit report, then we can rightfully say ito ba talaga ang problema? Will Dalian be able to operate? We don’t know. (They told us that they will be able to finish it by March 10. Using that expert opinion audit report, then we can rightfully say is this really the problem? Will Dalian be able to operate? We don’t know),” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a television interview Monday.
Last January, the DOTr has completed the procurement of an IAA Consultant that will evaluate and make recommendations on what to do with the 48 Dalian cars or Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) in addition to evaluating and making recommendations for other components of MRT-3.
Concerns were raised earlier with the 48 LRVs procured by the previous administration for PHP3.8 billion after they exceeded the weight prescribed in the Terms of Reference (49,700-kg vs. 46,300-kg). Compatibility with the MRT-3’s maintenance facilities and signaling system were also an issue.
With the current fleet of Czech-made trains, MRT-3 can operate up to 20 3-car trains.
If the 48 LRVs are cleared to run, that can be increased to 20 4-car trains.
Tugade also said that MRT operations is expected to improve by April or May as spare parts which are necessary for the increase in the number of running trains are set to arrive in the country.
“Madadagdagan ang tren na tumatakbo, mababawasan ang mga glitches. (There will be more trains, glitches will be lessened). If spare parts are there, this will lead to improvement,” according to the transportation secretary.
A Special Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) created by the DOTr has completed the procurement of spare parts last December with a delivery lead time of 30 to 90 days.
The initial batch of parts has started arriving this month.
The DOTr has also signed an agreement with Canadian firm Bombardier Transportation for the procurement of spare parts for the signaling system of the MRT-3.
The repair of the MRT system is expected to cost around PHP400 million and last for six months.
Tugade likewise said he prefers that the operations and maintenance of the railway system be done by the private sector as the department seeks to finish the deliberations on the MRT takeover within this year.
The DOTr has granted the original proponent status to Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) for MRT’s rehabilitation, operations and maintenance.
The firm’s proposal has been submitted to the National Economic Development Authority and will undergo Swiss Challenge once it is approved providing an opportunity for other companies to make competing offers while giving the original proponent to match them.
“Ang plano they will take everything: management, operations and equity. Kapag nabigay po natin ang gobyerno wala pribado lang maganda yun. Basta regular ang pasok ng revenue takes sa gobyerno through royalties or fees. (The plan is they will take everything: management, operations and equity. It is good if the private sector will take over. As long as the government will be able to receive revenues regularly through royalties or fees),” Tugade said.
Under its proposal, MPIC will rehabilitate the train systems of the MRT and take over its operations for a period of 32 years.
It is likewise eyeing to buy out the government’s stake in the railway system held by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines as well as other shareholders.
The rehabilitation, operations and maintenance would be pursued through a separate special purpose vehicle similar to the Light Rail Manila Corporation which operates the Light Rail Transit Line 1. (PNA)
DOTr eyes opening three subway stations by 2020
Three stations for the planned Mega Manila Subway are expected to be operating by 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Monday.
The three stations are North Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, and Tandang Sora in Quezon City.
"[The Japan International Cooperation Agency] says in three years, operable iyan (it will be operable)," DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade told CNN Philippines' The Source. "I'm still hoping I can reduce it to two and a half years so... we will experience the joy and comfort of riding a subway."
Tugade added groundbreaking for the project is set by the end of 2018, a year ahead of schedule.
"Ibig sabihin, mag-uumpisa ho yung trabaho ng konstruksyon sa tatlong estasyon na magiging partially operable," Tugade said.
[Translation: This means we can start construction for three stations to be partially operable.]
The Mega Manila Subway is a 25-kilometer underground railway which is expected to carry 370,000 passengers a day.
It is expected to cover 13 stations from Mindanao Avenue to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. Proposed stops for the subway in 2017 did not include Tandang Sora.
The P227 billion project is part of President Rodrigo Duterte's Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. It is expected to be completed by 2025.
Plans for the new railway system come amid faltering services of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line, where an average of two glitches a day were reported in 2017.
Tugade pegged better MRT services by "April or May," upon the arrival of spare parts.
He added that he hopes Sumitomo Corporation and its technical partner, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, would return as a maintenance provider by the summer.
Tugade did not comment on the controversial P3.8 billion-worth Dalian trains, which have not been used amid concerns they were too heavy or not compatible with the MRT. A consultant told the Senate this month that the trains were within the allowable weight range.
The secretary said he would wait for a final quality audit report by international certification body TÜV Rheinland before determining whether the government would put the trains to use.
The three stations are North Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, and Tandang Sora in Quezon City.
"[The Japan International Cooperation Agency] says in three years, operable iyan (it will be operable)," DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade told CNN Philippines' The Source. "I'm still hoping I can reduce it to two and a half years so... we will experience the joy and comfort of riding a subway."
Tugade added groundbreaking for the project is set by the end of 2018, a year ahead of schedule.
"Ibig sabihin, mag-uumpisa ho yung trabaho ng konstruksyon sa tatlong estasyon na magiging partially operable," Tugade said.
[Translation: This means we can start construction for three stations to be partially operable.]
The Mega Manila Subway is a 25-kilometer underground railway which is expected to carry 370,000 passengers a day.
It is expected to cover 13 stations from Mindanao Avenue to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. Proposed stops for the subway in 2017 did not include Tandang Sora.
The P227 billion project is part of President Rodrigo Duterte's Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. It is expected to be completed by 2025.
Plans for the new railway system come amid faltering services of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line, where an average of two glitches a day were reported in 2017.
Tugade pegged better MRT services by "April or May," upon the arrival of spare parts.
He added that he hopes Sumitomo Corporation and its technical partner, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, would return as a maintenance provider by the summer.
Tugade did not comment on the controversial P3.8 billion-worth Dalian trains, which have not been used amid concerns they were too heavy or not compatible with the MRT. A consultant told the Senate this month that the trains were within the allowable weight range.
The secretary said he would wait for a final quality audit report by international certification body TÜV Rheinland before determining whether the government would put the trains to use.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Ghaziabad authority seeks revised project reports on two Metro links
The DPR for the two extensions was submitted by from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the combined cost was pegged at Rs 3,711 crore.
