DOTr vows to restore MRT-3 to original high-grade design

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has vowed to fix and restore the MRT-3 to its original and high-grade design state by the third quarter of 2021.

“We are not deaf to the inconvenience being endured by our commuters, and this is precisely why the DOTr has already put in motion a series of strategic steps that will deliver a very dramatic improvement in MRT-3 in the course of the next two years,” Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said.

The team of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has already put in place a computerized maintenance management system for a more efficient railway operation, according to the DOTr.

Rehabilitation works for the station facilities have also commenced, with all escalators and elevators seen operational by the end of the year.

After breaking down in 2014, MRT-3’s wheel lathe machine was also repaired in March which, together with the upcoming replacement of all mainline tracks, will ensure that the trains will be running smoothly and with less vibration.

The DOTr said excess vibration is one of the major causes of MRT-3 train breakdowns in the past.

“Fixing MRT-3 requires a painstaking process that involves removing the cause – terminating BURI; procuring the solution – return of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; and implementing the solution – the 26-month rehabilitation period. We recognize that the process is taking time, but the DOTr has acted decisively and swiftly at every step,” Batan said.

The DOTr officially terminated its contract with MRT-3’s former maintenance service provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) in November 2017 “due to its poor performance.”

Following the contract termination with BURI, the DOTr established a maintenance transition team that temporarily took over the maintenance of the railway system, while the procurement of a new maintenance service provider was being processed.

In November last year, the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of MRT-3.

The DOTr then re-engaged the services of Sumitomo and MHI who are also the original designer, builder, and maintenance provider of MRT-3 during its first 12 years of operations.

Under the MRT-3 rehabilitation project, Sumitomo-MHI will undertake the overhaul of all 72 light rail vehicles, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signaling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of escalators and elevators.

The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.

The DOTr said significant drop in unloading incidents and service interruptions has been recorded in the MRT-3 in recent years.

Passenger unloading incidents declined to 57 last year from 463 incidents in 2017, 586 in 2016 and 417 in 2015.

In the first half, MRT-3 has so far recorded 14 unloading incidents.

Service interruptions also declined to 17 last year from 81 in 2017, 63 in 2016 and 55 in 2015.

The DOTr said only 12 service interruptions were so for recorded in January to June period.

“While we are working to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3, we are asking for understanding and patience from the riding public. We are fasttracking rehabilitation and restoration works at the MRT-3,” Batan said.