DOTr's consultant helps to certify Dalian trains for MRT 3

Raizza T. Dauz | January 17, 2018.

Photo from Philstar.com

An independent audit consultant (IAA) will evaluate and make recommendations on the feasibility of using 48 light rail vehicles (LRVs) that was delivered by the Chinese railway firm CCRC Dalian and other parts of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3).

“Na-deliver na po ’yung mga bagon but we are unable to accept them unless our IAA consultant has certified their safety and compatibility with our system,” DOTr Officer in Charge Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) obtained the services of IAA and the MRT management has already met with the winning IAA consultant international certification firm TUV Rheinland on January 3.

“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. 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,” Batan said.

The DOTr is certain that it would not control the assessment of the IAA on the 48 LRVs.

Likewise, the MRT 3 management would be orchestrating a general maintenance works during the Holy Week break, as they expected that the delivery of new spare parts essential to increase the number of trains in the railway system.

Fare hike will not be implemented while there are no significant improvements in the MRT operations.

Concerns have been raised with the 48 LRVs acquired by the previous administration for P3.8 billion after they surpassed the weight advised in the terms of reference (49, 700 kg vs. 46, 300 kg)

The DOTr guaranteed that it would execute upgrades on the electrical system and track configurations of the railway system by the second quarter of 2018.