Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) awarded on Thursday (July 16) the seventh and final maintenance contract for the Metro Rail Transit Line (MRT-3).
The P8.17 million contract requires International Elevator & Equipment, Inc. (IEEI) to maintain the MRT-3’s 66 Mitsubishi-brand conveyance facilities, as they are also the brand’s exclusive distributor in the country.
IEEI will handle the maintenance of 34 escalators and 32 elevators in various MRT-3 stations. Twelve Schindler-brand escalators were not included in IEEI’s contract, as they will instead be rehabilitated by the Jardine Schindler Elevator Corporation.
The DOTC expects that the deal will especially benefit MRT-3 commuters with special concerns such as senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.
Six other contracts have previously been awarded for the maintenance and upkeep of various MRT-3 components, namely:
Rail Tracks and Permanent Ways: Jorgman-Korail-Erin Marty JV
Buildings and Facilities: Global Epcom Services, Inc.
Communication Systems: Trilink Technologies, Inc.
Ticketing System: Future Logic Corporation
Rolling Stocks, Depot Equipment and Signaling: Schunk Bahn-und Industrietechnik GmbH – Comm Builders & Technology Phils. Corp. JV
Power Supply and Overhead Catenary Systems: MRAIL, Inc.
Related: Meralco subsidiary to handle upkeep of MRT-3 power systems
The DOTC previously stated that these six-month contracts are only a temporary solution, and that the end goal is to have a stable three-year contract with a single maintenance provider.
