DOTr mulls expanded role for Japanese group repairing MRT 3
Credit to Author: dmorcoso| Date: Wed, 01 May 2019 21:19:48 +0000
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it was eyeing the possibility of Japan-based firm Sumitomo staying onboard as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3’s maintenance service provider beyond the 43-month-long rehabilitation program for the train line.
Transport Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan told reporters the DOTr was still studying whether Sumitomo could play a role in MRT 3’s “longer-term strategy” of operations and maintenance, even as it was considering Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s (MPIC) unsolicited proposal to take over MRT 3 operations.
“We are still reviewing (MPIC’s) proposal even amid ongoing legal issues that we still have to resolve,” Batan said, referring to the arbitration case filed in Singapore by South Korean firm, Busan Universal Railways Inc. (Buri), which questioned the DOTr’s termination of its contract as the train line’s maintenance provider.
On Tuesday, the DOTr officially handed over the terms of reference for the MRT 3 maintenance to Japanese consortium Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-TESP, kicking off the rehabilitation.
The handover also marked Sumitomo’s official return as MRT 3 original maintenance provider after Buri took over in 2012.
P20-B proposal
The MPIC had tried to bag the rehabilitation contract as part of a P20-billion proposal to repair, operate and maintain the MRT 3 for 30 years, with no fare hikes for at least two years.
The long-overdue project covers the entire 16.9-kilometer line, its 13 stations and Quezon City depot, and the original 72 light rail vehicles since the MRT 3 began operations in 1999.
It is partially funded by an P18-billion loan from Japan.