MRT expansion hits hurdle

By: 10 years ago

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Corporation head told a House panel that the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Makati court would delay the expansion project that seeks to add 48 train coaches to the MRT.

MRT general manager Al Vitangcol said in a transportation committee hearing Wednesday that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) would have to respect the TRO.

“At present, there will be a delay because the position of the department is we would respect the TRO,” he told the solons.

Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 66 granted the petition of MRT Corp. and MRTC Limited (MRTCL) to issue a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implementation of the DOTC MRT-3 Capacity Expansion project.

This is because the DOTC procured the 48 coaches from CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. despite an agreement that only gives the right to MRTCL.

Under the built-lease-transfer agreement between MRTC Ltd. and DOTC, the MRTC and MRTC Ltd. have the right to supply the train coaches except when there is a breach of contract or when the firm allows the DOTC to use vehicles not provided by MRTC.

The expansion project seeks to increase the capacity of MRT in a bid to decongest the number of passengers.

Vitangcol said that at the most, the MRT has a maximum capacity 540,000 passengers per day.