The authority, after a review, has sought amendments and has asked the DMRC to submit a revised report within a week
The officials said the TOD zones, proposed either side of the 9.41km Metro route, has not attracted any major projects so far.
The Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) has sought some changes in the detailed project report (DPR) which was recently submitted for the two newly proposed corridors — Noida Sector 62 to Sahibabad and Vaishali to Mohan Nagar.
The DPR for the two extensions was submitted by from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the combined cost was pegged at ₹3,711 crore. The authority, after a review, has sought amendments and has asked the DMRC to submit a revised report within a week.
According to officials, the DPR states that the land requirement for the Vaishali to Mohan Nagar route is 7.9 hectares, while that for the Sector 62 to Sahibabad route is 1.9 hectares. The officials said that the DPR is silent on the points where the land is required and the circle rates thereof.
“We have asked the DMRC to add the changes to the DPR and submit the revised ones within a week. Once they submit the revised DPR, it will be sent to the state government for approval,” SS Verma, superintending engineer, GDA, said.
The DPR has stated that the funding of the two extensions will be on the lines of other projects taken up in Noida,
Gurgaon, Faridabad and Bahadurgarh.
“However, the funding pattern of the cities is not clearly mentioned. This is one of the point on which we have sought a revision,” Verma said.
Besides that, the authority has also said the financial condition of the GDA and its cash flow was not taken into account. They said the income proposed from the transit oriented development (TOD) zones along the two Metro extensions is not specified in the DPR.
The officials said the TOD zones, proposed over 500 metres on either side of the alignment of 9.41km Metro route, has not attracted any major projects so far.
Under the TOD zones, which is demarcated near the high-speed commuting systems, the authorities provide for mixed land use where commercial and residential establishments can come up. These zones are also meant to generate income.
The officials are also wary as one side of the Vaishali to Mohan Nagar line has Sahibabad Site 4 Industrial Area and the authority cannot distribute extra floor area ratio here to generate more income.
The authority, after a review, has sought amendments and has asked the DMRC to submit a revised report within a week
The officials said the TOD zones, proposed either side of the 9.41km Metro route, has not attracted any major projects so far.
The Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) has sought some changes in the detailed project report (DPR) which was recently submitted for the two newly proposed corridors — Noida Sector 62 to Sahibabad and Vaishali to Mohan Nagar.
The DPR for the two extensions was submitted by from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the combined cost was pegged at ₹3,711 crore. The authority, after a review, has sought amendments and has asked the DMRC to submit a revised report within a week.
According to officials, the DPR states that the land requirement for the Vaishali to Mohan Nagar route is 7.9 hectares, while that for the Sector 62 to Sahibabad route is 1.9 hectares. The officials said that the DPR is silent on the points where the land is required and the circle rates thereof.
“We have asked the DMRC to add the changes to the DPR and submit the revised ones within a week. Once they submit the revised DPR, it will be sent to the state government for approval,” SS Verma, superintending engineer, GDA, said.
The DPR has stated that the funding of the two extensions will be on the lines of other projects taken up in Noida,
Gurgaon, Faridabad and Bahadurgarh.
“However, the funding pattern of the cities is not clearly mentioned. This is one of the point on which we have sought a revision,” Verma said.
Besides that, the authority has also said the financial condition of the GDA and its cash flow was not taken into account. They said the income proposed from the transit oriented development (TOD) zones along the two Metro extensions is not specified in the DPR.
The officials said the TOD zones, proposed over 500 metres on either side of the alignment of 9.41km Metro route, has not attracted any major projects so far.
Under the TOD zones, which is demarcated near the high-speed commuting systems, the authorities provide for mixed land use where commercial and residential establishments can come up. These zones are also meant to generate income.
The officials are also wary as one side of the Vaishali to Mohan Nagar line has Sahibabad Site 4 Industrial Area and the authority cannot distribute extra floor area ratio here to generate more income.
Bombardier Delivers Final Trainset to Delhi Metro for 162 Coach Order
Last Wednesday, Bombardier Transportation in a low-key event celebrated the roll-out of their final 8-coach MOVIA train-set for the 230 km Delhi Metro system at their plant in Savli, Gujarat.
The train was produced as part of a 162 coach order (contract RS-11) which along with an order for 96 coaches to BEML (contract RS-13) were placed by the DMRC in 2015 to add 17 new 8-coach trains to the Yellow & Blue lines, convert 42 existing 6-coach trains into 8-coach trains on the Yellow and Blue lines, and convert 19 existing 4-coach trains into 6-coach trains on the Red Line.
News about the trainset’s delivery was announced on LinkedIn by Bombardier’s HR Partner Mukesh Gupta –
Bombardier India Proud to share his achievement.We have committed and we deliver our last Train of RS11 Project to our client before time (i.e; on 14th Feb). Delhi PI Team worked day & night to make sure we achieve our target. Big Thanks to Project Director (Nelson T) for his contribution and leadership. Proud at Bombardier. Cheers!
Contract RS-11 was awarded to Bombardier in June 2015 with a value of Rs. 1497.98 crores. The first train was delivered in September 2016 and this final trainset has been delivered on schedule, exactly in “early-2018” as originally planned.
The train was produced as part of a 162 coach order (contract RS-11) which along with an order for 96 coaches to BEML (contract RS-13) were placed by the DMRC in 2015 to add 17 new 8-coach trains to the Yellow & Blue lines, convert 42 existing 6-coach trains into 8-coach trains on the Yellow and Blue lines, and convert 19 existing 4-coach trains into 6-coach trains on the Red Line.
News about the trainset’s delivery was announced on LinkedIn by Bombardier’s HR Partner Mukesh Gupta –
Bombardier India Proud to share his achievement.We have committed and we deliver our last Train of RS11 Project to our client before time (i.e; on 14th Feb). Delhi PI Team worked day & night to make sure we achieve our target. Big Thanks to Project Director (Nelson T) for his contribution and leadership. Proud at Bombardier. Cheers!
