parang nabasa ko they will resume on Monday, April 9.

no LRT's and MRT's on april 5-9... :) thursday till monday.

^^ Based on the papers, LRT will have no train operations from APRIL 5-9 while MRT from APRIL 5-8. So, April 9, MRT will resume operations already.

yan.. so that's it.. kasi sa MRT Boni... yun nga nabasa ko.. Operation resumes on APril 9.

^^ Based on the papers, LRT will have no train operations from APRIL 5-9 while MRT from APRIL 5-8. So, April 9, MRT will resume operations already.

^^ MRT and LRT should also clean up their stations because of all the dust accumulated.

major clean up including the trains too, medyo iba ng amoy ng trains sa LRT2 eh... :D

^ Anong amoy?

Sana magawan ng paraan ng MRT management ung mga stairs nila na nag ooverlap sa side walks. Delikado kasi sa mga pedestrians wala ng madaan. Example ung sa boni at ortigas.

newly painted yung interiors ng MRT3 trains... share ko lang :)

Soon, no long lines for MRT cards (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04022007/headlines06.html)

By Lennie Lectura

Reporter

THERE is a move to eliminate queues in getting overhead railway tickets by employing electronic cards. There is also a promise by those concerned to continue innovative measures to make commuting easier with the use of electronics.

The new ticket system is being developed by Smart Communications, Inc. with MetroPass Systems, Inc. initially for the Metro Rail Transit-3 on Edsa using a Smart Money PayPass card.

MetroPass will set up electronic reloading establishments in all MRT stations next month. They can reload not only Smart pass cards but also all prepaid mobile phones, Internet, and other prepaid cards as well as Smart Padala cash-in and encashment centers.

Later, MetroPass will expand the network of reloading stations to commercial and transportation centers to reach more people.

“Our partnership with MetroPass is very strategic. Through the tie-up, we will be able to bring our innovative services closer to our 25 million subscribers and give them added convenience. Those with relatives working abroad, for example, will be able to claim their remittances at the booths in the MRT station. Reloading of the Smart Money card will also be easier since they can do it at the Smart booths in the stations, too. They can use the Smart Money card not only for transport fare payments, but also as payment tool in stores that accept MasterCard Electronic. It is more secure, since they no longer need to carry too much cash,” said Smart president Napoleon L. Nazareno.

MetroPass and its business and technology partners will also work in tandem with Smart to pioneer innovative mobile and Internet applications on their combined strengths in business processes and technology.

They predict this cooperation will culminate in a single “contactless” card that will empower people to purchase essential services such as transport, mobile phone reloading, bill payments, and remittances across physical, Internet and mobile spaces.

“Our partnership with Smart will help to improve the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of MRT commuters. We have been developing a comprehensive electronic payment system for the MRT, and the integration of Smart Money PayPass will bring us a step closer in providing the convenience, functionality, and security that commuters deserve,” said MetroPass chief executive officer Edwin P. Hui.

The MRT-3 or Metrostar Express runs through a 16.9-kilometer rail system along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue, Pasay City. It carries over 450,000 passengers daily. It plans to add more trains because the system is about to be overloaded.

“Whether it’s accomplished by adding additional trains, implementing electronic payment, or enabling innovative products, the rider is always first priority,” said Fil-Estate chairman Robert John L. Sobrepeña. MRT is a subsidiary of the listed realty firm.

Smart said its money card is the world’s first secure, re-loadable electronic cash card that can be linked to a mobile phone. Through the card, a Smart user can easily pay bills, transfer funds to another Smart Money card, do balance account checks, change personal identification numbers and even lock or unlock the card from the Smart Money menu in the mobile phone.

Smart Padala is, meanwhile, the first international cash remittance service through text.

^ wow...It only took them more than 7 years to make it easier to commute in the MRT:|

^^ I think Smart is just following up the lead of Globe's Pay pass also.

Bakit puro MRT lang? Dapat pati LRT na rin. :\

^Oo nga, and I hope yung para sa lahat na ng lines.

harang naman yung sa globe.. pag bumili ka may 1% deduction na agad.. tapos pag ginamit mo may 10% na dagdag naman sa original price.. tapos minsan ang tagal pa nang update.. hindi ba pwedeng same price na lang?? para gamitin sya nang tao.. kayang kaya naman nila bawiin yung overhead non sa ADs bakit kailangan mag charge pa sila??

^^ Extra income, kaso baka magbago yan pag lumabas na yung sa Smart. :D

taken from inquirer.net.. seems like good news finally.. the only question is when these trains would arrive...

Austria, Germany, Czech gov’ts may donate MRT coaches


Inquirer
Last updated 03:26am (Mla time) 04/04/2007

Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic have expressed interest in donating to the Philippines 30 train coaches for an “emergency capacity expansion” of Metro Manila’s overhead Metro Rail Transit (MRT), an official of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) said.

More trains have to be fielded immediately because daily passenger demand is expected to reach 600,000-700,000 by 2010, said Guiling Mamondiong, the department’s undersecretary for railway.

The MRT’s three-coach trams, running on the EDSA highway, have a combined capacity of 350,000 passengers a day but actually carry about 460,000, Mamondiong said.

Cost of acquisition and refurbishment of a coach is $1.0-$1.2 million, he said.

If no donation arrangements are finalized soon, the government might have to buy and refurbish the coaches on its own, he said.

Last year, Roberto Lastimoso, general manager of MRT operator Metropolitan Railway Transit Authority, said the MRTA was exploring how European trams, such as from Austria, could be refitted for use on the MRT.

He said the donation was long in coming because the transfer would also entail planning and expenses, noting for example that Austrian trams and the system used to run them are different from those being used in the Philippines.

The Viennese system uses 15kV DC instead of the 750V used at the MRT3 via overhead lines, he said. The coaches used in Austria are four centimeters lower from the tracks that the MRT stock, have folding instead of sliding doors, have heaters instead of air-conditioning units, and have back-to-back seats with narrow aisles instead of the seat rows preferred in Manila, he said. Riza T. Olchondra, with INQUIRER.net

^^ If they'd only link the MRT3 with LRT1 physically, there wouldn't be any need for donor trains. A lot of MRT3's problems would be solved that way. For example, they can easily field in rolling stock from each other when there is a need (i.e. peak hours). Plus LRT1's rolling stock is compatible anyway as oppose to Austrian trams.

^^

for me, a "donation" of used rolling stock is a testament to the gross inefficiency of the entire MRT project. Why is the most important rail transit line along the most important artery of MM scrambling to get donations when the other two lines have brand-new trains? *sigh* Perhaps the government shouldn't have bothered bidding out the MRT and had the LRTA handle the construction of the EDSA line.

^^ I agree. LRTA would have done a much better job.

Well , medyo ngayon na lang iyan. LRTA was for the longest time a money losing crummy operation, I still remember it having extremely bad service and dilapidated equipment. It's undergone numerous doleouts as well so the comparison is properly taken over a much longer timeframe.

That being said, MRT surely has it's own set of inefficiencies, including a low price which should be properly around 17 Php rather than the average Php 11. More importantly the owners have no interest in increasing efficiency as long as the current set up is in place that assures them of a fixed return, primarily from payments of the GOP to cover their ROI differentials. It's a bit more complex than common sense, as the 2020hindsight now was not so clear when it was bidout and done nearly 15 years ago when the GOP had no money to do such projects. Now with the world awash in capital the GOP has alternatives that would allow it to basically "buyout" the owners and operate it as their own. This bond deal should be done by years end and will allow the LRTA to operate the MRT, allowing it to put more vehicles and perhaps even connect it to the LRT1 line.

In any case I'm glad to hear that the long awaited Viennese trains is moving, even if it is much much more complicated (technically) than we originally thought.

Yes, the fare rate is too low to keep it well-maintained. Around the region, they charge more. The cheapest fare that some countries charge are, e.g.,
Singapore MRT: around Sing$ 0.66 (roughly PHP 20.90)
Hong Kong MTR (except the airport express): around HK$ 3.20 (about PHP 19.60)
Bangkok BTS: around 15 Baht (roughly PHP 22.00)
Taipei Metro: NT$20 (approx. PHP 29.00)

The Metro in Rome charges 1 Euro per ride, regardless of distance. And the coaches look like they're ready to fall apart, the stations are dark and damp, water leaks all over...

