Bombardier to supply parts, signaling system for MRT upgrade anew

Canadian firm Bombardier Transportation will supply the signaling system and spare parts that are necessary for the improvement and rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

 (PNA photo)

MANILA — Canadian firm Bombardier Transportation will supply the signaling system and spare parts that are necessary for the improvement and rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

This, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bombardier Friday for the procurement of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the signaling spare parts and signaling maintenance for MRT-3.

Under the MOU, the DOTr will procure an OEM signaling spare parts and two-year signaling maintenance contract from Bombardier via direct contracting and emergency procurement, pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.

This procurement mode was availed by the department due to the urgency of restoring MRT-3’s reliability and available.

The MOU comes after the railway system’s previous maintenance providers failed to purchase and maintain a sufficient inventory of OEM signaling spare parts; purchased and installed non-OEM parts; and failed to adequately maintain, renew, and upgrade MRT-3’s signaling system.

“For years, among the top 3 most frequent causes of MRT-3 breakdowns are signaling-related issues. For years, non-OEM signaling spare parts were used and installed, in an effort to save on costs and increase profit at the expense of MRT-3’s safety and reliability. For years, MRT-3’s signaling system was not maintained properly, and was not upgraded when due. That is why this time, we want to be sure that we get the right spare parts and that we maintain the system right. Bombardier‘s track record is exceptional. They are the original manufacturer of MRT-3’s signaling system, and we are directly dealing with Bombardier, not a JV, not a consortium, not any middleman,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The signing ceremony held in Pasay City and attended by officials from Bombardier, Canadian Ambassador John Holmes, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan and DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra.

Bombardier is the company that designed, supplied, commissioned, and maintained the MRT-3 signaling system for its first 12 years of operations.

It is the OEM and proprietary rights owner of the Cityflo 250 Light Rail and Metro Signaling Solution, the signaling system used in the MRT-3.