The Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects an improvement in the operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) by the third quarter of next year with the recent signing of the PHP18-billion loan agreement for its rehabilitation, between the Philippines and Japan.
“The PHP18-billion loan agreement between the Philippine and Japanese governments will address the persisting problems of the MRT-3 and improve its systems to deliver a fast, reliable, and safe transportation to commuters,” DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said in a statement on Friday.
“We expect the MRT-3 to be restored to its original condition after 26 months,” Batan added.
The MRT-3 seeks to maintain its current average capacity of 350,000 commuters daily for the first seven to nine months of the rehabilitation.
Capacity is expected to gradually increase beginning the third quarter of next year, he said.
Batan projected that the speed of the MRT trains would improve from 30 km. per hour (kph) to 60 kph with its headway time reduced from the current seven minutes to 3.5 minutes.
“Our trains, which at times get stalled, are currently at 15 train sets during peak hours. We aim to increase these to 20,” he said.
The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed on Wednesday the 38 billion Japanese yen or PHP18 billion loan agreement for the MRT-3 rehabilitation project.
The project includes the repair and maintenance of the system’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, and depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 light rail vehicles.
The upgrade of the MRT-3 will take about 43 months, with the first 26 months focused on the rehabilitation of the entire system. (PNA)
Friday, November 9, 2018
Japan, ADB to finance 147-km train systems between Clark and Calamba
The economic team has consolidated three big-ticket railway projects into one massive P777.6-billion project stretching from the Clark Freeport Zone up north to Calamba, Laguna down south.
The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System, approved by the interagency Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC Cab-Com) last Tuesday, raised the total project cost from the previous P440.9 billion, to be co-financed by loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and the Manila-based multilateral lender Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Edita Z. Tan told the Inquirer last Thursday that Jica will finance the actual construction, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will cover civil works.
“The increase in project cost is attributed to three factors as determined by the detailed engineering designs: shift to elevated viaducts instead of at-grade structures to improve operational efficiencies and safety; adoption of standard gauge instead of narrow-gauge, in compliance with government standards to ensure seamless operations for all sections; and increase in the number of trains and change from single to double-tracks for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project,” the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said in a statement Friday.
“The cost will also cover resettlement activities, meeting ADB and JICA social and environmental safeguards, to ensure proper housing and welfare support for the estimated 12,901 informal settler families that will be affected,” the state planning agency added.
The NSCR, to be implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), will connect the ongoing Phase 1 between Malolos, Bulacan and Tutuban, Manila to the PNR South Commuter Railway to Calamba as well as the Malolos-Clark Railway.
The three railway systems running a total of 147 kilometers will have 36 stations, to be connected to the Light Rail Transit 1, LRT 2, Metro Rail Transit 3, and the soon-to-rise Metro Manila Subway.
Based on earlier Neda documents, it will also pass through Clark International Airport.
“The NSCR System compared to other railway projects in Asia is more cost-effective. Per kilometer, the project costs about $100 million,” Neda quoted the DOTr as saying.
Partial operations will begin in 2022 with 340,000 passengers expected to use the system per day. Full operations will start in 2023, with a higher projected daily ridership of 550,000.
“The government will subsidize an average of P5 billion per year to cover capital, operating, and renewal costs of the project—an investment that is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create more jobs, increase incomes, and deliver a more comfortable commuting experience,” according to Neda.
Based on earlier Neda documents, the Malolos-Clark and Tutuban-Calamba segments were currently undergoing detailed engineering design as well as supplemental feasibility studies by Jica.
The design and feasibility study would be completed by March or April next year.
According to an earlier ADB timetable, its counterpart financing for the north line to Clark Green City will be up for approval next year, while that for the south commuter line is expected to be approved in 2020. /kga
https://business.inquirer.net/260258/japan-adb-to-finance-147-km-train-systems-between-clark-and-calamba
The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System, approved by the interagency Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC Cab-Com) last Tuesday, raised the total project cost from the previous P440.9 billion, to be co-financed by loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and the Manila-based multilateral lender Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Edita Z. Tan told the Inquirer last Thursday that Jica will finance the actual construction, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will cover civil works.
