MRT3 contractor faces P27-M fines

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MRT3 contractor faces P27-M fines
Penalties incurred by contractor cover its first 6 months of maintenance

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said it was imposing penalties on the maintenance contractor of the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT3) for the glitches that occurred since it provided services for the railway system, with fines reaching P27.1 million ($631,838.94*).

Speaking to reporters on Monday, September 8, DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said MRT3 maintenance provider Autre Portre Technique (APT) Global would pay the penalty amount covering the first 6 months of its services.

Of the amount, Abaya said P18 million ($421,225.96*) was for the suspension of operations on August 13, the day a train derailed at the Taft Avenue station in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, the DOTC chief announced that the government proposed 11 projects worth P10 billion in a bid to improve the operations of MRT3.

Among the projects include the acquisition of 48 brand new train cars for the MRT3, with a contract amount of P3.76 billion ($87.989 million*).

The light rail vehicles are to be delivered by CNR Dalian Locomotive and rolling Stock Co. of China every month, beginning September next year until the end of 2016, Abaya told reporters.

The DOTC awarded the contract for the brand new trains in January after the Makati City Regional Trial Court denied the plea of MRT3 shareholder MRT Holdings Inc. (MRTH) to stop the awarding of the project to the Chinese firm.  

“This is the real solution to long lines and over congestion, increase capacity by 66% and will improve headway to 2.5 minutes,” a DOTC presentation material read.

Once the brand new trains are installed, waiting time for trains at each station would be cut by 2.5 minutes, said Abaya. Currently, passengers have to wait for an average 4.5 minutes.

Procurement contract for the new trains was signed in February. The prototype of the LRVs was tested last month, said Abaya. “We’ve checked the Dalian trains and they work.”

Abaya hopes the trains will be completely rolled out before the end of President Benigno Aquino III’s term.

The second most expensive project is the procurement of services of a long-term maintenance provider worth P1.4 billion ($32.762 million*) per month, beginning September 2014.

Abaya said the acquisition of a third-party maintenance provider for a period of 3 years would “ensure that the system operates under safe running conditions and maintain cost at a minimum level with a reliable system.”

The DOTC is extending on a month-to-month basis the one-year contract of APT Global after it expired last month. The contract is renewed for P57 million ($1.333 million*) per month.

The rest of the remaining projects include the rehabilitation of the 28 old LRVs of the railway system beginning in the fourth quarter this year, said Abaya.

Other projects are the P870-million ($20.359 million*) ancillary system upgrade, P185-million ($4.329 million) signalling system upgrade, P119.5-million ($2.796 million*) replacement of old rail tracks, P110-million ($2.574 million*) radio communication system upgrade, P50 million ($1.170 million*) elevators and escalators replacement, and the P13.7 million ($320,599.76*) footbridge construction at the North Ave. station.

During the duration of the upgrades, Abaya said there would be no disruption of operations. – with a report from Mick Basa / Rappler.com

 

*$42.73

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