Nagiging paboritong site na ng mga taong nagpapakamatay ang LRT1. Last april 3 meron nanamang nasagasaan sa LRT1, sabi nila nag suiside daw. D ko lang alam kung sang station nangyari basta malapit sha sa edsa station. Almost 1 hour kaming nakahinto sa loob ng tren kasi d pa naalis ung katawan sa riles. Sana kung magpapakamatay sila wag sa LRT kasi ang daming taong naabala.:ohno:

Actually tumalon yun sa isang condo malapit sa Vito Cruz, kaso nagkataon dun sa tracks bumagsak kaya nasagasaan.

^^double dead:ohno:

^^ you better make sure na den diba, haha =)

Yes, the fare rate is too low to keep it well-maintained. Around the region, they charge more. The cheapest fare that some countries charge are, e.g.,
Singapore MRT: around Sing$ 0.66 (roughly PHP 20.90)
Hong Kong MTR (except the airport express): around HK$ 3.20 (about PHP 19.60)
Bangkok BTS: around 15 Baht (roughly PHP 22.00)
Taipei Metro: NT$20 (approx. PHP 29.00)

The Metro in Rome charges 1 Euro per ride, regardless of distance. And the coaches look like they're ready to fall apart, the stations are dark and damp, water leaks all over...

The subway in New York charges $3.50 or a whopping P175.00!!!!!! So super cheap talaga ang MRT and LRT natin. Actually in favor ako na taasan yung fare to P18 to P20 basta they will add more coaches para mas comfortable ang ride. In other countries, even tourists ride trains. so maganda din yung project na to for tourism in Metro. Hopefully in the future may station ng LRT sa Terminal 3 and Domestic terminals. :banana:

Yes, the fare rate is too low to keep it well-maintained. Around the region, they charge more. The cheapest fare that some countries charge are, e.g.,
Singapore MRT: around Sing$ 0.66 (roughly PHP 20.90)
Hong Kong MTR (except the airport express): around HK$ 3.20 (about PHP 19.60)
Bangkok BTS: around 15 Baht (roughly PHP 22.00)
Taipei Metro: NT$20 (approx. PHP 29.00)

The Metro in Rome charges 1 Euro per ride, regardless of distance. And the coaches look like they're ready to fall apart, the stations are dark and damp, water leaks all over...

But the thing is, people from those cities get a higher income than Metro Manilans.The current MRT fare is only affordable considering the income of Metro Manilans. Php 20.00 may be too high a price to pay. It could also lessen the volume of Edsa MRT ridership.

Some LRT2 Pics from flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/439410923_9892de2ed2.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/154856158_413990675a.jpg?v=0

http://l.yimg.com/www.flickr.com/images/spaceball.gif

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/271925362_1999a80fce.jpg?v=0

http://l.yimg.com/www.flickr.com/images/spaceball.gif

^^ LRT 2 really looks so world class. :)

^^ LRT 2 really looks so world class. :)

Indeed!...Sana huwag mababoy..:)

LRT-2 is one of the noisiest lines. Kahit di puno, parang breaktime/recess-time ng mga estudyante sa school, puro daldalan ang nagaganap. Reminds you of High School.

heheeh, kala ko yung train mismo ang maingay... kasi for me MRT 3 ang pinakamaingay na tren, eh kong maingay ang lrt2 eh sobrang ingay na talaga nun. ^^

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/271925362_1999a80fce.jpg?v=0

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/enjoybbs/viewphoto/pplace/4000/20070316117397668268629300.jpg

The LRT-2 and Korea's new Airport Express rolling stocks look similar. Same manufacturer, perhaps. :)

Actually we can already afford the higher fare. If the current train service is overcapacity, then the higher fare would be the proper way to control the overcrowding. The lower fares are primarily political.

Re overcrowding and suicide, the LRTA really should be looking at platform control devices, likes screens so that we can prevent accidents. Best to mandate it now while we only have less than 50 stations.

GOVERNMENT HOPES TO FINISH LINK PROJECT BY MIDDLE OF 2010

THE May 14 elections will not derail plans to interconnect Edsa Metro Rail Transit-III with the Light Rail Transit Line 1 through the P6.4-billion LRT 1 North Extension Project, Luzon Urban Beltway champion Edgardo D. Pamintuan said Tuesday.

The assurance was made because of apprehension that the May elections would put the project in the backburner as expressed by a group, which called itself Edsa Para sa Masa.

The project is under way with the initial prerequisite processes being undertaken, Pamintuan explained in a statement.

“I can assure everybody that this project will not be delayed by the senatorial and local elections. As soon as we have completed the preconstruction procedures, we will immediately start the civil works. So far, we are on schedule,” he said.

The 5.4-kilometer elevated railway, which will close the loop of the MRT and LRT lines around Metro Manila, will replace the scrapped Edsa Metro Rail Transit-III Phase 2 after a serious dispute with its private sector proponents.

There are government plans to float bonds or IOUs to raise at least $120 million that would fund the project that would feature three stations: Balintawak, Muñoz and North Avenue.

“Our schedule is to finish the project by mid-2010 and that is where our attention is focused on. This project will increase corridor transport capacity and provide convenient, safe and fast transport mode; contribute to urban renewal and reduce noise and air pollution level. I can’t see any basis for that fear that the elections might cause delay,” Pamintuan said.

The interconnection undertaking is among the priority infrastructure for the super region aside from the P20 billion worth of megaprojects: the Daang Hari-Slex Line Road, the Cavite-Laguna North-South Expressway (Stage 1), the C6 Lakeshore Expressway, the North Luzon East Expressway, the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road 2, the Edsa Rehabilitation Project, the Southrail Project Phase 1-A, the LRT Line 1 Naia Connector, the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 and the MWSS Angat Water Utilization Aqueduct.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/02282007/economy01.html

taken from philstar.com..

Palace bares 8 priority railway projects worth $4.23 B
By Marvin Sy
The Philippine Star 04/17/2007

The government will soon complete eight priority railway projects worth $4.23 billion (P203 billion) that will inter-connect the mass transport lines of Metro Manila and improve commuter access to the Luzon provinces.

Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde, who is also head of the Infrastructure Monitoring Task Force, noted that the projects include the expansion of existing mass transit systems and the upgrading and rehabilitation of existing railroad systems.

Remonde said the projects would allow commuters easy access to Bulacan and Pampanga in the north and Laguna, Quezon and Bicol in the south from Metro Manila and vice versa.

"These priority railway projects will cut travel time, reduce travel and transport cost, abate traffic and air pollution, attract investments and stimulate overall countryside growth," Remonde told reporters during his weekly briefing at Malacañang.

Remonde pointed out that seven of the railway projects are in the Luzon Urban Beltway and include five new lines.

The northrail from Caloocan to the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga features a double-track at grade and elevated carriageway and utilizes diesel-powered locomotives or rolling stocks.

Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1, which currently goes from Baclaran, Pasay-Parañaque to Monumento in Caloocan City, will be extended for another 5.4 kilometers to connect it with the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) North Avenue, Quezon City station.

The same mass transport system will also be extended from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite for a total distance of 11.7 kms. It will have eight stations and an option for two more stations.

LRT Line 1 from Baclaran will also be connected to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City, a 6.2-km. extension with four single track passenger stations.

Remonde said this connection would serve around 40,000 passengers per day during the initial year of operation and would put the NAIA at par with other international airports served by commuter trains.

A new mass transit line, the MRT-7, will be constructed from Tala, Caloocan City to the MRT-3 North Avenue Station.

This involves a combined 23 kms for the MRT line and a 22-km road access from the Marilao exit of the North Luzon Expressway.

From Tala, the MRT will pass through Lagro/Fairview along Quirino Avenue in Novaliches, then along Commonwealth Avenue up to the North Avenue-MRT-3 station.