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Photo Copyright: Mukesh Gupta
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Contract RS-11 was awarded to Bombardier in June 2015 with a value of Rs. 1497.98 crores. The first train was delivered in September 2016 and this final trainset has been delivered on schedule, exactly in “early-2018” as originally planned.
With this development, Bombardier has now fulfilled 4 major rolling stock orders for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, and at 776 coaches the DMRC now operates one of the largest Bombardier fleets in the world.
Here’s a list of all orders along with the order month & year –
• RS-2: 340 (July 2007) + option of additional 84 (March 2008)
• RS-5: 74 (June 2010) + option of additional 40 (July 2010)
• RS-7: 76 (September 2011)
• RS-11: 162 (June 2015)
Total= 776 Coaches
Bombardier’s website has an excellent fact-sheet on Delhi Metro’s MOVIA trains and contains a schematic, train specifications, performance and technical characteristics.
GMA News: ADVISORY: Traffic rerouting, road closures for MRT7 construction
Some roads in Quezon City will be temporarily closed starting Monday evening to give way to the construction activites for the Metro Rail Transit Line 7.
In an advisory on Saturday, the MRT7 Traffic Management Task Force announced that the southbound and northbound lanes of Regalado Extension, from Bristol St. to Commonwealth Ave., shall be closed starting 11 p.m. of February 26 (Monday) until 5 a.m. of February 27 (Tuesday).
Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes:
For vehicles going toward the Quezon Memorial Circle, motorists are advised to take Quirino Highway and Commonwealth Avenue or take Belfast Street and Mindanao Ave.
Vehicles going toward San Jose del Monte shall take Mindanao Ave. and Regalado Ave.
"The affected lanes will be reopened by 5 a.m. of February 27," the MRT7 Traffic Management Task Force said. — Ted Cordero/MDM, GMA News
In an advisory on Saturday, the MRT7 Traffic Management Task Force announced that the southbound and northbound lanes of Regalado Extension, from Bristol St. to Commonwealth Ave., shall be closed starting 11 p.m. of February 26 (Monday) until 5 a.m. of February 27 (Tuesday).
Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes:
For vehicles going toward the Quezon Memorial Circle, motorists are advised to take Quirino Highway and Commonwealth Avenue or take Belfast Street and Mindanao Ave.
Vehicles going toward San Jose del Monte shall take Mindanao Ave. and Regalado Ave.
"The affected lanes will be reopened by 5 a.m. of February 27," the MRT7 Traffic Management Task Force said. — Ted Cordero/MDM, GMA News
Friday, February 23, 2018
LRT-1 operator taps Austrian engineering experts
The operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) has entered into a P450 million agreement with engineering and industrial company Voith Digital Solutions Austria GmBH and Co KG to rehabilitate and upgrade the railway’s generation-2 trains.
In a statement, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) president and chief executive officer Juan Alfonso said Voith would re-engineer 24 generation-2 light rail vehicles (LRVs) over the next two years from six train sets under the agreement.
Through the project, the generation-2 LRVs will undergo rehabilitation for the first time.
The government bought the generation-2 trains from Hyundai and Adtranz Sweden in 1999.
“The rehabilitation of the 24 LRVs will expand capacity which should result in faster travel time because of reduced train headway and queueing time,” Alfonso said.
“This is another step that will significantly improve our passengers’ daily commute,” he said.
LRT-1 has a fleet which includes generation-1 LRVs bought in 1984, generation-2 LRVs bought in 1999, and generation-3 LRVs bought in 2007.
Earlier, the LRMC has completed the P1 billion rehabilitation program on generation-1 LRVs.
Following the rehabilitation of the generation-1 trains, the LRT-1’s fleet increased to 109 LRVs from 77, as well as the number of trips to 554 from 498.
LRMC also reduced the interval between trains and queueing time.
Last month, the Department of Transportation signed the procurement of 120 new LRVs for the LRT-1.
The new trains are expected to be delivered in 2020.
LRMC, composed of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd., took over the operations and maintenance of the LRT-1 in September 2015 as it bagged the contract to operate, maintain and extend the train line to Cavite.
The consortium broke ground on the LRT-1 Cavite extension in May last year.
In a statement, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) president and chief executive officer Juan Alfonso said Voith would re-engineer 24 generation-2 light rail vehicles (LRVs) over the next two years from six train sets under the agreement.
Through the project, the generation-2 LRVs will undergo rehabilitation for the first time.
The government bought the generation-2 trains from Hyundai and Adtranz Sweden in 1999.
“The rehabilitation of the 24 LRVs will expand capacity which should result in faster travel time because of reduced train headway and queueing time,” Alfonso said.
“This is another step that will significantly improve our passengers’ daily commute,” he said.
LRT-1 has a fleet which includes generation-1 LRVs bought in 1984, generation-2 LRVs bought in 1999, and generation-3 LRVs bought in 2007.
Earlier, the LRMC has completed the P1 billion rehabilitation program on generation-1 LRVs.
Following the rehabilitation of the generation-1 trains, the LRT-1’s fleet increased to 109 LRVs from 77, as well as the number of trips to 554 from 498.
LRMC also reduced the interval between trains and queueing time.
Last month, the Department of Transportation signed the procurement of 120 new LRVs for the LRT-1.
The new trains are expected to be delivered in 2020.
LRMC, composed of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd., took over the operations and maintenance of the LRT-1 in September 2015 as it bagged the contract to operate, maintain and extend the train line to Cavite.
The consortium broke ground on the LRT-1 Cavite extension in May last year.
LRMC inks P450-M deal on rehab of LRT-1 trains
Rail operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has signed a PHP450 million deal with international engineering and industrial company Voith Digital Solutions Austria GmBH and Co KG for the rehabilitation and upgrade of second generation trains of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1).
Voith will be repairing 24 generation 2 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the next two years.
“The rehabilitation of the 24 LRVs will expand capacity which should result in faster travel time because of reduced train headway and queueing time. This is another step that will significantly improve our passengers’ daily commute,” LRMC president and chief executive officer Juan Alfonso said in a statement Thursday.
The project will be the first overhaul of the Generation 2 fleet’s propulsion system since the government bought the generation-2 trains from Hyundai and Adtranz Sweden in 1999.