“The increase in project cost is attributed to three factors as determined by the detailed engineering designs: shift to elevated viaducts instead of at-grade structures to improve operational efficiencies and safety; adoption of standard gauge instead of narrow-gauge, in compliance with government standards to ensure seamless operations for all sections; and increase in the number of trains and change from single to double-tracks for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project,” the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said in a statement Friday.
“The cost will also cover resettlement activities, meeting ADB and JICA social and environmental safeguards, to ensure proper housing and welfare support for the estimated 12,901 informal settler families that will be affected,” the state planning agency added.
The NSCR, to be implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), will connect the ongoing Phase 1 between Malolos, Bulacan and Tutuban, Manila to the PNR South Commuter Railway to Calamba as well as the Malolos-Clark Railway.
The three railway systems running a total of 147 kilometers will have 36 stations, to be connected to the Light Rail Transit 1, LRT 2, Metro Rail Transit 3, and the soon-to-rise Metro Manila Subway.
Based on earlier Neda documents, it will also pass through Clark International Airport.
“The NSCR System compared to other railway projects in Asia is more cost-effective. Per kilometer, the project costs about $100 million,” Neda quoted the DOTr as saying.
Partial operations will begin in 2022 with 340,000 passengers expected to use the system per day. Full operations will start in 2023, with a higher projected daily ridership of 550,000.
“The government will subsidize an average of P5 billion per year to cover capital, operating, and renewal costs of the project—an investment that is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create more jobs, increase incomes, and deliver a more comfortable commuting experience,” according to Neda.
Based on earlier Neda documents, the Malolos-Clark and Tutuban-Calamba segments were currently undergoing detailed engineering design as well as supplemental feasibility studies by Jica.
The design and feasibility study would be completed by March or April next year.
According to an earlier ADB timetable, its counterpart financing for the north line to Clark Green City will be up for approval next year, while that for the south commuter line is expected to be approved in 2020. /kga
https://business.inquirer.net/260258/japan-adb-to-finance-147-km-train-systems-between-clark-and-calamba
ICC Approves Change in Scope and Cost of North-South Commuter Railway System
The Investment Coordination Committee – Cabinet Committee approved on November 6 the change in scope and increase in cost of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System.
The total cost of the NSCR, a project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Philippine National Railways (PNR), increased to PhP 777,551.07 million from PhP 440,881.05. It will be funded through an Official Development Assistance loan support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The increase in project cost is attributed to three factors as determined by the detailed engineering designs: a) shift to elevated viaducts instead of at-grade structures to improve operational efficiencies and safety; (b) adoption of standard gauge instead of narrow-gauge, in compliance with government standards to ensure seamless operations for all sections; and, c) increase in the number of trains and change from single to double-tracks for the MCRP.
The cost will also cover resettlement activities, meeting ADB and JICA social and environmental safeguards, to ensure proper housing and welfare support for the estimated 12,901 informal settler families that will be affected.
The project will bring together the NSCR Phase 1 (Malolos-Tutuban), the PNR South Commuter Railway (Solis-Calamba), and the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP), that will create a 147-km elevated, double-track, and seamless connection from Clark International Airport to Los Banos, Laguna, with 36 stations.
The NSCR System will link with existing railway lines the LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3, as well as with the upcoming LRT-4, LRT-6, MRT-7 and Metro Manila Subway.
According to the DOTr, the NSCR System compared to other railway projects in Asia is more cost-effective. Per kilometer, the project costs about USD100 million.
The rail system is expected to be partially operational by 2022 with a daily ridership of 340,000 passengers. It will be fully operational by 2023 with a daily ridership of 550,000 passengers.
The government will subsidize an average of PhP5 billion per year to cover capital, operating, and renewal costs of the project—an investment that is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create more jobs, increase incomes, and deliver a more comfortable commuting experience.
