BUSAN Universal Rail Inc. refuted the claim of lawmakers that it has no capacity to maintain the MRT-3 system and deliver its contract commitments to the Transportation Department and MRT-3 management.
“We would like to reiterate our previous report to the riding public that we are near to bringing the MRT-3 system to its optimum operating capacity, with service interruptions, train removals, and line stoppages being kept at a minimum through improved maintenance, despite the system’s aged fleet,” lawyer Charles Perfecto Mercado, BURI spokesperson said.
“We remain steadfast in pursuing our goal of establishing a fast, safe, and secure public transport system for Metro Manila,” he added.
Mercado added that the company will continue to assist the DOTr and MRT management to meet mutual objectives in making the MRT-3 system relatively trouble-free and keep it operating efficiently.
At the start of the project, BURI purchased start-up spare parts so that it could restore broken-down cars. All spares were inspected and approved by DOTr.
“To date, BURI has put 65 train cars in good running condition. BURI, on the average, restored two to three cars every month since its contract started in January, to be able field up to 22 trains [consisting of three cars each] at revenue line during peak periods,” Mercado said.
Peak runs are backed up by one reserve train of three cars at the connecting track, and two reserve cars at the depot.
Average passengers have increased to almost half a million following BURI’s restoration of 26 cars since early 2016.
BURI’s statement came after Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta or PBA Rep. Jericho Nograles claimed the company has no spare parts to maintain the MRT-3 system and has not complied with its commitment to overhaul the 43 MRT-3 coaches.
BURI, on the other hand said, the company has three years to overhaul the 43 MRT-3 coaches under its contract with the government.
Undersecretary for rails and toll roads Cesar Chavez said his agency is reviewing the two components of BURI’s contract.
These components are the P1.1-billion contract to overhaul 43 old trains and P888-million signaling system.
In January 2016, the Transport Department signed a P3.8-billion three-year contract with the joint venture among Busan Transportation Corp., Edison Development & Construction, Tramat Mercantile Inc., TMICorp Inc., and Castan Corp.