Last December, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has signed the procurement of 120 new LRVs for delivery in 2020.
LRMC has recently completed the PHP1-billion rehabilitation on Generation 1 LRVs increasing the railway’s fleet from 77 to 109 LRVs and the number of daily trips from 498 to 554 resulting to reduction of the interval between running trains and queueing time.
The current fleet of LRT-1 includes 51 generation-1 LRVs bought in 1984, eight generation-2 LRVs bought in 1999, and 44 generation-3 LRVs bought in 2007.
Voith will be repairing 24 generation 2 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the next two years.
“The rehabilitation of the 24 LRVs will expand capacity which should result in faster travel time because of reduced train headway and queueing time. This is another step that will significantly improve our passengers’ daily commute,” LRMC president and chief executive officer Juan Alfonso said in a statement Thursday.
The project will be the first overhaul of the Generation 2 fleet’s propulsion system since the government bought the generation-2 trains from Hyundai and Adtranz Sweden in 1999.
Last December, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has signed the procurement of 120 new LRVs for delivery in 2020.
LRMC has recently completed the PHP1-billion rehabilitation on Generation 1 LRVs increasing the railway’s fleet from 77 to 109 LRVs and the number of daily trips from 498 to 554 resulting to reduction of the interval between running trains and queueing time.
The current fleet of LRT-1 includes 51 generation-1 LRVs bought in 1984, eight generation-2 LRVs bought in 1999, and 44 generation-3 LRVs bought in 2007.
Subway expected to reduce economic cost of traffic — JICA
By Melissa Luz T. Lopez, Senior Reporter
CONSTRUCTION of the Philippines’ first subway line is expected to start later this year, with authorities hoping to alleviate Manila’s road congestion, which is estimated by Japan’s aid agency to cost the economy P3.5 billion daily.
Susumu Ito, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Philippines, made the estimate, which is substantially higher than the P2.4 billion daily given by a 2014 study. Metro Manila’s population is about 13 million.
“As you can see, the traffic cost is P3.5 billion a day in Metro Manila. If we do nothing, it will become P5.4 billion a day in 2035, but with Build, Build, Build, it can be reduced to P3 billion a day,” Mr. Ito said during the 36th Annual Joint Meeting of the Philippines-Japan Economic Coordinating Committee held yesterday at the New World Hotel in Makati City.
“JICA is supporting the Build, Build, Build program fully. It is a must.”
Based on JICA estimates, road usage in Metro Manila was 13.4 million trips per day in 2017. Without any infrastructure interventions, this will rise to 16.1 million daily trips by 2035, which will come with a cost to the economy of P5.4 billion.
Mr. Ito also pointed out road congestion issues in the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite, and a Mega Manila population estimate of which over 38 million people by 2035.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said the government wants to fast-track the rollout of the Metro Manila Subway Project, which will be funded through official development assistance from Japan.
Mr. Pernia said the government wants to break ground for the 25-kilometer railway by the third quarter with partial operations up by late 2021 or 2022, following the Japan-Philippines meeting held Feb. 12 in Cebu.
However, JICA’s Mr. Ito said authorities are “still discussing” project timelines, with the two nations hoping to sign the first tranche of the loan deal next month.
The subway line runs from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the site of the former Food Terminal, Inc. in Taguig City. Mr. Ito said completion is targeted by 2025.
Mr. Pernia said the government will be staging a job fair in the Middle East within the quarter to attract Filipino technical workers home to boost the labor pool for infrastructure projects.
“What we’re planning — in fact it is already scheduled — is we will hold a job fair in the Middle East so that we can attract back our skilled technical workers to come back and work here,” Mr. Pernia said during his keynote speech.
“We’ll make sure that the salary differential between what they are getting in overseas workplaces and here is minimal or maybe even much (more than) whatever they’re getting.”
Pressed further, Mr. Pernia said the job fair will likely be held by “late March.”
Mr. Pernia said the government will be spending P8.13 trillion for 75 big-ticket infrastructure projects until 2022, which are expected to improve mass transport and inter-island connectivity.
Separately, President Rodrigo R. Duterte promised that Japan’s projects in the Philippines will be free from red tape, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said.
“[The President] pledged his commitment to ensure that Japan projects will receive attention and will be free from bureaucratic delays whether the projects are government-to-government or business-to-business,” Mr. Roque said in a televised press briefing at Sara Municipal Hall in Iloilo on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Mr. Duterte met with Philippine and Japanese conglomerates at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.
At the meeting, according to Mr. Roque, “the President thanked Japan for its wholehearted support for his government programs, and for the humanitarian assistance it has extended to the Filipino people.”
In a statement from the Presidential Communications Office sent late Wednesday, the Palace said Mr. Duterte likewise met with the “representatives of the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation (PHILJEC) to tackle infrastructure programs.”
According to the Palace, “PHILJEC aims to promote, strengthen and expand trade, economic, scientific technological advancements, exchange assistance to business endeavors in both the Philippines and Japan.”
“It was designed to be a forum for private sector dialogue and the exchange of ideas geared towards the enhancement of Philippines-Japan relations.”
Moreover, in their meeting with the President, the Philippine conglomerates “discussed competitiveness and macroeconomic fundamentals, infrastructure and innovation matters,” the Palace said.
Present during the meeting were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Marubeni Corp. Chairman Teruo Asada, Mitsubishi Corp. Chairman Ken Kobayashi, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) International Division Manager Masazumi Nishizawa, and Japan Airlines Chairman Masaru Onishi.
Also present were JCCI Secretary General Hidekazu Oshita, PHILJEC outgoing Chairman Aniceto Saludo, PHILJEC incoming Chairman Gerard Sanvictores, ANA Holdings Senior Vice-President Koji Shibata, and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines (JCCIPI) President Hiroshi Shiraishi.
Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea joined Mr. Duterte during the meeting. — with Arjay L. Balinbin
CONSTRUCTION of the Philippines’ first subway line is expected to start later this year, with authorities hoping to alleviate Manila’s road congestion, which is estimated by Japan’s aid agency to cost the economy P3.5 billion daily.