Remonde said this would also provide for an elevated rail connection to LRT 2 at the Katipunan-Aurora Blvd. section.

The country’s railroad systems connecting Metro Manila to the North and South Luzon will also be rehabilitated.

Actually we can already afford the higher fare. If the current train service is overcapacity, then the higher fare would be the proper way to control the overcrowding. The lower fares are primarily political.

Re overcrowding and suicide, the LRTA really should be looking at platform control devices, likes screens so that we can prevent accidents. Best to mandate it now while we only have less than 50 stations.

That primarily means sucking the wallet of metro manila mrt riders. Much worst putting a big hole on their pants pocket.
Providing a rightful service must not equate to controlling the number of riders by charging a higher fare that riders cannot afford. Everyone should be given the opportunity to use that service within their budget means. Public Transportation should be a right and not a privilege.

The proper way to respond to overcrowding problem is by investing in more trains to accommodate more riders particularly during rush hours.

I agree, S. Wholeheartedly. Except that to do that, you need to get the support of a congressman or a senator and you need to rely on the public really getting agitated over this matter to enable the kind of changes which you want to implement. Why? The MRT on EDSA was built by a consortium which includes the Ayala Group--which later sold its shares to another company--and the Sobrepeña family, the same family behind College Assurance Plans. The government--and therefore the Filipino public--entered into what appears to be an anomalous contract regarding the train system's construction and the fees they charge their riders. It's going to take a whole lot of political will to change that.

I was able to talk to an engineer from the National Transport Center in UP and he told me that when Gloria Arroyo in 2001 cut train fares to the rates which riders now pay--GMA did this to score brownie points with the public, this was after Edsa Tres--the government agreed to subsidize something like P40 to P60 per head so that riders could pay P14 or P12 per trip. Where does the government get that kind of money? From taxes. Kung baga, sa atin rin kinukuha yung pambayad, hindi nga lang in the form of ticket fares. Why were the subsidies that expensive in the first place? We're back to the contract on this one. When government chose the consortium to build and initially operate the train system, the consortium reportedly made what appears to be unreasonable demands from government. Besides income tax breaks for a certain period, it probably asked for a lot of concessions like charging an unusually high fare for passengers since, the consortium said, people may take awhile to be accustomed to riding trains, especially one along Edsa. And since they weren't sure whether people would easily take to the Edsa train, they wanted their money plus profit back ASAP.

Meanwhile, barring political will, the best way I think is to raise train fares.

Why? You lessen passengers and you reduce capacity issues. The MRT on EDSA is overburdened because it is way too cheaper--and faster--to get where you're going, compared to the bus. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it costs more to get to Cubao to Ortigas on a bus than on the train. Why? Go ask GMA when she cut the fares October 2001.

My second contention: raising train fares will cut vehicular traffic along EDSA. Right now, buses compete with other bus lines for passengers along Metro Manila's main thoroughfare. In doing so, they take their own sweet time waiting for passengers on bus stops, thereby delaying passengers and other motorists. Why? There are fewer passengers. Owing to lower train fares, people with less money take the train, adding to the system's strain. If you raise train fares, say P30 to P35 the whole way, from North Ave to Pasay, a lot of people will take the bus. More people on the bus means more buses taking less lines along bus stops and traffic easing up. Logical di ba?

I'm not saying that I like the MRT. I hate it. It's crowded, airconditioners don't work and all, but we can all help to make it a lot more comfortable. Best way to do that is through a market-enabled method: raise fares. You want to go faster on EDSA, you pay for it. But of course, this is a temporary solution.

On the long term, however, I'm with you except that what we need now are solutions that can immediately address the problem.

Your contention that raising fare will cut vehicular traffic along EDSA is but a mere theory. During the time that MRT had low ridership, the bus had already been waiting too long to leave the bus stops to pick up passengers. In fact, the traffic agents assigned on the bus stops have been practicing the pounding of the bus as a signal to leave even during tyhe time when when the mrt had low ridership. Furthermore, the psychology of the bus drivers (or any shrewd businessman) is to get more and more and more and more people until the bus becomes SRO. The driver’s minds are already conditioned that way, to block the bus stops for a long time. And if bus companies see the SRO, they will add more buses to ply that route.More buses worsten traffic the traffic situation. Therefore the Bus bottleneck in EDSA would not be resolved by raising MRT fare to lower the ridership and force people to take buses.

Public Transportation should be a right and not a privilege and should be within the budget means of the masses not the few.

taken from philstar.com..

Palace bares 8 priority railway projects worth $4.23 B
By Marvin Sy
The Philippine Star 04/17/2007

The government will soon complete eight priority railway projects worth $4.23 billion (P203 billion) that will inter-connect the mass transport lines of Metro Manila and improve commuter access to the Luzon provinces.

Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde, who is also head of the Infrastructure Monitoring Task Force, noted that the projects include the expansion of existing mass transit systems and the upgrading and rehabilitation of existing railroad systems.

Remonde said the projects would allow commuters easy access to Bulacan and Pampanga in the north and Laguna, Quezon and Bicol in the south from Metro Manila and vice versa.

"These priority railway projects will cut travel time, reduce travel and transport cost, abate traffic and air pollution, attract investments and stimulate overall countryside growth," Remonde told reporters during his weekly briefing at Malacañang.

Remonde pointed out that seven of the railway projects are in the Luzon Urban Beltway and include five new lines.

The northrail from Caloocan to the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga features a double-track at grade and elevated carriageway and utilizes diesel-powered locomotives or rolling stocks.

Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1, which currently goes from Baclaran, Pasay-Parañaque to Monumento in Caloocan City, will be extended for another 5.4 kilometers to connect it with the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) North Avenue, Quezon City station.

The same mass transport system will also be extended from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite for a total distance of 11.7 kms. It will have eight stations and an option for two more stations.

LRT Line 1 from Baclaran will also be connected to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City, a 6.2-km. extension with four single track passenger stations.

Remonde said this connection would serve around 40,000 passengers per day during the initial year of operation and would put the NAIA at par with other international airports served by commuter trains.

A new mass transit line, the MRT-7, will be constructed from Tala, Caloocan City to the MRT-3 North Avenue Station.

This involves a combined 23 kms for the MRT line and a 22-km road access from the Marilao exit of the North Luzon Expressway.

From Tala, the MRT will pass through Lagro/Fairview along Quirino Avenue in Novaliches, then along Commonwealth Avenue up to the North Avenue-MRT-3 station.

Remonde said this would also provide for an elevated rail connection to LRT 2 at the Katipunan-Aurora Blvd. section.
The country’s railroad systems connecting Metro Manila to the North and South Luzon will also be rehabilitated.

i dont seem to recall any plans for a connection to Lrt2?

so do they mean na magkaka spur line from commonwealth(mrt7) papuntang katipunan and UP to aurora blvd(lrt2 katips stN.)? mejo magulo.., baka typo lang.

That primarily means sucking the wallet of metro manila mrt riders. Much worst putting a big hole on their pants pocket.
Providing a rightful service must not equate to controlling the number of riders by charging a higher fare that riders cannot afford. Everyone should be given the opportunity to use that service within their budget means. Public Transportation should be a right and not a privilege.

The proper way to respond to overcrowding problem is by investing in more trains to accommodate more riders particularly during rush hours.

This is the easy answer but who will pay for it. Who will invest in that which will loose money, perhaps only the government, if it's a matter of public policy to subsidize certain services. But should there be no surplus budget to reallocate from other important needs for this, then the line will just deteriorate.

A right is the legal or moral entitlement to do or refrain from doing something in civil society. I do not understand how every citizen in the Republic is ENTITLED to public transportation. It's just a service that like all services should be paid for. If they can not afford it, they have the Choice of not using it or using a cheaper alternative.

Presently the line is severely overused and still not making money, so we are all subsidizing these people who use the line. The ironic part is that they can pay, the fare has not even been raised to approximate inflation!

