DOTC awards MRT signaling system to 2 firms

MANILA, Philippines - The contract for the signaling system of the Metro Rail Transit 3 was awarded to two firms before the end of 2015, The STAR learned yesterday.

The signaling system maintains safe distances between trains and controls its speed.

Bombardier Transportation Signal (Thailand) Ltd. bagged one of the contracts in September for P53,374,050, while South Korean-Filipino consortium Busan Transportation Corp. and Edison-Tramat Mercantile-TMI Corp.-Castan Corp. won the contract for P888 million in December.

A notice of award posted on the website of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Sept. 29 said the contract with Bombardier was signed by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, MRT 3 general manager Roman Buenafe and DOTC Undersecretary for procurement and administration Catherine Gonzales.

Under the contract, the signaling system of MRT 3 will be replaced by April this year. It also provides for the availability of spare parts for the efficient operation of the train system.

Sources said Bombardier would take charge of the upgrading of the signaling system, including the replacement of three outdated computers at the stations on North Avenue in Quezon City, Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City and Taft in Pasay City.

Bombardier will also install, test and commission support of the new signaling system and train MRT 3 personnel on proper operation and maintenance.

The notice of award of the contract to Busan dated Dec.  23, 2015 was signed by Undersecretary for operations and head of procuring entity Edwin Lopez and Eldonn Ferdinand Uy of the South Korean-Filipino joint venture.

Sources said Busan would handle the signaling system along the revenue line from North Avenue to the Taft stations. The consortium will also take charge of the point machines, signal lights, bails and the complete train control system along the tracks.

Another notice of award showed the contract for the signaling system was part of a P3.8-billion, three-year contract with Busan. The overhaul of coaches and maintenance work of MRT 3 are also part of the contract.

Abaya and Buenafe did not respond when asked for comment.