Susumu Ito, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Philippines, made the estimate, which is substantially higher than the P2.4 billion daily given by a 2014 study. Metro Manila’s population is about 13 million.
“As you can see, the traffic cost is P3.5 billion a day in Metro Manila. If we do nothing, it will become P5.4 billion a day in 2035, but with Build, Build, Build, it can be reduced to P3 billion a day,” Mr. Ito said during the 36th Annual Joint Meeting of the Philippines-Japan Economic Coordinating Committee held yesterday at the New World Hotel in Makati City.
“JICA is supporting the Build, Build, Build program fully. It is a must.”
Based on JICA estimates, road usage in Metro Manila was 13.4 million trips per day in 2017. Without any infrastructure interventions, this will rise to 16.1 million daily trips by 2035, which will come with a cost to the economy of P5.4 billion.
Mr. Ito also pointed out road congestion issues in the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite, and a Mega Manila population estimate of which over 38 million people by 2035.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said the government wants to fast-track the rollout of the Metro Manila Subway Project, which will be funded through official development assistance from Japan.
Mr. Pernia said the government wants to break ground for the 25-kilometer railway by the third quarter with partial operations up by late 2021 or 2022, following the Japan-Philippines meeting held Feb. 12 in Cebu.
However, JICA’s Mr. Ito said authorities are “still discussing” project timelines, with the two nations hoping to sign the first tranche of the loan deal next month.
The subway line runs from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the site of the former Food Terminal, Inc. in Taguig City. Mr. Ito said completion is targeted by 2025.
Mr. Pernia said the government will be staging a job fair in the Middle East within the quarter to attract Filipino technical workers home to boost the labor pool for infrastructure projects.
“What we’re planning — in fact it is already scheduled — is we will hold a job fair in the Middle East so that we can attract back our skilled technical workers to come back and work here,” Mr. Pernia said during his keynote speech.
“We’ll make sure that the salary differential between what they are getting in overseas workplaces and here is minimal or maybe even much (more than) whatever they’re getting.”
Pressed further, Mr. Pernia said the job fair will likely be held by “late March.”
Mr. Pernia said the government will be spending P8.13 trillion for 75 big-ticket infrastructure projects until 2022, which are expected to improve mass transport and inter-island connectivity.
Separately, President Rodrigo R. Duterte promised that Japan’s projects in the Philippines will be free from red tape, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said.
“[The President] pledged his commitment to ensure that Japan projects will receive attention and will be free from bureaucratic delays whether the projects are government-to-government or business-to-business,” Mr. Roque said in a televised press briefing at Sara Municipal Hall in Iloilo on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Mr. Duterte met with Philippine and Japanese conglomerates at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.
At the meeting, according to Mr. Roque, “the President thanked Japan for its wholehearted support for his government programs, and for the humanitarian assistance it has extended to the Filipino people.”
In a statement from the Presidential Communications Office sent late Wednesday, the Palace said Mr. Duterte likewise met with the “representatives of the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation (PHILJEC) to tackle infrastructure programs.”
According to the Palace, “PHILJEC aims to promote, strengthen and expand trade, economic, scientific technological advancements, exchange assistance to business endeavors in both the Philippines and Japan.”
“It was designed to be a forum for private sector dialogue and the exchange of ideas geared towards the enhancement of Philippines-Japan relations.”
Moreover, in their meeting with the President, the Philippine conglomerates “discussed competitiveness and macroeconomic fundamentals, infrastructure and innovation matters,” the Palace said.
Present during the meeting were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Marubeni Corp. Chairman Teruo Asada, Mitsubishi Corp. Chairman Ken Kobayashi, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) International Division Manager Masazumi Nishizawa, and Japan Airlines Chairman Masaru Onishi.
Also present were JCCI Secretary General Hidekazu Oshita, PHILJEC outgoing Chairman Aniceto Saludo, PHILJEC incoming Chairman Gerard Sanvictores, ANA Holdings Senior Vice-President Koji Shibata, and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines (JCCIPI) President Hiroshi Shiraishi.
Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea joined Mr. Duterte during the meeting. — with Arjay L. Balinbin
Thursday, February 15, 2018
LRT-1 Cavite extension to begin construction by mid-2018
The P64-billion LRT-1 Cavite extension is set to begin by mid-2018.
The Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Juan Alfonso said the delay in construction is caused by the need to address right-of-way issues.
“We still have things that we’re trying to iron out in our right or way,” Alfonso said.
“It’s really clearing the path for actual construction, whether its residence or utility lines,” he added.
The LRT-1 Cavite extension will connect Baclaran to Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, and the City of Bacoor.
The project is expected to be completed by 2021.
The Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Juan Alfonso said the delay in construction is caused by the need to address right-of-way issues.
“We still have things that we’re trying to iron out in our right or way,” Alfonso said.
“It’s really clearing the path for actual construction, whether its residence or utility lines,” he added.
The LRT-1 Cavite extension will connect Baclaran to Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, and the City of Bacoor.
The project is expected to be completed by 2021.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Construction of LRT extension to Cavite possible by midyear
By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo
Reporter
LIGHT RAIL Manila Corp. (LRMC) may start by midyear the construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 extension to Cavite.
LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Juan Alfonso said they have signed the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with French company Bouygues Travaux Publics.
“We’ve actually already signed with an EPC contractor which means we are committed. We are trying to do this as soon as possible. Our guess right now is for it to be,…we want the actual construction to start, if we can, by the middle of this year. If we can do it quicker, if issues are solved faster, we’ll do it quicker,” LRMC’s Mr. Alfonso told reporters.
Mr. Alfonso said they are already in the detailed design phase of the project and are “ironing out” right-of-way issues.
“(W)e are now entering the detailed design phase with our EPC. We’ve actually signed up with an EPC contractor. We still have a few things we are trying to iron out with our right of way which we feel will be solved quite soon, this 2018. And then from there, we’ll start with the Cavite extension. But we’ve already signed with the EPC contractor… It’s really clearing the path for the actual construction because sometimes, they say the right of way is completed but actual structures have to be completed and moved, whether it’s residents or utility lines or, sometimes, alignments.”LRMC and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) broke ground on the P64.9-billion project in May last year.