In an instance where 99% of the people are subsidizing the 1% who use the line, and where that line is over used to the point of early deterioration of equipment and service, then GOP should either control the proper amount of people using it at the same rate but lose more money because of the greater subsidy (less people, less revenue, maintain the line) or raise the fare and let the people who use the service decide if the price is ok with them or not so they can use an alternate service, raise your revenue with less subsidy. It seems obvious to me what would be better for the greater number of taxpaying citizens in the long run.

i dont seem to recall any plans for a connection to Lrt2?

so do they mean na magkaka spur line from commonwealth(mrt7) papuntang katipunan and UP to aurora blvd(lrt2 katips stN.)? mejo magulo.., baka typo lang.

I guess it is a spur line. I just feel bad that they're thinking of building this just now. I've been having problems on attending meetings in Ateneo, since I live far (in Fairview).

^^ That spur line is really an excellent idea as it will connect LRT 2 with MRT 7. I just hope that the structures will not spoil the beauty of the area.

I've read about that spur line long time ago when they released plans for MRT7... it was posted here before...

If I'm not mistaken it will connect Tandang Sora Station of MRT7 to the Katipunan Station of LRT2... passing thru Katipunan Ave...

I think they said that it will also help increase the usage of LRT2...

I know it will be asking much but I hope the spur line will be underground considering the LRT 2 Katipunan station is underground.

^^ I doubt it but I am curious on how on earth could they possibly build a spur line from Tandang Sora Station to Katipunan Station. If elevated, I'm sure La Vista, Ayala Heights and even the schools and businesses along Katipunan Ave will scream bloody murder. If underground, the costs would be astronomical.

^^ Aside from those usual suspect, there will also be some right of way problems along the way since the road from T sora to UP is really quite narrow and there'll be a need to expand the road.

i hope that spur line is true... please.., let it be true.. :) hahaha... it would be easier for me to go to sm north edsa from antipolo. :)

well.. there was a plan to extend C5 upto Mindanao Ave right... which would mean expanding Tandang Sora section...

This is the easy answer but who will pay for it. Who will invest in that which will loose money, perhaps only the government, if it's a matter of public policy to subsidize certain services. But should there be no surplus budget to reallocate from other important needs for this, then the line will just deteriorate.

A right is the legal or moral entitlement to do or refrain from doing something in civil society. I do not understand how every citizen in the Republic is ENTITLED to public transportation. It's just a service that like all services should be paid for. If they can not afford it, they have the Choice of not using it or using a cheaper alternative.

Presently the line is severely overused and still not making money, so we are all subsidizing these people who use the line. The ironic part is that they can pay, the fare has not even been raised to approximate inflation!

In an instance where 99% of the people are subsidizing the 1% who use the line, and where that line is over used to the point of early deterioration of equipment and service, then GOP should either control the proper amount of people using it at the same rate but lose more money because of the greater subsidy (less people, less revenue, maintain the line) or raise the fare and let the people who use the service decide if the price is ok with them or not so they can use an alternate service, raise your revenue with less subsidy. It seems obvious to me what would be better for the greater number of taxpaying citizens in the long run.

Agree 100%. One has to be willing to pay the price for good service.

4 firms join Universal LRT in MRT-7 bidding

THREE foreign firms and one local are going to challenge Universal LRT Corp., the project proponent of the Metro Rail Transit-7, in the biggest infrastructure project yet of the Arroyo administration estimated to cost $1.23 billion.

The three foreign firms are Sumitomo Corp.; Worldchi Finance Group Ltd., an investment company based in Hong Kong; and China Communications Construction Group Ltd. The lone Filipino firm is Izumo Contractors.

The four companies recently purchased bid documents from the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for railway transportation projects.

Universal LRT was the fifth firm to purchase bid documents. “We just want to make sure that the terms and conditions are still the same. We are just being careful,” an official from the company said in an interview. The official gave the list of the four firms that purchased the bid documents.

Leandro Mendoza, Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), said Monday night that five firms purchased the bid documents.

“We will soon know if they are actually going to bid,” said Mendoza in a separate interview.

A prebidding conference was held two weeks ago. The four challengers have until June 26 to submit their bid proposals. The bids will be opened on the same day.

The committee has one month to determine if the offers are better than what Universal LRT had submitted.

“If they declare that there is a better proposal than ours then we have 30 days to match it. But for us, ours is already the best proposal. We do not really know if the would-be challengers are just fronting for somebody so we can not say if they are the principal or just representing another company,” said the official.

Universal LRT has submitted an unsolicited proposal to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the MRT Line 7 project under a build, gradual transfer, operate and maintain scheme, a variant of the build-operate-transfer contractual arrangement.

If, for some reason there will be no challengers, the government will finalize a contract with Universal LRT, a consortium led by EL International Holdings, a member of the EL Group of Companies of Hong Kong.

The project consists of a 23-kilometer rail transit system with 14 stations to be connected to the MRT-3 North Avenue station in Quezon City, stretching all the way to Commonwealth Avenue, Regalado Avenue, Quirino Avenue extension up to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and a 22-km access road component.

Universal LRT chief executive officer and managing director Eli Levin has said that given the magnitude of the investment and the stringent requirements of the government, he doubts that their proposal will be matched.

The proponent said it will finance the project financing from a combination of debt and equity. “There will be a $309-million equity investment and $926-million debt,” he said.

Of the $926 million, Levin said $126 million will be in a form of untied loans to finance the civil works portion of the project. A number of foreign banks have already expressed interest to facilitate the loan. The remaining $800 million will be sourced from export credit agencies.

Meanwhile, the $309-million equity will be equally shouldered by the contractors, multilateral institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank and real-estate developer.

“There will be an equity investment coming from people who have interest in the project,” said Levin.

The closing of the project’s financial aspect is expected to happen 18 months after the contract is awarded to Universal LRT, Levin added.

“If we can have the final contract signed by June this year then we could start construction at the end of 2008 and finished it by mid-2012,” said Levin.

Under the proposed contract, the government will support the MRT-7 project by making a total of $108 million in advance payments to Universal LRT for 10 years.

Funding will come from the taxes that will be paid by the township project. The MRT-7 project has a real-estate component to allow the government to sufficiently recover the subsidy that it would provide.

The revenue from the property during the 25-year period is expected to reach $4.4 billion.

The consortium had planned to construct 2,500 residential units and 300 office units every year on a 174-hectare area in Bulacan. Universal LRT had also planned to construct a 22-kilometer road and a 20-hectare bus and train depot in the same area.

Fares for the railway system, designed to decongest the East Avenue and Commonwealth corridor, will be pegged at an average of P27. This will go up every year. --L. Lectura

wow.. start by end of 2008.. thats a long time from now.. i hope that all goes smoothly..

^^ Remember that the MRT 3 extension has been delayed til now. So, let's just hope that all these timetables will be followed. However, as RP infrastructure goes, delay is always the name of the game.

sana wala nang mag-challenge sa bid ng mrt7 para matapos na yan! :)
-------------------------------------------



i took this pic last week.., tuesday ata.., bandang 11:00am northbound

MRT3...(there are actually available seats! hindi crowded! :lol: )

http://i10.tinypic.com/44a1npt.jpg

Took this photo a few minutes ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/happybiyatch/trinoma_edsa.jpg

(sorry about the rope thingee, I noticed it just now after I uploaded it from my friend's mobile thru IR)





repost from Mega Metro Manila Malls - T9

from morning to midday, southbound (from North to Taft) ang crowded sa mrt coz everyone is going to ayala, pag 4pm na until 10 pm, both north and south bound trains are already jampacked like sardines

Took this photo a few minutes ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/happybiyatch/trinoma_edsa.jpg

(sorry about the rope thingee, I noticed it just now after I uploaded it from my friend's mobile thru IR)

repost from Mega Metro Manila Malls - T9

at last... a more spacious north avenue station :D

WB to finance LRT, Bicol projects (http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2007050493177.html)

By LEE C. CHIPONGIAN

The World Bank will finance two of the 10 "ready to go" infrastructure projects earlier identified by the Department of Finance.

DoF yesterday said the World Bank will participate in funding the P6.209-billion Line 1 North Extension Project (LRT-1) and the P1.115-billion Bicol Emergency Power Restoration Project.

