DOTC taps Chinese firm for MRT 3 capacity expansion

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has finally awarded a P3.8-billion contract to Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., CNR Group of China paving the way for the much needed acquisition of 48 new trains that would help decongest the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT3) along EDSA.

The Notice of Award was approved by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya based on the recommendation made by DOTC Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla.

The notice was issued based on the findings of the agency’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and pursuant to BAC Resolution P-GS-PB-2014-1.

“The contract for the DOTC-MRT3 Capacity Expansion Project is hereby awarded to Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., CNR Group in the amount of P3.76 billion subject to the compliance with the documentary requirements as provided under the revised implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9184,” Abaya stated in the notice.

The project covers the design, supply, and delivery of 48 light rail vehicles with on-board communications system, on-board ATP system, and one unit train simulator.

The acquisition of new trains would help alleviate the sufferings of the commuting public as the mass transit system along the congested EDSA is now serving close to 600,000 passengers per day or almost double the original designed capacity of 350,000.

It would be recalled that Dalian Locomotive CNR submitted a bid of P3.759 billion or P10 million lower than the indicative price of P3.769 billion for the MRT3 capacity expansion project in June last year.

Another Chinese firm CSR Zhouzhou was disqualified by the DOTC.

Under the expansion program, the DOTC said the government would acquire 48 new trains to be able to use a four-car trains that would arrive every 2.5 minutes during peak hours from the current system wherein three-car trains arrive every three minutes during peak hours.