Solon hits MRT-3 maintenance provider anew for inefficiency, calls for House probe

An administration lawmaker on Friday slammed anew the maintenance provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) for its negligence and inefficiency in the upkeep of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) system. (PNA photo)

MANILA—An administration lawmaker on Friday slammed anew the maintenance provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) for its negligence and inefficiency in the upkeep of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) system.

In a statement, PBA Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles said BURI displayed “incompetence” in holding up its end of the bargain as the maintenance provider of the ailing MRT-3, which is constantly marred by technical glitches.

Nograles cited an example wherein BURI took two whole months before it could replace a broken light bulb.

“If it takes BURI two months before it can actually replace a simple light bulb, just imagine how long it would take for them to replace critical spare parts needed to ensure the smooth operation of the entire train system,” he added.

Nograles lamented that the maintenance provider could not provide any justifiable explanation for the train glitches and mishaps bugging the system.

Nograles said this lack of valid explanation should prompt the House Committee on Transportation to immediately conduct a probe on BURI’s maintenance service contract and other alleged irregularities in the MRT.

The partylist solon has filed House Resolution No. 787 which directs the Transportation panel to investigate BURI and MRT-3’s train coach supplier Dalian Locomotive

Earlier, Nograles criticized BURI over the first case of derailment on MRT-3 whole service history that took place last Tuesday (April 22) at the North Avenue Station.

The Transportation Department is mulling to review its contract with the MRT-3 maintenance provider BURI for its substandard services.

According to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Cesar Chavez, there were a total of 116 unloading incidents since the start of 2017.

For its part, BURI said that the system’s rails need immediate replacement to fix the persistent breakdowns in train service.

In a recent press briefing, corporate secretary and legal counsel Charles Perfecto Mercado said the company had recommended to the DOTr that the rail lines should be fixed as the 18-year old MRT Line 3 as it is already “aging”.

“It is unfair to put the blame solely on the maintenance service provider for every incidence of train stoppage. We have been consistent in providing the maximum number of 20 trains during peak hours and performed the required methods and frequency of specific maintenance steps of the trains and the whole system,” BURI said in a statement.