DoF Secretary Margarito B. Teves – in Washington recently for the International Monetary Fund World Bank Spring Meetings, said both the World Bank and the International Finance Corp. expressed willingness to "extend necessary enhancements/guarantees to attract private sector participation in the 10 (infrastructure) projects." These projects – all worth P83 billion — were presented during the Philippines Development Forum earlier in the year.

Teves said the World Bank could provide guarantees to unsolicited projects or projects not supported by the National Government. He said these guarantees are in the form of subsidies.

DoF Undersecretary Roberto Tan said this is not the first time that the NG has tapped the World Bank’s guarantee mechanism. He said in the 1990s the multilateral agency guaranteed an ROP bond offering to convince investors to purchase Philippine debt papers.

According to Teves, "providing guarantee to unsolicited projects (it is an unsolicited proposal when the government cannot provide subsidy) is a mechanism not new to the World Bank. (They) will extend guarantees to entice a private investor to invest in unsolicited proposals because they can now ensure themselves of a string of income that would enable them to cover their investments." The government cannot provide a guarantee if it is an unsolicited proposal however if it is part of the medium-term plan, the NG is mandated to support such project.

Last March the government named 10 "high-impact" infrastructure projects and offered these to donor and funding agencies. Priority projects include public works such as roads and bridges, irrigation (for agri-based sectors), rail and power projects.

The biggest infrastructure project worth P35.5 billion is the construction of the Light Rail Transit Line 6 which will extend the existing Line 1 from the Baclaran station to the cities of Paranaque, Las Pinas, and the adjoining municipalities of Bacoor, Imus, and Dasmarinas in Cavite.

^^ Whoo hoo!!!!! Finally some more positive reinforcement with regards to the LRT1 North extension! I hope they start actual construction soon! :yes:

LRTA is launching a smart card a la octopus!!!! I can't find any links online, but it's in today's newspaper :)

^^ yep saw it too.., parang atm ang itsura.., pero hindi de-swipe. (pareho ng technology nung sa mrt3 RFID ba un?) ang launching ata sa LRT, isang convenience store chain at isang fast food chain.. :) i hope its 7-11 and mcdo.. :) tatalon ako sa tuwa! :) cguradong magagamit ko to kasi sa LRT eh.. :)

^^ eh di hitsurang octopus card... hehe

yep, i saw this ad in the newspaper too.. hopefully it gets launched really really soon.. and would be implemented on all rail lines.. and on jeeps and buses as well.. so we dont need to carry too many coins.. hahaha.. wishful thinking ei?

parang sa singapore???

I think sa LRT ok. Sa Jeepney malabo, Sa buses it will take time.

I think with the current form of how non-rail based public transit are implemented here in the Philippines, Smart Cards are virtually impossible. It will require massive coordination with all the private bus operators out there in terms of revenue generation, which would eliminate the stiff competition and profit driven motivation that currently exists today.

I think with the current form of how non-rail based public transit are implemented here in the Philippines, Smart Cards are virtually impossible. It will require massive coordination with all the private bus operators out there in terms of revenue generation, which would eliminate the stiff competition and profit driven motivation that currently exists today.

Difficult, yes. Impossible, no way! There are people already working on this as we speak. Yours truly for one. :D Konting tiyaga and patience lang and we'll get all our plans off of the ground eventually. We just need a lot of support and coordination/cooperation from the parties involved. Sure it'll take some time but it all has to start somewhere/sometime. Might as well be now.. and by us.

Ika nga nila... "Kung hindi ngayon, kailan? Kung hindi tayo, sino?"

welcome @ gs chan I hope your efforts to rationalize the transport payment system will be forthcoming soon! Para wala nang pila pila or at least ma lessen , pati iyung pasig ferry dapat isama.

i think ang solusyon is to unite the two LRT/MRT companies under one corporation, and siguro dapat 5 bus companies lang meron na pang metro manila routes nila. problem is the cory admistration did not regulate the number of bus companies operating in metro manila kaya ang daming bus na bumabiyahe.

sana wala nang mag-challenge sa bid ng mrt7 para matapos na yan! :)
-------------------------------------------



i took this pic last week.., tuesday ata.., bandang 11:00am northbound

MRT3...(there are actually available seats! hindi crowded! :lol: )

http://i10.tinypic.com/44a1npt.jpg


I am stunned.

As for the funding news for the LRT and Bicol proyectos, I'm impressed!

^^ I've lived here in Metro Manila for six months now but only I had a chance to try out all three MRT/LRT lines in Metro Manila today. Just for fun, my friend and I were dropped off at Shang so we used MRT3 from Shaw Blvd to Taft, transfer to LRT1, then went to Rector, transferred to LRT2, then went to Cubao, transferred back to MRT3. I admit, I am a bit impressed with our rail system even at its present form.

This wasn't the first time I used MRT3 but for that afternoon, it wasn't that crowded at all (it was around 1:30 pm) and the ride was pretty fast and comfortable (this is the first time I've gone beyond Ayala). The transfer point from MRT3 to LRT1 wasn't that long of a walk but man! There were tons of people lining up to get to MRT3 its amazing how brutal it would be during rush hour.

At LRT1 EDSA station, we were very lucky to get into a 3G train! Its quite ultra modern looking and totally one of the best train coach I've ridden in that size category (comparing it with MRT3 coaches, as well as those from Calgary, Stockholm and San Francisco). We had to get off at Vito Cruz for an errand but when we went back, we ended up with a 2G train. That seems to be comparible with the MRT3 coach, both in the interior looks, a/c and even the doors. Despite the age and usage, the LRT1 guideways and tracks seem to be holding up pretty well. A true testament to the robustness of rail systems, even in third world cities.

The transfer point in Recto is a little less positive than the Taft transfer point. The walk was VERY far and I couldn't imagine it possible without that walk way. Recto station reminds me of the BART station in Montgomery St in SF for some reason. Its probably the whitish colour scheme and overall space. THe coaches of LRT2 reminds me of the Toronto subway cars in terms of size, layout and space, but that off the Vancouver Mark II skytrain cars in terms of the automation, display and even its relation to the trainsets going the opposite direction (i.e. distance between them). Its pretty world class and it saddens me that it couldn't be more comprehensive since it can totally serve the population densities of even our densest areas quite easily. That system could easily take on the Divisoria crowd if extended just a little bit beyond Recto.

Seeing Cubao for the first time in over 13 years is quite a treat by itself. Although the transfer point from LRT2 to MRT3 is probably even longer than the Recto transfer point, the way they integrated it with the malls helps a lot. It was about the start of rush hour but there was no line ups to get tickets. I couldn't imagine how brutally crowded the lines would be once the redevelopment is built the way it is shown in the Megaworld display. The MRT did arrive pretty filled up (it was already the start of rush hour) so I did experience being squished but like my previous experience a few months ago, it didn't really bother me given that the trains are still wide and high enough to accomdate its passengers within reason.

But nonetheless, the MRT/LRT lines seem to make such a huge impact to access strategic parts of our metropolis even in its present incomplete state. Regardless of whether MRT3 is overused, LRT2 is too short or LRT1 trainsets are inconsistent in their platform heights, experiencing all three systems first hand has given me an even greater appreciation of the impact of our rail lines to our metropolis. Just imagine how much of an improvement to the lives to more of our residents would be once LRT1 is fully extended to SM North and Bacoor and LRT7 is completed from SM North to Bulacan.

Govt to fast track takeover of MRT-3 operator
05/22/2007 | 05:10 PM

The Department of Finance wants to fast track its proposed take over of Metro Rail Transit Corp. to take advantage of lower interest rates and lessen pressure on the national coffers.

The Metro Rail Transit Corp. is the operator of the MRT-3, which runs along Edsa from Taft Avenue in Pasay to North Avenue in Quezon City.

In light of this, the Finance department has forwarded to the Development Budget Coordination Committee a buy out proposal that would cost the government as much as $720 million for the firm.

A source from the finance department said the buy out would help the government save on fare subsidies and interest payments to MRTC. The government, the source said, shells out at least P6.8 billion every year as subsidy for MRT-3 operations.

