DOTC names new service providers for faulty MRT

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) on Wednesday disclosed the new contractors for some of the maintenance services needed by the problem-plagued Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

According to the DoTC, contracts have been awarded for four of the seven service components of the rail system. These are for the rail tracks and permanent ways, buildings and facilities, communications systems, and ticketing or automated fare collection systems.

The maintenance contracts cover a six-month period beginning July 5 and should meet the MRT’s daily operating requirements until the services of a long-term maintenance provider are procured, the agency said.

The DoTC said the contract for the rail tracks, worth P23.9 million, went to Jorgman-Korail-Erin Marty Joint Venture, while that for the buildings and facilities, worth P23.35 million, went to Global Epcom Service Inc.

The communications systems, covered by a P7.28-million deal, was assigned to Trilink Technologies Inc., while Future Logic Corp. won the ticketing maintenance contract worth P6.95 million.

The four maintenance providers were procured through what the DOTC called a multidisciplinary approach, wherein the agency would engage subcontractors directly.

The three other components are rolling stocks and depot equipment, power supply and overhead catenary system, and conveyance systems.

The DOTC tried twice to bid out a three-year maintenance contract—in September 2014 and in January 2015—but both auctions were declared failures.