The DOTr was instructed by the Committee to implement measures that would allow the national government to maximize non-farebox revenues, such as incremental taxes from increased property value through revenue-sharing arrangements with concerned LGUs and through the development of national government properties in the project area.
The total cost of the NSCR, a project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Philippine National Railways (PNR), increased to PhP 777,551.07 million from PhP 440,881.05. It will be funded through an Official Development Assistance loan support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The increase in project cost is attributed to three factors as determined by the detailed engineering designs: a) shift to elevated viaducts instead of at-grade structures to improve operational efficiencies and safety; (b) adoption of standard gauge instead of narrow-gauge, in compliance with government standards to ensure seamless operations for all sections; and, c) increase in the number of trains and change from single to double-tracks for the MCRP.
The cost will also cover resettlement activities, meeting ADB and JICA social and environmental safeguards, to ensure proper housing and welfare support for the estimated 12,901 informal settler families that will be affected.
The project will bring together the NSCR Phase 1 (Malolos-Tutuban), the PNR South Commuter Railway (Solis-Calamba), and the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP), that will create a 147-km elevated, double-track, and seamless connection from Clark International Airport to Los Banos, Laguna, with 36 stations.
The NSCR System will link with existing railway lines the LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3, as well as with the upcoming LRT-4, LRT-6, MRT-7 and Metro Manila Subway.
According to the DOTr, the NSCR System compared to other railway projects in Asia is more cost-effective. Per kilometer, the project costs about USD100 million.
The rail system is expected to be partially operational by 2022 with a daily ridership of 340,000 passengers. It will be fully operational by 2023 with a daily ridership of 550,000 passengers.
The government will subsidize an average of PhP5 billion per year to cover capital, operating, and renewal costs of the project—an investment that is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create more jobs, increase incomes, and deliver a more comfortable commuting experience.
The DOTr was instructed by the Committee to implement measures that would allow the national government to maximize non-farebox revenues, such as incremental taxes from increased property value through revenue-sharing arrangements with concerned LGUs and through the development of national government properties in the project area.
PHL, Japan sign MRT-3 rehab loan agreement
THE PHILIPPINES and Japan on Thursday signed a 38-billion yen loan agreement to upgrade and rehabilitate the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III signed the loan agreement on behalf of the Philippines, while Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) senior vice-president Yasushi Tanaka signed on behalf of Japan.
The project seeks to improve the safety, reliability and the level of service of the 16.9-kilometer light rail system connecting 13 stations along EDSA — Metro Manila’s main artery.
The MRT-3 rehabilitation project will cost a total of P21.96 billion. Japan will provide a loan covering about 85% or P18.76 billion via its Official Development Assistance (ODA) agency, JICA. The remaining P3.19 billion will be funded by the Philippines.
The interest rate is 0.10% for non-consulting services and 0.01% for consulting services, with a maturity period of 40 years inclusive of a 12-year grace period.
“This is by every measure a very soft loan that will enable us to address a very pressing problem,” Mr. Dominguez said in his speech.
“This is good news for the Filipino commuters so they will have improved access to safe and reliable transportation, while also meeting the Philippine government’s priorities to reduce traffic congestion in Metro Manila, attract investments, and improve the quality of life of the people,” said JICA Senior Vice-President Yasushi Tanaka.
The project involves the replacement of “worn-out” tracks, a “general overhaul” of the 15-year old 72 light rail vehicles, that seeks to eliminate the problems of train stoppages, system failures, engine breakdowns and faulty air conditioning besetting the line.
The loan will also cover the rail line’s train cars, power supply system, overhead catenary system, radio system, closed-circuit television system, public address system, depot equipment, elevators and escalators and other station-building equipment.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John R. Batan said that the rehabilitation process will not disrupt the current capacity of the MRT-3.
He said that the DoTr will return the MRT to its normal design capacity in the next 26 months, to 20 operating transits from the current 15, and time intervals of three and a half minutes between trains from seven minutes currently, speeds of 60 kilometers per hour (kph) from 30 kph, and passengers carried to 500,000 from 388,000 currently.
