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MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has appointed a new officer-in-charge (OIC) for the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT3) amid a series of glitches and accidents involving the railway system along EDSA.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya told reporters that MRT3 Director for Operations Renato San Jose was appointed OIC.
San Jose will replace Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Honorio Chaneco, who will focus on the operations of Light Rail Transit lines 1 and 2, according to Abaya.
Chaneco, Abaya explained, has been burdened overseeing both railway systems.
Chaneco was appointed MRT3 OIC after former MRT3 general manager Al Vitangcol was relieved of his duties over accusations that he led a group that tried to extort $30 million from train maker Inekon Group of Czech Republic.
Abaya said San Jose would focus on the day-to-day operations of MRT3, which has been breaking down almost every day since the derailing of a train that injured about 36 people last August 13. Investigators blamed the accident on human error.
On Tuesday evening, September 2, MRT3 operations were disrupted again when doors of a train failed to close.
Maintenance and rehab
The DOTC chief said the agency would continue to pursue the rehabilitation of the railway system through several projects.
He said 48 trains to be supplied by CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock of China under a P3.8-billion contract are scheduled to arrive starting next year.
He added that the agency is also bidding out a P836.5-million contract to upgrade MRT3’s ancillary systems, including its signaling and power systems.
The DOTC is also bidding out a 3-year maintenance contract worth P2.25 billion for MRT3. The one-year maintenance contract of Autre Potre Technique Global Inc., set to expire on September 5, would be extended for at least 2 months.
The 16.9-kilometer MRT3 has a design capacity of 350,000 passengers a day, but it now services around 540,000 passengers per day. – Rappler.com
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