Gov’t kicks off 3-year rehab for glitch-ridden MRT-3

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has assured commuters of better Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) service as it kicks off the three-year rehabilitation of the glitch-ridden train system. 

DOTr Undersecretary for rails TJ Batan said the service provider Sumitomo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) are set to begin the rehabilitation of the original 72 light rail vehicles of the MRT-3 by the end of this month. 

“We are fixing the trains, railway, power supply, catenary system, signaling, communications so that the MRT-3 will be able to operate smoothly,” Batan said in an interview. 

The DOTr terminated the MRT-3’s service contract with its previous service provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. in 2017 due to its alleged poor performance that paved the way for the comeback of Sumitomo and MHI. 

Batan added that its service providers are also studying the maintenance of the 48 Dalian trains procured by the former administration and use them while the rehabilitation is being conducted.  

“We will maintain, at least, and maximize the use of 15 trains during peak hours,” Batan said.

Meanwhile, the  MRT-3 reported zero technical problem and zero unloading incident yesterday with six operational and running trains deployed on non-peak hours and 12 to 13 trains during the rush hours. 

Sumitomo and MHI designed and built the MRT-3 system from 1989 to 2000 and maintained it from 2000 to 2012, according to the DOTr.