Noy blames GMA for MRT mess

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino blamed former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo again yesterday, this time for the problems concerning the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT).

“There is a problem. But it is a problem that should have less problems attached to it, if certain things were done before we took over,” he said in a chance interview at the SM Mall in Davao City.

The President also noted that the light rail systems are “really old.” 

The LRT Line 1, which runs from Baclaran to Monumento, was built sometime in 1981 while MRT Line 3 (MRT-3) along EDSA was constructed in the mid-90s.

Aquino said the MRT 3 was originally built for 300,000 commuters, but as many as 500,000 are now using it on a daily basis.

He assured the public that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is “on top of the situation” and steps are being undertaken to address the problems.

He did not respond when asked how long will MRT and LRT commuters have to bear with the glitches in train operations, saying he still has to hold a meeting with DOTC Secretary Emilio Abaya.

He lamented that the efforts of his administration to address the problems by purchasing more coaches were only met with criticism. 

“So sabi ko nga, hahabaan niyo iyung franchise ninyo, tataasan natin iyung rate… (but) the increased rates will be met by a lot of resistance by the commuting public,” he said, lamenting that extended franchises have a trade-off of higher fares. 

“We are in government, can purchase it, why shouldn’t government purchase it? Tapos nung nagka-purchase, kung anu-anong isyu na naman iyung lumabas na influence peddling, etc,” he added.

P10 B to improve MRT operations

Meanwhile, Abaya said a total of 11 projects worth around P10 billion are underway to improve the operations of MRT-3.

He said the biggest project is the P3.76-billion MRT-3 capacity expansion project involving the acquisition of 48 brand new trains that was awarded to CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. of China.

Abaya said the project would increase the capacity of MRT-3 to 800,000 per day.

With the new trains, he said the waiting time for the arrival of trains for each station would be shortened to 2.5 minutes from the current waiting time of 4.5 minutes.

He said the capacity of MRT-3 would increase by at least 13 percent with the delivery of 10 to 13 brand new trains next year.

He said three to four brand new trains would be delivered per month starting September next year.

P2.2-B maintenance contract

Abaya said a three-year maintenance contract worth P2.2 billion would ensure that the mass transit system would operate under safe running conditions and maintain cost at a minimum level. The one-year contract of Autre Potre Technique (APT) Global that expired on Sept. 5 is extended on a monthly basis at P57 million.

The DOTC also earmarked P1.15 billion for the rehabilitation of 28 old trains of the MRT-3 and another P94.5 million to replace train engine motors.

The DOTC is also spending P870 million to upgrade the ancillary systems, including the upgrading of power substation, depot facilities for parking, construction of North Avenue turnback and Taft Avenue pocket track extension to be able to integrate the 48 brand new trains.

Another P185 million would be used to upgrade the signaling system and computer software to improve the reliability of MRT-3.

The government has also allocated P119.5 million to replace 500 pieces of old rail tracks to maximize the speed of light rail vehicles, which are currently limited to 40 kilometers per hour after a freak accident injured about 36 passengers on Aug. 13.

Abaya said P110 million would be spent to replace and upgrade the entire radio communication system for improved coordination between train operators and control center supervisors.

He said P50 million would be used to replace obsolete elevators and escalators to accommodate passengers especially persons with disabilities, pregnant women and senior citizens.

He said the government is likewise spending P13.7 million to construct an additional footbridge at the North Ave. station to accommodate passenger queues.

The AF Consortium, led by infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and conglomerate Ayala Corp., is spending P1.09 billion to establish the automated fare collection system to be fully operational by September next year.– With Lawrence Agcaoili, Edu Punay