DOTr: MRT power supply must improve before more trains are deployed

The power supply capacity of the Metro Rail Transit system must first be improved before additional trains can be used, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday.

At the fourth Senate hearing on emergency powers for solving the traffic problem, Transportation Undersecretary Noel Kintanar disclosed that 48 new MRT cars – equivalent to 12 trains – will be in the country by January 2017.

The trains will have to be "equipped with signaling system," Kintanar said, noting that 38 cars are already in the country but without such system.

The bigger problem lies in the power supply, since putting in a four-car train configuration would increase capacity by 33 percent, the official noted.

"[T]he real constrain on MRT is power supply. Right now we are using 20 three-car trains. Kung dadagdagan, 'di kaya ng ating substation," Kintanar said.

While the deliberations on emergency powers are ongoing, the department has started the procurement process for the power supply.

Dalian Locomotive

Kintanar said the government is eyeing to award the supply contract this month, with the bids and awards committee now evaluating bids.

But it may take a year before the much needed power supply upgrade arrives.

"We are thinking 12 months, but we will push this as fast as we can. Hopefully, next year we can deploy longer trains. Conservatively ... second to third quarter. This is what's being done in EDSA LRT Line 3," Kintanar said.

Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, asked if the new coaches that from China's Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. can now be used.

"It will be used once the signaling system arrives and after the 1,500-km test," Kintanar replied.

"But we're just going to replace trains that are less reliable. If power supply increases, ang target ko, you can be rest assured we will push for the contractor to deliver as soon as possible," he added. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/VDS, GMA News