He also said the proposal would be subject to the conduct of due diligence on the valuation of MRT assets and the crafting of a negotiation strategy.

Instead of each passenger paying P60 for the entire stretch, the government subsidizes the P45 of the total fare as each passenger only pays P15. MRT-3 serves between 420,000 passengers to 430,000 passengers a day.

The Department of Transportation and Communications said the government likewise spends another P250 million in maintenance fees per month.

The source pointed out that the Finance department is looking into the possibility of a government-owned and controlled corporation issuing bonds to raise funds for the proposed take over. - GMANews.TV

^^ OH MY!!! I hope the government buys out the MRT3 and links its tracks to LRT1 at SM North!!! Man! Nothing beats a one seat ride seamless system (especially after seeing those ridiculously long lines at the MRT3 ticketing stations) and buying out the MRT3 from the incompetent MRTC is the only way to make that happen!

are the LRT1 and MRT3 tracks compatible?

^^ Yes, absolutely, most certainly, they are!!! :yes:

wow., good., :) but why isnt anyone proposing a seamless connection, even with the news of the govt takeover..,?

hope they could connect these., with LRTA as the operator,, :)

^^ They probably are proposing or studying it and I vaguely remember it must have been mentioned somewhere in these MRT/LRT threads wherein some government agency that I cannot remember (LRTA, DOTC, etc) was studying the techinical feasibility of linking the two lines. Well, we can only hope, I suppose... ;)

Government agencies involved in the construction of rail lines anywhere in the world always conduct these "studies" on even the most simplest and obvious things. For example, it took TWO YEARS and millions of dollars for Translink, the Vancouver transit agency, to conclude that guided buses with proprietory exotic technology found only in Europe (and in some cases, illegal in North America) are not a feasible technology for a suburban rapid transit system while something as obvious as an "off the shelf" LRT system found in 400 cities around the world, including ours, is. :|

Great Ride Report Queetz.

The news about the buyout was forthcoming but it would better if it was sooner so that final planning of the lrt1 to mrt3 linkup will be finished.

taken from the philippine star:

DBCC mulls government takeover of MRT Line 3

By Des Ferriols


Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is considering the possibility of a government takeover of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

The proposal was elevated by the Department of Finance (DOF) to the DBCC, the economic planning body headed by President Arroyo.

DBCC documents show that a due diligence study would be conducted on the valuation of MRT assets as well as craft the negotiation strategy to implement the takeover.

The takeover was first proposed by the DOF to plug a major fiscal leak since the government could not afford to continue subsidizing MRT operations.

DBCC records showed that the government is spending at least $3.3 million a month for equity payment and $1.67 million for maintenance costs to Japanese operator Tespi Corp., a subcontractor of Sumimoto Corp.

It was also estimated that the government is paying about P48 subsidy per passenger. With a daily volume ranging from 420,000 to 430,000 passengers, taxpayers are paying P20.46 million a day given the minimum fare of P10 a passenger.

The Department of Transportation and Communication said that the government’s plan to acquire the assets and equity of Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) would entail about $600 million in funding computed at net present value.

In 2006, it was estimated that buying out the MRTC would save the government almost $2 billion in interest payments to the consortium led by Fil-Estate Corp.

The net present value of the contract with MRT, according to official estimates, included a 15 percent return on interest for MRTC which the government wanted to bring down to about nine percent.

Buying out MRTC would give the government about $1.7 billion in savings for the remaining life of the 25-year build-lease-and-transfer contract that would end on 2025.

According to a DBCC source, the government has “failed to make payments to MRT3 several times” but MRTC has refrained from calling the government in default.

“They know it will be messy if they did, although they very well could,” said the source. “The easiest thing to do, really, is for government to take over.”

MRTC financed the construction of the EDSA MRT-3, a 16.9-kilometer modern rail system that stretched along EDSA’s 10.5-meter median from North Ave. in Quezon City to Taft Ave., Pasay City.

MRTC infused $190 million (P4.49 billion) in equity into the project and in 1997 the company also obtained loans worth $465 million (P12.32 billion) from the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and Japan Export-Import Bank (JEXIM); the Postal Bank of the Czech Republic and Czech Export Credit Agency; and a group of local banks.

The loans were backed by the government through a sovereign guarantee to cushion risks to investors and creditors, effectively assuring them of a steady income flow.

“We can no longer keep doing this even if our fiscal position is improving,” the DBCC source said. “It’s these individual leaks that keep putting pressure on the budget. We have to address all of them.”

The take-over plan is being discussed amid MRTC’s plans to increase the passenger capacity of MRT-3 from 350,000 passengers a day to 600,000.

^^ I read that article in Inquirer and immediately thought how happy queetz would be.:) It's great news nonetheless, line 1 and 2 seem better managed than 3.

excellent mrt/lrt ride report, queetz.:okay:

Takeover of MRT-3 won’t need new body (http://businessmirror.com.ph/05242007/headlines09.html)
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter

CONTRARY to the view of finance top brass, a transportation department official says there is no need to form a new agency to manage operations of the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) should the government’s takeover plan push through.

The Finance department, according to Undersecretary Gil Beltran, had indicated that another entity or government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) could be established to manage MRT-3 in case of a buyout.

When sought for comment, however, MRT-3 general manager Roberto Lastimoso said there will be no changes in managing the railway system even if the buyout is carried out.

“There is no need to form a new group because we are managing the system already. There will be no drastic changes. We are still going to manage the MRT-3,” said Lastimoso in an interview.

He said the buyout plan only entails the acquisition of the assets and equity of the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), the developer of the 16.9-kilometer railway. “The only change there” is a reduction in the subsidy, he said. “Savings from the subsidy will be used to bankroll the operational expenses of the railway system. In terms of new management, there is no need to create a new agency to handle the operations of MRT-3,” said Lastimoso.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is mulling over a government takeover of the MRT-3 to help the state reduce the subsidy cost.

Lastimoso had said the government is spending at least $3.3 million every month for equity payment and $1.67 million for maintenance costs to Japanese operator Tespi Corp., a subcontractor of Sumimoto Corp.

The government is also subsidizing the fares at about P48 per passenger.

If the buyout plan is pursued, the government would have to shell out an estimated $600 million to acquire the assets and equity of MRTC.
Savings will amount to some $2 billion in interest payments to the MRTC.

The net present value of the contract with MRT included a 15-percent return on interest for MRTC which the government wanted to bring down to about 9 percent.

Buying out MRTC would give the government about $1.7 billion in savings for the remaining life of the 25-year build-lease-and-transfer contract that ends on 2025.

MRT-3 spans from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue, Pasay City.

MRTC infused $190 million (P4.49 billion) in equity into the project and in 1997 the company also obtained loans worth $465 million (P12.32 billion) from the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and Japan Export-Import Bank; the Postal Bank of the Czech Republic and Czech Export Credit Agency; and a group of local banks.

The loans were backed by the government through a sovereign guarantee to cushion risks to investors and creditors, effectively assuring them of a steady income flow.

^^ That's not a good thing....it would be nice if LRTA manages the MRT3 so the chances of it being linked physically with LRT1 would be more certain... :(

Oh, just watching ANC (NBN is not working for me in terms of stock market updates) and a bomb has been found at the MRT Pasay station!!!! :eek:

EDIT: Of course, ANC, was being its usual negative, sensationalism self! They SPECIFICALLY SAID THERE WAS A BOMB when there was none... :rant:

^ Oh crap ANC! :rant: So what was the unidentified object that they mistakenly branded as a bomb?

linking tracks of MRT3 to LRT1???? linkways lang pwede na.... parang singapore style... di naman kailangan pag dugtungin yung dalawang rails... kahit papano matuto naman tayo maglakad at pagpawisan lipat lang ng kabilang train.... wag puro sarap buhay....("j)

^^ But think of the convenience and savings! For one, the government does not have to build an additional large and expensive station at SM North. Geeze, imagine we would have THREE MRT/LRT stations in that area. It would have been nice if they were better integrated (although I suspect Trinoma will be its main integrator). And what about those who, say are coming from Balintawak but want to get to Kamuning? Unless they stick to buses, they will have to get off at SM North to transfer from one train to the other. Its very inefficient and such a waste since the technology is compatible anyways...