He said that the DoTr will gradually increase the MRT’s capacity further until the 43rd month.
Mr. Batan said that the government will tap the services of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the original maintenance provider of MRT-3 when it was first rolled out, before its contract was terminated in 2012.
He said that Sumitomo began the rehabilitation process on Oct. 15 to help accelerate the project.
Mr. Batan also said that the DoTr is still proceeding with the full integration of all the trains bought from Chinese firm CRRC Dalian Co.
“The transition process is already ongoing and full mobilization will be in January. The mobilization is already happening. The interface with Dalian trains is something that we are currently discussing in order to make sure that all the considerations have been addressed.
Mr. Dominguez said that the MRT rehabilitation was the fastest that was ever processed between both countries, taking less than three months.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, approved the rehabilitation project on Aug. 22
“I would like to assure our harried commuters that we will rebuild and reinvent this vital rail service as quickly as possible,” Mr. Dominguez said. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
https://www.bworldonline.com/phl-japan-sign-mrt-3-rehab-loan-agreement/
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III signed the loan agreement on behalf of the Philippines, while Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) senior vice-president Yasushi Tanaka signed on behalf of Japan.
The project seeks to improve the safety, reliability and the level of service of the 16.9-kilometer light rail system connecting 13 stations along EDSA — Metro Manila’s main artery.
The MRT-3 rehabilitation project will cost a total of P21.96 billion. Japan will provide a loan covering about 85% or P18.76 billion via its Official Development Assistance (ODA) agency, JICA. The remaining P3.19 billion will be funded by the Philippines.
The interest rate is 0.10% for non-consulting services and 0.01% for consulting services, with a maturity period of 40 years inclusive of a 12-year grace period.
“This is by every measure a very soft loan that will enable us to address a very pressing problem,” Mr. Dominguez said in his speech.
“This is good news for the Filipino commuters so they will have improved access to safe and reliable transportation, while also meeting the Philippine government’s priorities to reduce traffic congestion in Metro Manila, attract investments, and improve the quality of life of the people,” said JICA Senior Vice-President Yasushi Tanaka.
The project involves the replacement of “worn-out” tracks, a “general overhaul” of the 15-year old 72 light rail vehicles, that seeks to eliminate the problems of train stoppages, system failures, engine breakdowns and faulty air conditioning besetting the line.
The loan will also cover the rail line’s train cars, power supply system, overhead catenary system, radio system, closed-circuit television system, public address system, depot equipment, elevators and escalators and other station-building equipment.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John R. Batan said that the rehabilitation process will not disrupt the current capacity of the MRT-3.
He said that the DoTr will return the MRT to its normal design capacity in the next 26 months, to 20 operating transits from the current 15, and time intervals of three and a half minutes between trains from seven minutes currently, speeds of 60 kilometers per hour (kph) from 30 kph, and passengers carried to 500,000 from 388,000 currently.
He said that the DoTr will gradually increase the MRT’s capacity further until the 43rd month.
Mr. Batan said that the government will tap the services of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the original maintenance provider of MRT-3 when it was first rolled out, before its contract was terminated in 2012.
He said that Sumitomo began the rehabilitation process on Oct. 15 to help accelerate the project.
Mr. Batan also said that the DoTr is still proceeding with the full integration of all the trains bought from Chinese firm CRRC Dalian Co.
“The transition process is already ongoing and full mobilization will be in January. The mobilization is already happening. The interface with Dalian trains is something that we are currently discussing in order to make sure that all the considerations have been addressed.
Mr. Dominguez said that the MRT rehabilitation was the fastest that was ever processed between both countries, taking less than three months.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, approved the rehabilitation project on Aug. 22
“I would like to assure our harried commuters that we will rebuild and reinvent this vital rail service as quickly as possible,” Mr. Dominguez said. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
https://www.bworldonline.com/phl-japan-sign-mrt-3-rehab-loan-agreement/
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