DOTC extends interim maintenance contract for MRT3

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has extended the six-month interim contract of the maintenance contractor of Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT3) by two more months due to the delay in the bidding process.

In a notice of award, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the agency has extended the contract for the provision of interim maintenance services for MRT3 to PH Trams CB & T joint venture for a total consideration of $2.3 million.

Abaya approved Bids and Awards Committee Resolution P-GS-AMP-2013-26 extending the interim maintenance services contract of PH Trams CB & T joint venture that expired last April 19 to June 19.

He pointed out that the agency is in the process of conducting a public bidding for the provision of a one-year temporary maintenance service contract for MRT3 system worth P712.77 million but the deadline for the submission of bids was extended to May 16 instead of April 15 as four of the five prospective bidders sought extension to prepare their qualification documents.

“Considering that the procurement may not be completed within a reasonable period of time after the expiration of the contract, there is a need to extend the same for the continued provision of maintenance services for the MRT3 system,” he added.

Last October, the DOTC awarded a contract for the maintenance of the MRT3 to PH Trams-CB&T JV. The interim maintenance provider of the MRT 3 is for six months while it conducts the procurement process for a regular maintenance provider for the train line.

PH Trams-CB&T JV was awarded the contract as it offered the lowest monthly maintenance cost of $1.15 million compared to two other firms which submitted proposals such as Sumitomo TES-P Inc. and Miescor Railway/Genials JV.

The contract between the MRTC and Japanese firm Sumitomo Corp. has been extended four times.

Abaya explained that the contemplated extension is merely an emergency measure to maintain status quo in the operations of the DOTC and to avoid interruption of service and that the current service provider has not violated any provision of the original contract.

He added that the contract extension is being undertaken due to circumstances beyond its control and that the agency could not award a new contract within a month after the expiration of the original contract.

The mass rail transit system is the cornerstone of the agency’s integrated strategy to alleviate chronic traffic congestion along EDSA. The 17-kilometer MRT 3 from North Ave.in Quezon City to Taft Ave. in Pasay City ferry about 600,000 passengers a day or way above its original design capacity of 350,000 passengers a day.

The DOTC has deferred the deadline for the submission of bids of a contract worth P3.8 billion for the acquisition of 48 new light rail vehicles for MRT3 to May 30 instead of April 30 as it is currently reviewing the offer made by Metro de Madrid of Spain to provide second hand trains

Under the expansion program, the government would acquire 48 new trains to augment the current fleet of 73 Czech-made trains.and to be able to use a four-car trains that would arrive every 2.5 minutes from the current service of three-car trains that arrive every three minutes during peak hours.