Thursday, September 19, 2019

Overhaul overdue: Daily maintenance fails to prevent MRT3 short circuit

A joint investigation by Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, DOTr, and MRT management shows what caused the September 6 stoppage of the trains

The cut overhead catenary cable that halted the operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) last September 6 was due to a mechanical failure that train preparation and daily maintenance failed to prevent.

A joint investigation into the September 6 incident conducted by MRT3 maintenance provider Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Department of Transportation (DOTr)-MRT3, and the chief engineering division revealed that a short circuit was caused by the train's electrical box.

Because the protection and control unit (PCU) of the train's power substation was also defective, it failed to cut off the 750-bolt line in time, causing the overhead catenary cable to be cut.

According to MRT3 Director for Operations Michael Capati, trains undergo daily train preparation and preventive maintenance before being deployed on the rails. The preventive maintenance program is done daily, weekly, and monthly.

However, the degradation of rails mean that preventive measures fall short in accounting for possible failures while the trains are running.

In this regard, Capati said that trains, along with rails, are overdue for full rehabilitation and general overhaul, which the DOTr-MRT3 is addressing through its comprehensive rehabilitation, which is set to be completed in July 2021.

Replacement of all PCUs is also included in the whole rehabilitation program of the MRT3.

To curb reoccurrences of similar incidents, Capati said that, aside from upgrading PCUs, they will also be doubling the number of their foot patrol technicians that check trains visually for defects. Further, they will also increase maintenance personnel with the support of Sumitomo.

The suspension of operations last September 6 affected 7,302 passengers.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/240545-mrt3-daily-maintenance-failed-prevent-cut-cable-incident

MRT-3 rehab on track to achieve total completion in July 2021 —rail official

The total rehabilitation of all components and systems of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is on track to be completed in July 2021, a top official of the mass rail transit system said Thursday.

In fact, the rehabilitation works are moving ahead of schedule, MRT-3 director Mike Capati said in a press conference in Quezon City.

Japanese service providers Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries started working on the MRT-3 last May.

“‘Yun pong maintenance rehabilitation ng ating mga riles dapat ho ‘yan first quarter of next year, magi-istart na po tayo ng November,” Capati noted.

“Meaning to say advanced po ang mga projections na nache-check namin. Ang delivery po ng spare parts are coming in ahead of time,” Capati noted.

The 4,053 new rails of 18-meter length to replace MRT-3’s old rails arrived from Japan in July, and more rails are scheduled for delivery in October.

The Department of Transportation earlier said that the new rails were to arrive two to three months ahead of schedule, keeping the 26-month rehabilitation on track by July 2021.

“Pakiusap namin sa publiko na hindi po kasi 24 hours kayang i-rehab ang buong sistema ng MRT-3. Ang target po namin diyan ay 26 months, we’re down to 22 months na,” Capati said.

“By July 2021, assured tayo na lahat ng po ng components at system ng MRT-3 ay fully rehabilitated na,” he said.

Sumitomo officially started the rehabilitation and maintenance works in May this year.

The total cost of the MRT-3 rehabilitation is P21.96 billion, of which P18.76 billion is official development assistance loan from JICA. The balance of P3.19 billion is funded locally.

The P18.76-billion loan agreement for the project was signed by the Philippine government and Japan International Cooperation Agency in November 2018.

Roughly ¥38 billion, the loan carries an interest rate of 0.1 percent per year with a repayment period of 28 years after a grace period of 12 years.

The Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agreement with the DOTr was signed in December 28, 2018.

The contract covers the electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 light rail vehicles.

Once rehabilitated, the MRT-3 is expected to return to its high-grade condition.

The number of operating train sets will be elevated from 15 to 20 at peak hours, and the trains’  operating speed will be doubled to 60 kilometers per hour—slashing the time intervals between trains from 7 to 10 minutes to 3.5 minutes. —VDS, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/708639/mrt-3-rehab-on-track-to-achieve-total-completion-in-july-2021-rail-official/story/

MRT-3 bent on making 3 Dalian train sets operational this September

The management of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is bent on inserting into the system at least three sets of trains acquired from China-based CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd. this month.

“We are doing our best to make sure na ma-insert namin ang Dalian, hopefully this month,” MRT-3 director Mike Capati said in a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.

The mass rail transit system is now waiting for the go signal from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Japanese maintenance provider Sumitomo.

“Meron ng communication doon but I’m not privy to disclose because it is a top management issue pero kami po ay ready once na sabihan kami,” Capati said.

“We have already accepted three train sets. Given a few days’ notice, we can readily insert it … at saka ang ating provider Sumitomo agrees on whatever conditions they have.”

In 2016, Dalian delivered 48 trains that were purchased by the Aquino administration but were never put to use because the trains were incompatible with MRT system and “overweight.”

“Malaking tulong 'pag nailabas namin ang Dalian,” Capati said.

The train sets can serve at least 10,000 to 20,000 passengers a day.

“We are working on that, ‘di ko lang kayo mabigyan ng konkretong detalye pa kasi I’m still waiting for the go-signal,” Capati noted. —VDS, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/708618/mrt-3-bent-on-making-3-dalian-train-sets-operational-this-september/story/