With the delivery of 7,296 meters of new steel rails, the DOTC is set to schedule repair work to replace the worn-out segments of the MRT3’s train tracks

MANILA, Philippines – Commuters of the overburdened Metro Rail Transit (MRT3) may soon find relief, with rail rehabilitation work for the aging mass transit line set to start soon.

Last week, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) received 7,296 meters of new steel rails to replace the worn-out segments of the MRT tracks.

The DOTC said the rail rehabilitation work will be scheduled during non-operating hours to avoid disrupting commuter services.

The MRT, which carries over 600,000 passengers daily – way beyond its operating capacity – suffers from frequent technical glitches, often blamed on broken rails and lack of spare parts.

Earlier this year, the MRT management have already begun replacing broken rails in several rounds of rehabilitation work, replacing 348 meters between the Magallanes and Taft Avenue stations, and 126 meters between Santolan and Ortigas stations.

In January, the DOTC awarded a P61.5 million contract for the supply of 608 pieces of 12-meter steel rails to Jorgman-Daewoo-MBTech, the joint venture of Jorgman Planning & Development Corp., Korea’s Daewoo Group, and MBTech Group of Germany.

The agency earlier tapped several contractors for the maintenance of the MRT3, awarding 6 contracts worth P235 million for various projects starting July 2015.

The biggest project, worth P131.28 million, went to the joint of Schunk Bahn-und Industrietechnik GmbH and Comm Builders & Technology Philippines Corp for the maintenance of rolling stocks, depot equipment, and signalling.

The second biggest project, a P42.23-million contract for the maintenance of power supply and overhead catenary systems, was awarded to MRAIL Inc. of electricity giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

The DOTC also awarded the following contracts for various maintenance work:

  • P23.9 million contract to the Jorgman-Korail-Erin Marty joint venture for the maintenance of rail tracks and permanent ways
  • P23.35 million contract to Global Epcom Services Inc. for the maintenance of stations, depot, and other infrastructure
  • P7.28 million contract to Trilink Technologies Inc. for the upgrade and maintenance of communications systems
  • P6.95 million contract to Future Logic Corp. for the maintenance of all automated fare collection system equipment system, software, and spare parts
  • P22.11 million contract to Jardine Schindler Elevator Corp. for the restoration of the first batch of escalators

Meanwhile, the delivery of 48 new trains by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. of China has been delayed and is now expected to be delivered by end-January next year. – Rappler.com

05 July 2015