Yup nice to have one seamless ride through out. In fact they should extend baclaran station all the way to MOA!

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/43692/Newsbreak-MRT-3-crisis-bad-news-for-800000-commuters

SPECIAL REPORTS
Newsbreak: MRT 3 crisis bad news for 800,000 commuters
LALA RIMANDO
05/24/2007 | 03:39 PM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us

The government is scrambling to find a timely solution to avert a potential financial crisis involving the rail system.

For the sake of the 800,000 commuters of the existing rail system along Edsa, the government has to settle a financial problem it caused and is just waiting to explode. The deadline? August.

Herein lies the trouble: The government has not been paying the lease rentals on time. Roberto Lastimoso, the general manager of Metro Rail Transit Authority, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) subsidiary operating MRT 3, admitted in a radio interview that the government agency is eight months behind the lease rental payments.

Based on our computation, using the guidelines in the project agreement between the Metro Rail Transit Corporation or MRTC and DOTC, the aggregate amount of the delayed payments is in the vicinity of US$30 million or P1.4 billion.

Lastimoso added that even their maintenance payment obligations to Sumitomo Corporation’s Japanese subcontractor, Tespi Corporation, is four months behind. That would amount to something like $7 million or P335 million.

Lastimoso attributes this to the fact that they could not raise the train fare to a break-even level because of potential adverse reactions from the very price-sensitive riding public.

Bad Deal?

The current financial obligations of the government related to the 17-kilometer MRT 3, the rail system along Edsa, can either be seen as a ghost of a bad deal or an opportunity to right a mistake. Just like other major infrastructure projects that highlight the many ways a public-private partnership can go wrong, MRT 3 has its own story to tell.

MRT 3 is under a build-lease-transfer (BLT) scheme between a Filipino consortium and the DOTC, on behalf of the government.

The consortium, called the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC), included the following members: Ayala Land, Inc. of Makati’s famed Ayala family; Anglo-Philippine Holdings Corporation associated with the National Bookstore chain; Fil-Estate Management, a subsidiary of the Sobrepena family’s property and pre-need empire (now crumbling); Ramcar, Inc, battery manufacturer and exporter, of the Agustines family, and; Greenfield Development Corporation, the investment arm of pharmaceutical industry leader, United Laboratories.

The Filipino investors infused US$190 million (about P9.3 billion) in equity and raised loans worth $462 million (about P22 billion) from a group of international and local banks. The loans had the sovereign guarantee of the Philippine government.

Under this BLT scheme, MRTC built MRT 3 as the borrower and project executor while still in-charge of maintaining the system. Since MRT 3 started operating in 2000, government’s lease and its role as the operator of the rail line also commenced. When the lease expires after 25 years, the government will have full control of the project. This scheme is supposed to free the government from the intricate procedures associated with project financing.

As the lessee, the government was also supposed to pay lease rentals. But what was harshly criticized about the project were the lease payments payable during the 25-year period. The rental schedule assured MRTC of an after-tax, after-debt-service, after-expense return on their investments of 15 percent per year.

Sovereign Guarantee

Critics said this put all the business risks and the pressure to increase the usage of MRT 3 on the government since the consortium’s profits were already guaranteed.

By 2002, some members of the MRTC, such as the Sobrepenas and the Agustines of the Ramcar Group, were having financial difficulties in their other businesses, while the Ayalas eventually decided to bow out of the consortium. Thus, some of the consortium members decided to cash in, rather than wait for the government to complete all its future lease rental payments. They tapped the capital markets and packaged these future payments into a financial product called zero-coupon bonds.

In effect, the original investors who cashed in, such as the Sobrepenas and the Agustineses, passed on the “waiting time" to those who snapped the bonds. To the bondholders, the MRTC bonds are attractive because they get a hefty 15 percent profit on their money. What’s more, the receivables that back these bonds are coming from the Philippine government and have attached sovereign guarantees to them. In other words, they are supposed to be considered a “safe" investment.

What this financial exercise did was change the hierarchy of who owes whom. It used to be that the monthly lease rentals of the government were paid to the MRTC consortium. Now those in the consortium who have cashed in are out of the picture, and instead, the government’s lease rentals are paid to the bondholders as part of their regular bond coupon payments, or the equivalent of the interest earnings of, say, a time deposit in a bank.

Fare Subsidy

Recall that before MRT 3 started operations in 2000, the calculated fare that was approved was about P30 per passenger. The Estrada administration, however, decided to charge only somewhere between P9 and P15 because that’s what they thought the passengers would be able to afford.

When President Arroyo took over, her officials decided to continue subsidizing the fares. The subsidy comes from the national government budget, and needs to go through the usual time-consuming government appropriation and disbursement routes. Unlike the debt rental payments, which are covered by automatic appropriations in the national budget, the lease rentals are not.

That explains the late payments, but not why the allocated budgets are still inadequate to cover the lease rental dues even when the budget is disbursed on time. According to Philratings, the local rating agency monitoring debt instruments like the MRTC bonds, subsidy received from the national budget in 2006 was only P1.2 billion, or half the requested subsidy of P2.1 billion for that year. They expect the subsidies for 2007 will also not be enough.

In its February 2007 report, Philratings said, “The government agency is not likely to achieve a significant reduction in past due rentals without increasing national government budget subsidies to MRT operations, as fare box revenues of the MRT 3 system are not sufficient to fully pay monthly [lease rental payments]."

The budgeted subsidy itself needs to be adjusted because when the project was finalized in 1997, the going rate of the peso to the dollar was P27. Currently, even if the peso rates are stronger in the P48-level coming from previous highs of P54, the discrepancy is still too wide. All the obligations—the lease rentals, maintenance, and the debt rental—are denominated in US dollars, but the revenues from the fare box are in pesos.

With all these factors, DOTC will naturally fall behind its obligations.

Can DOF meet the deadline?

The big difference since 2002, however, is that one of the obligations, the lease rentals, is now the an obligation due to bondholders, some of whom are handled by fund managers who don’t want to upset their clients because they invested in something that could not pay on time.

So far, even if the government has been perennially late in dispensing the required monthly lease rental payments to the trustee bank, in this case, the Bank of New York, which pools all these monthly payments in time for the semi-annual coupon payments, the funds in the pool have been enough to meet the scheduled coupon payments.

However, the perennially late monthly payments underscore the possibility that there will not be adequate accumulated amounts by August 7, 2007, when the first tranche of bonds will mature. By that time there should be about US$69.2 million or P3.4 billion in the bag already, which may not be likely.

It is because of this upcoming date in August that the officials of the Department of Finance—not the DOTC—are rushing to find a way to refinance or re-package their obligations.

Meeting the August deadline is now out of the hands of the DOTC because when the bondholders decide to call the government in default of its obligations to them, it is automatic that the other foreign denominated obligations of the government will also be set in default. This will wipe out whatever goodwill or excellent payment records the Philippines has with the international capital markets.

Hostile Bondholder

But besides the capital markets, the finance department might have to face the possibility of dealing with a hostile bondholder. A Newsbreak source familiar with the details of the bond obligations said that most of the bonds are now in the hands of Elliot Associates, a financial outfit known as a “vulture fund," or one that is expert in buying distressed and cheap debt assets mostly from emerging markets. They scour all possible means, including bankruptcy laws and international litigation, to push for their target to settle with them.

Elliot is famous for having compelled the government of Peru to settle a sovereign-bond related issue after Elliot won court cases all over Europe, US and Canada.

Meantime, the option to buy out the bondholders, which was floated as early as 2005, was supposed to lessen the pressure on the government as far as meeting the rentals is concerned. If the bondholders are out of the way, then the government will not have to be concerned with the threat of a default call or go through a negotiation process with a hostile vulture fund.

Recently, too, the Philippine’s good reputation in the international capital markets has been highlighted in media to push the option of borrowing to fund the buy-out. Why not take advantage of the cheap interest rates, observers say. After all, the government can borrow funds from the capital markets way below the 15 percent cost of the bonds.

