DOTr taps independent consultant to evaluate ‘unusable’ MRT3 coaches

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has tapped a German consultant firm to evaluate and make recommendations on what to do with the unused 48 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) delivered by Chinese firm CRRC-Dalian Co. Ltd.

In a statement released Thursday, the DOTr said TUV Rheinland won as the independent audit and assessment consultant that will evaluate the CRRC-Dalian coaches as well make recommendations for other components the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3).

According to the DOTr, TUV Rheinland met the high qualifications set such as an ISO 17020 and ISO 17065 certification, and membership in the International Federation of Inspection Agencies (IFIA).

Transportation officer-in-charge Undersecretary for Rails TJ Batan said the DOTr will not interfere or influence the TUV Rheinland's assessment of the 48 LRVs.

"We will not in any way try to influence their independent assessment of the 48 cars from Dalian, at tayo po ay magdedesisyon base po sa kanilang recommendation. Kung sasabihin po nila na puwede po iyang patakbuhin ng kaagad-agaran, we will consider," Batan said.

"Kung sasabihin po nila ay patatakbuhin yan na may kinakailangang adjustments, we will consider, of course not at our expense. At kung sasabihin po nila na kailangang ibalik yan, ibabalik po natin yan,” he added.

Concerns were raised with the 48 LRVs procured by the Aquino administration for P3.8 billion after they exceeded the weight of 46,300 kilograms prescribed in the terms of reference but what CRRC-Dalian delivered weigh a total of 49,600 kilograms.

Apart from being overweight, the coaches' compatibility with the MRT3’s maintenance facilities and signaling system were also an issue.

Batan said that with the current fleet of Czech-made trains, MRT3 can operate up to 20 three-car car trains. If the 48 LRVs are cleared to run, that can be increased to 20 four-car trains.

"Ang original design capacity po ng MRT3 at peak hours is 20 three-car trains, running at 60-kph, with a three-minute headway. Ibig po sabihin niyan ay every three minutes dapat may dumarating na tatlong bagon," he said.

"At the same time po, MRT3 was also designed to be expandable to 20 four-car trains, running with a two-minutes headway, or apat na bagon kada dalawang minuto. Yan po ang target natin, at kung sakali pong ma-clear ng ating consultant ang 48 LRVs, ay mas maaga po nating magagawa yan," he added.

Batan said spare parts for the maintenance of MRT3 will start arriving in tranches from February to June, which were started to be procured in November last year.

He said the DOTr will utilize the Holy Week break, during which there will be no operations, to conduct general maintenance works on MRT3.

Batan also assured train commuters that there would be no fare increase while there is no substantial improvement of MRT3 operations, restoring convenience to its thousands of patrons daily. — RSJ, GMA News