Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 3) — Rehabilitation works for the aging Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) got more funding to include possible capacity expansion in the future.
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The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved a ₱7.6-billion increase in the rehabilitation fund as recommended by the Department of Transportation, or from ₱21.9 billion to ₱29.6 billion.
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“This project involves upgrading MRT 3 to its original as-designed state with provision for capacity expansion in the future,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. “All subsystems will be restored, renewed, or upgraded, including the tracks, signaling system, power supply system, overhead catenary system, and communications system, as well as maintenance and station equipment.”
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The expansion would “involve integrating other MRT 3 related projects, such as the common station, the Dalian trains, and the transition to a 4-car train configuration,” he told reporters, referring to the central hub in Quezon City connecting MRT 3, LRT 1, and MRT 7, and the trains from China.
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Asked if the expansion would result in fare increase, Balisacan said the project contract was designed to prevent sharp or unjustifiable hikes.
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“Hindi mangyayari ‘yan na [That won’t happen] even if in the future i-PPP [public-private partnership] yung [the] operations and maintenance, nakita niyo naman [you’ve seen] with the public operations the experience is not good,” he explained.
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“We think that a private sector operating it is likely to give a better experience for passengers as we see in other countries, not the construction but the operation and maintenance,” he added.
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The MRT 3 first saw rehabilitation in 2018.
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Further improvements would be on top of the MRT 3 rehabilitation completed last year, said former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
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Meanwhile, the DOTr said on Friday that it completed the overhaul of all 72 of its train cars.
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