MRT 3 rehab proposal seen moving forward at year-end

MANILA, Philippines — The proposal of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) to rehabilitate the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) along Edsa is expected to move forward by the end of the year, after issues on the maintenance and operation of the railway and Dalian trains have been addressed, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“They are conducting their due diligence. This means, they are looking into engineering, technical and marketing. What we have discussed is by end of the year, we would be able to address the unsolicited proposal,” Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade told reporters.

He said issues on the maintenance and operation of the MRT-3, as well as on the Dalian trains have to be resolved first.

Last year, MPIC unit Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp.was granted original proponent status (OPS) by the DOTr for the P12.5 billion proposal to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the MRT-3 for 30 years.

Under the proposal, MPIC would not raise fares for at least two years.

Being granted the OPS means MPIC would have the right to match an offer given by another group via a Swiss challenge.

Tugade said the Swiss challenge would be conducted following an approval by the National Economic and Development Authority.

Having a single-point-of-responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the MRT-3 for the long term is among the strategies of the DOTr for the railway spanning North Ave. station in Quezon City until Taft station in Pasay City.

Prior to putting in place a single-point-of-responsibility for the MRT-3, the DOTr would work on bringing the train system back to its original condition.

Earlier this year, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) started the due diligence and system audit for the MRT-3 to determine what rehabilitation and restoration works will be needed.

The DOTr has also tapped TUV Rheinland for the independent audit and assessment consultant for the entire MRT-3 system, including the 48 train cars from CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd. purchased during the previous administration.

As issues have been raised on the Dalian trains’ weight and compatibility with the MRT-3’s maintenance facilities and signaling system, Transport Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the decision on whether the trains would be used for the MRT-3 would be made after going through the full audit report.

Last month, the DOTr said it has defined the scope of the rehabilitation and maintenance works for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) with JICA with the project cost pegged at P17 billion ( ¥34.48 billion Japanese yen).

Based on discussions, it would take 43 months to complete the MRT-3’s rehabilitation and maintenance project.