Czech Republic supports MRT-3 maintenance

MANILA, Philippines — Maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) will continue with the support of the Czech Republic, where the firm that supplies its train sets is based, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said yesterday.

Czech Ambassador Karel Hej inspected the maintenance of the CKD Tatra train sets during a visit to the MRT-3 depot on Feb. 12, according to a statement from the DOTr.

Hej was “pleased” with the turnout of the maintenance works, which the MRT-3, the Czech firm behind the train sets and the maintenance provider from Japan have carried out, the agency said.

“I’m very impressed not only with the level of organization and the attention to detail, but also with the effectiveness of the maintenance, which is naturally important to keeping the city (Metro Manila) moving,” he said.

MRT-3 officer-in-charge Jorjette Aquino thanked the envoy for his country’s support, particularly in providing spare parts produced in his country.

“We are very thankful to the Czech Republic, through SKD Trade, our private contractor, and Sumitomo Corp., our maintenance provider, for enabling the timely and sufficient delivery of spare parts for our trains. Your assistance has been instrumental in ensuring the continuous operation of MRT-3 trains over the past 25 years, providing safe and efficient transportation,” she said.

Sumitomo took charge of the MRT-3’s rehabilitation for two years until it was completed in December 2021.

State-owned CKD Tatra, which supplied the train sets, was privatized in 2002 and its factory is now owned by SKD Trade.