Former MRT contractor washes its hands of glitches

THE company that until recently provided maintenance services for the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) denied having any involvement in the recent mishaps involving the crumbling train system.

“The very serious recent incidents involving the MRT3, including the reduction in the number of running trains, at least did not occur during BURI’s service,” Busan Universal Railways Inc. (BURI) said in an emailed statement.

The reduced number of running trains and the accidental unhitching of a coach from the other train cars while in between the Ayala and Buendia stations “show that the [Department of Transportation] doesn’t appear ready to assume our work,” BURI said.

Owing to frequent and recurring train breakdowns, the government had to resort to deploying buses to lessen the congestion of commuters using the MRT-3 last week.

With the train system now completely under the government, BURI recommended that the DOTr should be checked even more thoroughly.

Even though its contract has been terminated, the company underscored the importance of an overnight train preparation, an inspection, and the driver’s confirmation which should be done together with the regular maintenance work under the supervision of engineers.

“The MRT3 is now entirely in the control of the government. It must be asked what are the qualifications of the engineers presently responsible for the maintenance after the BURI contract was suddenly terminated and its expert engineers were immediately banned from entering the depot,” BURI said.

SENATE PROPOSALS: EMERGENCY SERVICES, DOOR PANELS
These glitches — including an incident in which a rushing train severed an awaiting passenger’s arm from her body — have prompted three senators to propose solutions to the train mess.

“We need to reverse this situation by mandating local government units to establish emergency dispatch centers with adequate and qualified personnel,” Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, the Senate’s local government committee chairman, said.

While MRT staff are trained to respond to emergencies, no MRT staff was on the platform at the time of the incident except for two security guards who assisted the victim who lost her arm.

Mr. Angara has called for the passage of the Senate Bill (SB) 1573 which mandates the development and institutionalization of emergency medical services system to ensure that there are enough qualified emergency medical service personnel in the country.

For her part, Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, sought to temporarily halt MRT operations.

“If it is necessary to stop the operations, we know that 500 thousand passengers will be affected. But if we think about the possibly of casualties due to negligence, then we probably have to take this,” she said in Filipino.

Ms. Poe also expressed dismay over the management of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“The DOTr has to present their plans. What should be done if we stop the operations and how long the rehabilitation will take?” Ms. Poe added.

Meanwhile, Senate committee vice chair for public services and public works Joseph Victor G. Ejercito proposed that MRT maintenance should be entrusted to Sumitomo again.

“Sumitomo…has a good track record and has knowledge of MRT or any equally capable company which has capability to operate and maintain the MRT,” Mr. Ejercito said.

Autre Porte Technique Global Inc. (APT Global) replaced Sumimoto for the maintenance work for the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) on September 5, 2013.

Mr. Ejercito also proposed that the “DOTr should look into installing glass panels with doors that open synchronized with trains in the platform, similar to what HK MTR did when there were accidents that happened before.” — Anna G. A. Mogato and Arjay L. Balinbin