The current LRT Line 1 will be extended starting from Baclaran Station to the future Niyog Station in Bacoor City, Cavite, which is approximately 11.7 kilometers (kms). The whole stretch of the integrated LRT 1 will have a total length of approximately 32.4 kms and will be operated and maintained by the private proponent.
LRMC, the consortium of Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd., bagged the public-private partnership (PPP) project in September 2015..
LRMC also anticipates increased ridership with the impending implementation of the 60-kph running speed of the train system from the current 40 kph, possibly in the second quarter.
“The 60 kph will be adding about 15%, 10, 15% more trips per day, using the same trains, so people will be spending less time at the stations. And we feel if the system is more efficient, people will use it more,” Mr. Alfonso said.
LRT-1 ridership increased by 16% from 2015 to 2017, a study commissioned by LRMC said.
There was also a 37.5% increase in passengers from socioeconomic classes A, B, and C1, LRMC said in a statement.
Reporter
LIGHT RAIL Manila Corp. (LRMC) may start by midyear the construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 extension to Cavite.
LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Juan Alfonso said they have signed the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with French company Bouygues Travaux Publics.
“We’ve actually already signed with an EPC contractor which means we are committed. We are trying to do this as soon as possible. Our guess right now is for it to be,…we want the actual construction to start, if we can, by the middle of this year. If we can do it quicker, if issues are solved faster, we’ll do it quicker,” LRMC’s Mr. Alfonso told reporters.
Mr. Alfonso said they are already in the detailed design phase of the project and are “ironing out” right-of-way issues.
“(W)e are now entering the detailed design phase with our EPC. We’ve actually signed up with an EPC contractor. We still have a few things we are trying to iron out with our right of way which we feel will be solved quite soon, this 2018. And then from there, we’ll start with the Cavite extension. But we’ve already signed with the EPC contractor… It’s really clearing the path for the actual construction because sometimes, they say the right of way is completed but actual structures have to be completed and moved, whether it’s residents or utility lines or, sometimes, alignments.”LRMC and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) broke ground on the P64.9-billion project in May last year.
The current LRT Line 1 will be extended starting from Baclaran Station to the future Niyog Station in Bacoor City, Cavite, which is approximately 11.7 kilometers (kms). The whole stretch of the integrated LRT 1 will have a total length of approximately 32.4 kms and will be operated and maintained by the private proponent.
LRMC, the consortium of Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd., bagged the public-private partnership (PPP) project in September 2015..
LRMC also anticipates increased ridership with the impending implementation of the 60-kph running speed of the train system from the current 40 kph, possibly in the second quarter.
“The 60 kph will be adding about 15%, 10, 15% more trips per day, using the same trains, so people will be spending less time at the stations. And we feel if the system is more efficient, people will use it more,” Mr. Alfonso said.
LRT-1 ridership increased by 16% from 2015 to 2017, a study commissioned by LRMC said.
There was also a 37.5% increase in passengers from socioeconomic classes A, B, and C1, LRMC said in a statement.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Construction of LRT1 Cavite extension to start mid-2018
LRT1 operator Light Rail Manila Corporation also says there will be no fare hike surprises as the train system is upgraded and expanded
The Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1), Southeast Asia's 1st rail transport line, is finally set to start the construction of its extension from Baclaran to Cavite in the middle of 2018, after it tapped French rail experts Bouygues Travaux Publics and Alstom Transport Private Limited to help with the structure.
"We have signed an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contract with Bouygues. We are trying to do this as soon as possible. We can by the middle of this year," Juan Alfonso, president and chief executive officer of Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City on Thursday, February 1.
"It is more than just right of way but more of clearing the path. If we can do it quicker, then we will do it faster," Alfonso added.
LRMC took over the operations, maintenance, and extension of the LRT1 in September 2015, after bagging the P64.9-billion ($1.36-billion) LRT1 Cavite Extension deal. (READ & WATCH: Engineers racing to fix LRT1)
LRMC is a consortium of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), and the Macquarie group.
The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will link with the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran Station, and run all the way to Niog, Bacoor City, Cavite.
Eight new stations will be provided with 3 intermodal facilities across Pasay City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, and Cavite.
The new stations are Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog. The intermodal facilities will be located in Dr Santos, Zapote, and Niog.
The commercial speed of the Cavite extension trains will be 60 kilometers per hour (km/h).
Alfonso said the LRT1 Cavite extension is targeted for completion in about 4 years or in 2021.
No fare hike surprises
Alfonso added that his firm is in constant talks with the government on how to move forward with a pending fare hike, as stipulated in their concession agreement (CA).
Instead of a fare hike which would be a burden to commuters, the LRT1 operator had suggested that the government subsidize the company's nearly P300-million claim.
"Fare increase is in the provision of CA. When the agreement for LRT1 was signed between LRMC and government, it contained a schedule of fare increases to allow us to fund the transactions," Alfonso told reporters.
"We need to keep our covenance to our lenders. We are discussing this with the government, on the schedule. There is no surprise that is coming. All fare adjustments are coursed through the Department of Transportation (DOTr)," he added.
LRMC had said that the pending fare increase for the LRT1, which should have taken effect on August 1, 2016, would push fees "5% higher" than they were in January 2015.
In December 2014, the DOTC implemented fare hikes for the 3 major train lines in Metro Manila, including the LRT1, after several years of postponement.
Under Department Order No. 2014-014, the uniform distance-based fare scheme for all 3 train lines – or an P11 base fare plus P1 per kilometer – was adopted.
The Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1), Southeast Asia's 1st rail transport line, is finally set to start the construction of its extension from Baclaran to Cavite in the middle of 2018, after it tapped French rail experts Bouygues Travaux Publics and Alstom Transport Private Limited to help with the structure.
"We have signed an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contract with Bouygues. We are trying to do this as soon as possible. We can by the middle of this year," Juan Alfonso, president and chief executive officer of Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City on Thursday, February 1.
"It is more than just right of way but more of clearing the path. If we can do it quicker, then we will do it faster," Alfonso added.
LRMC took over the operations, maintenance, and extension of the LRT1 in September 2015, after bagging the P64.9-billion ($1.36-billion) LRT1 Cavite Extension deal. (READ & WATCH: Engineers racing to fix LRT1)
LRMC is a consortium of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), and the Macquarie group.
The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will link with the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran Station, and run all the way to Niog, Bacoor City, Cavite.
Eight new stations will be provided with 3 intermodal facilities across Pasay City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, and Cavite.
The new stations are Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog. The intermodal facilities will be located in Dr Santos, Zapote, and Niog.
The commercial speed of the Cavite extension trains will be 60 kilometers per hour (km/h).
Alfonso said the LRT1 Cavite extension is targeted for completion in about 4 years or in 2021.
No fare hike surprises
Alfonso added that his firm is in constant talks with the government on how to move forward with a pending fare hike, as stipulated in their concession agreement (CA).
Instead of a fare hike which would be a burden to commuters, the LRT1 operator had suggested that the government subsidize the company's nearly P300-million claim.
"Fare increase is in the provision of CA. When the agreement for LRT1 was signed between LRMC and government, it contained a schedule of fare increases to allow us to fund the transactions," Alfonso told reporters.
"We need to keep our covenance to our lenders. We are discussing this with the government, on the schedule. There is no surprise that is coming. All fare adjustments are coursed through the Department of Transportation (DOTr)," he added.
LRMC had said that the pending fare increase for the LRT1, which should have taken effect on August 1, 2016, would push fees "5% higher" than they were in January 2015.
In December 2014, the DOTC implemented fare hikes for the 3 major train lines in Metro Manila, including the LRT1, after several years of postponement.
Under Department Order No. 2014-014, the uniform distance-based fare scheme for all 3 train lines – or an P11 base fare plus P1 per kilometer – was adopted.
LRT1 operator says Cavite extension works to start mid-2018
Construction of the P64-billion Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) extension from Baclaran in Parañaque City to Bacoor, Cavite is targeted to commence sometime in the middle of 2018, operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) said Thursday.
On May 4, 2017, LRMC and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) broke ground for the LRT1 Cavite extension project.
“Our guess right now? I think we want the actual construction to start by the middle of this year,” LRMC president and CEO Juan Alfonso told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City.
Clear the actual path for the construction and addressing right-of-way issues are taking more time, Alfonso noted. “We still have things that we’re trying to iron out in our right or way,” he said.
“It’s really clearing the path for actual construction, whether its residence or utility lines,” he added.
LRMC and French engineering, procurement, construction contractor Bouyges Travaux Publics are now about to enter the “detailed design phase” of the project.
LRT1 Cavite extension is a government and private sector initiative to extend the mass rail system’s reach by adding eight stations straddling 11 kilometers through cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor.
The new stations are Aseana, Manila International Airport, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos in Parañaque City; Las Piñas and Zapote in Las Piñas City, and Niog in Bacoor City.
To be completed in the last quarter of 2021, the extension is expected to accommodate 410,000 passengers a day in its opening year. —VDS, GMA News
On May 4, 2017, LRMC and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) broke ground for the LRT1 Cavite extension project.
“Our guess right now? I think we want the actual construction to start by the middle of this year,” LRMC president and CEO Juan Alfonso told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City.
Clear the actual path for the construction and addressing right-of-way issues are taking more time, Alfonso noted. “We still have things that we’re trying to iron out in our right or way,” he said.
“It’s really clearing the path for actual construction, whether its residence or utility lines,” he added.
LRMC and French engineering, procurement, construction contractor Bouyges Travaux Publics are now about to enter the “detailed design phase” of the project.
LRT1 Cavite extension is a government and private sector initiative to extend the mass rail system’s reach by adding eight stations straddling 11 kilometers through cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor.
The new stations are Aseana, Manila International Airport, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos in Parañaque City; Las Piñas and Zapote in Las Piñas City, and Niog in Bacoor City.
To be completed in the last quarter of 2021, the extension is expected to accommodate 410,000 passengers a day in its opening year. —VDS, GMA News
Japanese engineers start MRT3 system audit
A team of more than 50 railway experts and engineers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will start on Thursday the due diligence and system audit of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).
The system audit is a vital step to determine all rehabilitation and restoration works needed on the MRT3 system, which will be done by a JICA-nominated rehabilitation and maintenance provider that will be mobilized in May, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
“We obviously need all the help we can get and we are very grateful that the Japanese Government answered our call for assistance to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3 system,” said OIC Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan.
The system audit by JICA is separate from the ongoing Independent Audit and Assessment by TUV Rheinland, an ISO 17020 and ISO 17065 certified and IFIA member certifier (International Federation of Inspection Agencies) for the entire MRT3 system, including the 48 train cars from CRRC Dalian.
The TUV Rheinland audit commenced on Jan. 3, 2018 and will run for three months.
The DOTr is now implementing a four-point strategy to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3 system. This involves:
The spare parts that were already ordered have a delivery lead time of 30 days to six months, he said.
“We created a Special Bids and Awards Committee for MRT3 to address the urgent need to restore its service, which requires the expedited procurement of spare parts, among others,” he said. —VDS, GMA News
The system audit is a vital step to determine all rehabilitation and restoration works needed on the MRT3 system, which will be done by a JICA-nominated rehabilitation and maintenance provider that will be mobilized in May, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
“We obviously need all the help we can get and we are very grateful that the Japanese Government answered our call for assistance to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3 system,” said OIC Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan.
The system audit by JICA is separate from the ongoing Independent Audit and Assessment by TUV Rheinland, an ISO 17020 and ISO 17065 certified and IFIA member certifier (International Federation of Inspection Agencies) for the entire MRT3 system, including the 48 train cars from CRRC Dalian.
The TUV Rheinland audit commenced on Jan. 3, 2018 and will run for three months.
The DOTr is now implementing a four-point strategy to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3 system. This involves:
- promoting accountability
- ensuring continued service delivery
- contracting a qualified maintenance and rehabilitation service provider
- putting in place a long-term, single-point-of-responsibility, operator and maintenance provider
Additional trains may be expected this February since the first batch of spare parts that were ordered last December are scheduled to be delivered and installed this month, Batan noted.
The spare parts that were already ordered have a delivery lead time of 30 days to six months, he said.
“We created a Special Bids and Awards Committee for MRT3 to address the urgent need to restore its service, which requires the expedited procurement of spare parts, among others,” he said. —VDS, GMA News
Homegrown developer taps CL’s potential
A number of real estate players have seen the vast potential Central Luzon -- now fast becoming an alternative destination for business and leisure -- has to offer as modernization and investment opportunities continue to overflow in the area.
Leading the change ishomegrown business and property mover, Pampanga-based AC Beautiful Islands (ACBI) Realty Development Corp.
ACBI, the real estate arm of the JENRA Group of Companies is now behind the first and largest central business district in the region.
Called The Infinity, the development is located at the gateway of Central Luzon and directly connected to the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) via the Angeles exit.
Byron John Siy, general manager of ACBI Realty and Development Corp., said The Infinity will soon be comparable even with established central business districts in the metro especially nd with all the upcoming infrastructures in the area.
Siy said The Infinity will kick off 2018 by welcoming its newest locators PTT and Skygold.
The Infinity is the flagship project of ACBI and it traverses the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga.
Masterplanned by Palafox Associates, The Infinity will be a 40-hectare development that will soon house business, commercial, residential and all other dynamic features that completes a community.
ACBI counts on Central Luzon’s myriad of offerings -- from a world-class airport, the world’s largest indoor arena, and an all-weather golf course – as well as as new support structures that are underway.
Clark International Airport for example is the Philippines’ gateway to the world from the Central and Northern Luzon provinces, that complements Metro Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as the country’s main aviation center in the future.
Clark’s new terminals, the Diosdado Macapagal Terminal and Terminal 2 were expanded to cater low-cost carriers. In addition, two more terminals are expected to be completed and all will be fully operational by 2025. Upon completion, these four terminals will boost Clark’s passenger capacity to more than 110 million annually in contrast to NAIA’s four terminals that can handle an estimated number of 36 million passengers a year.
The airport is also being groomed to become one of the country’s first “aerotropolis” or a community that features a world-class airport and surrounded by business clusters and residential developments.
The construction of Metro Rail Transit Line’s newest railway – MRT-7 is already in progress. This improvement will make Bulacan just half an hour away from Metro Manila by 2020. The 22-kilometer railway system will have 14 stations from MRT-3 North Edsa to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. The project will efficiently lessen congestion on major roads going north.
Apart from the new railway, several expressways will likewise link Central Luzon to Metro Manila and its surrounding regionsto ensure an easier and faster travel time. The proposed North Luzon East Expressway (NLEE), a 92.1 kilometer four-lane expressway will connect Commonwealth Avenue to Nueva Ecija.
Also undergoing construction is the 66.4 kilometer Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) that will link Tarlac City to San Jose, Nueva Ecija. On the other hand, the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) that links Hermosa, Bataan to Tarlac City; and the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEx) that links Tarlac City to La Union are already operational.
“Given all the investment being poured by both the public and private sector to Central Luzon, we are positive that Central Luzon will finally gain the attention it deserves. All these improvements plus the world-class service and commerce and leisure opportunities that will soon be available at The Infinity will raise the bar of business excellence in the region, Siy said.
Leading the change ishomegrown business and property mover, Pampanga-based AC Beautiful Islands (ACBI) Realty Development Corp.
ACBI, the real estate arm of the JENRA Group of Companies is now behind the first and largest central business district in the region.
Called The Infinity, the development is located at the gateway of Central Luzon and directly connected to the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) via the Angeles exit.
Byron John Siy, general manager of ACBI Realty and Development Corp., said The Infinity will soon be comparable even with established central business districts in the metro especially nd with all the upcoming infrastructures in the area.
Siy said The Infinity will kick off 2018 by welcoming its newest locators PTT and Skygold.
The Infinity is the flagship project of ACBI and it traverses the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga.
Masterplanned by Palafox Associates, The Infinity will be a 40-hectare development that will soon house business, commercial, residential and all other dynamic features that completes a community.
ACBI counts on Central Luzon’s myriad of offerings -- from a world-class airport, the world’s largest indoor arena, and an all-weather golf course – as well as as new support structures that are underway.
Clark International Airport for example is the Philippines’ gateway to the world from the Central and Northern Luzon provinces, that complements Metro Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as the country’s main aviation center in the future.
Clark’s new terminals, the Diosdado Macapagal Terminal and Terminal 2 were expanded to cater low-cost carriers. In addition, two more terminals are expected to be completed and all will be fully operational by 2025. Upon completion, these four terminals will boost Clark’s passenger capacity to more than 110 million annually in contrast to NAIA’s four terminals that can handle an estimated number of 36 million passengers a year.
The airport is also being groomed to become one of the country’s first “aerotropolis” or a community that features a world-class airport and surrounded by business clusters and residential developments.
The construction of Metro Rail Transit Line’s newest railway – MRT-7 is already in progress. This improvement will make Bulacan just half an hour away from Metro Manila by 2020. The 22-kilometer railway system will have 14 stations from MRT-3 North Edsa to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. The project will efficiently lessen congestion on major roads going north.
Apart from the new railway, several expressways will likewise link Central Luzon to Metro Manila and its surrounding regionsto ensure an easier and faster travel time. The proposed North Luzon East Expressway (NLEE), a 92.1 kilometer four-lane expressway will connect Commonwealth Avenue to Nueva Ecija.
Also undergoing construction is the 66.4 kilometer Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) that will link Tarlac City to San Jose, Nueva Ecija. On the other hand, the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) that links Hermosa, Bataan to Tarlac City; and the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEx) that links Tarlac City to La Union are already operational.
“Given all the investment being poured by both the public and private sector to Central Luzon, we are positive that Central Luzon will finally gain the attention it deserves. All these improvements plus the world-class service and commerce and leisure opportunities that will soon be available at The Infinity will raise the bar of business excellence in the region, Siy said.
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