Buy Out Bondholders?

But these are not without flaws. The option of buying out the bondholders just relieves the government of the fact that the MRT 3 is not profitable and will still keep on bleeding the national government’s coffers with annual subsidies.

Newsbreak asked Finance Secretary Margarito Teves about the MRTC bonds but he prefers not to give out details. “We will are still talking to the justice department so we will know what should be our parameters if we restructure the contract or seek appropriation from Congress [to finance the buy-out.]"

Restructuring the contract may mean the bondholders will have to take a cut, or the government will have to find a new partner that will consent to lower profits.

How the finance department will balance everybody’s interest is worth watching. - Newsbreak

i agree bustero.. stretch it all the way to MOA!

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=78301

Gov't eyeing MRT-3 takeover by Q3

By LIZA REYES

The government is aiming to finalize its takeover of the MRT Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) by the third quarter of the year and wipe out unpaid lease worth about P1.5 billion to a private consortium operating the overhead train.

MRT general manager Roberto Lastimoso yesterday met with officials from the finance and budget departments to map out a strategy on the proposed buyout.

Lastimoso said the estimated price tag for the 17.3 kilometer mass railway transit, which stretches from Taft Avenue in Pasay City to North Avenue in Quezon City, stands at $720 million.

Lastimoso said the government has not paid its monthly equity rental and maintenance cost obligations to the consortium operating the MRT-3 for the past eight months.

The government pays about $3.33 million or P153.18 million per month in equity rentals.

On top of this, it pays $1.43 million or P65.78 million per month for maintenance costs. About 460,000 commuters ride the MRT-3 daily.

The government also faces higher equity rentals ahead which will further bleed its pocket. By 2010, equity rentals will rise to $10 million per month, under an earlier agreement signed between the government and the private consortium.

The travel fare is also an issue. Lastimoso said the MRT is in fact giving a 75-percent discount to a commuter riding the entire stretch.

The cost of travel from Taft Avenue to North Avenue is P15, when the "economic fare" or the fare which will give a reasonable rate of return for the government is at P60 per passenger.

This means that the government subsidizes roughly P45-48 per passenger per ride with the MRT-3.

"You can just imagine the tremendous subsidy the government is doing here. We are bleeding," Lastimoso said.

When the takeover becomes successful, Lastimoso said the government will push for a P10 maximum fare hike to ease its financial burden.

^ Oh crap ANC! :rant: So what was the unidentified object that they mistakenly branded as a bomb?

A bag filled with dirty laundry...

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=78299

Bag causes bomb scare in Taft MRT station

Police commandos rushed to the Taft Avenue station of the Metro Rail Transit in Pasay City after a backpack suspected of containing explosives alarmed pedestrians and passengers Thursday.

An ABS-CBN News report said the bag was left near the MRT post at the corner of Taft Avenue and EDSA Thursday afternoon.

Traffic policemen immediately cordoned off the area and called a Special Weapons and Tactics Unit team to check the bag.

SWAT members used a water charge to prevent the bomb from exploding in case a detonating device was inside the backpack.

Police Officer 1 Randy Fortuna of the SWAT team said a P100 bill sticking out of the bag triggered speculations that the money was the bomb's trigger.

The bag, however, contained only dirty laundry when it was opened for inspection.

Authorities said the bag was meant to scare pedestrians and commuters. With a report from Maricar Bautista

To cover all the expenses, how much should the actual fare at the MRT3 be? Have this been published?

Don't tell me MRT2 might suffer the same fate...

With all these developments I doubt if they could get an investor for the LRT extension all the way to Dasmarinas, Cavite... :ohno:

uutangnanaman... :bash:

^^ As far as I know, the LRT1 and 2 have a different mechanism with MRT3 so they should be okay. LRT7 may have some similarities with MRT3 since it is a private-partnership project. However, we are under the Arroyo administration now so I think LRT7, if successful, would have a better deal for both parties involved.

You know....if MRT3 is going to get bought anyway by the government, I wonder if the government would be willing to extend it to Monumento instead. That way, the line can be more profitable and frankly, it makes more sense both in an operational point of view and financially. But in either case, whether MRT3 is extended to Monumento or LRT1 is extended to SM North is fine I suppose. As long as its not that dreadful, idiotic ENT...which is rightfully dead!

mrt 3 is bot

the extension to cavite is a lrta project, the funds come from the gov't

only mrt7 is bot right now, this will be the same set up as mrt3, it will sound different but bottom line is it will lose money and the consortium is requiring a sovereign guarantee defacto otherwise they have no project. it's actually cheaper for the gov't to build this line but this is not their priority. if this does not get done in this administration it's a big chance the next administration will push for it as a government priority and build this and lrt6 (east manila) themselves.

^^ line 8 is the manila east line., line 6 is the south extension of lrt1., if i'm not mistaken., :)

may illustration na bang napost dito with all the planned MRT/Lrt's in the metro? kasi ang nakita ko lang before yung sa map, but it looks not outdated.

^^ line 8 is the manila east line., line 6 is the south extension of lrt1., if i'm not mistaken., :)

ok good call!

in any case, these will be priority projects

lotsa maps, we've posted here but it's always moving ang mga lines, I actually hope they add much more lines, we could use up to 20 and finish it all already

^:yes: for people to get out of their cars and reduce traffic we'd need a lot more than 3 lines for an effective/efficient transit system. 20 or more lines may sound ambitious but it would be appropriate for a city as huge as MM.

^^ That's too much though. Metro Manila isn't that big in terms of land area, just dense in some parts, including its employment areas. Quezon City is the only really huge city in terms of land area (think Surrey, BC) but even large parts of it is too sparsely populated to justify rail investments while its more denser areas already have and will have rail lines (LRT7 will pretty much complete Quezon City's rail requirements). I think the number of lines being planned is good enough.

Think of where to put 10 million people over several decades and that gives us a good idea of how urban planning should go. Also when the gdp per capita goes higher than 5 to 6000$ per year on PPP, you'll get a lot people not putting up with the 2 hour commute on a bus! These densities will require massbased transit (not neccesarily rail based) which must be above or below grade so as not to add to traffic. If you look at first world megacities, NY, Paris,London, most of them will have substantial mass based transit.

I'd say there are easily a number of places where HELL can easily be used to describe the commute.

Commonwealth to EDSA (partially being addressed line 7 or line 4 which ever wins)

Marikina Valley to Inner core (Within EDSA boundaries) Another 1 million people living with fx and jeepney commutes.

Ortigas Extension and Beyond (need we say more)

Tandang Sora/Mindanao Ave/Congressional , partially addresed by line 7 too.

Sucat and Alabang Zapote could easily usethese as well, their densities are already there. Anyone who has lives in those areas can attest to the difficulties incommuting.

I don't think South Rail will address all the need of the new commuters from the south. EVen Ayala wanted to build a spur to Sta rosa.

I'd say any Major Jeepney route with high density is also a good candidate, Buendia/PedroGil/Boni/

All these will help make the city more manageable. Considering over 90% of the people commute makes things easier.

Marikina Valley to Inner core (Within EDSA boundaries) Another 1 million people living with fx and jeepney commutes.

Ortigas Extension and Beyond (need we say more)

Tandang Sora/Mindanao Ave/Congressional , partially addresed by line 7 too.

Sucat and Alabang Zapote could easily usethese as well, their densities are already there. Anyone who has lives in those areas can attest to the difficulties incommuting.

I'd say any Major Jeepney route with high density is also a good candidate, Buendia/PedroGil/Boni/


Won't most if not all of these be addressed by MRT8 while the Sucat one would be addressed by the LRT1 southern extension? All the rest mentioned are already being addressed and done since LRT7 is moving along. But I suppose we won't really know until next year if LRT7 goes to construction without a hitch.

I admit, that Ortigas extension to Cainta is pure hell!!! Probably the worse bottle neck I've experienced in the metropolis in "normal" rush hour traffic and the line goes up to the Ortigas building! The thing with pretty much ALL bottleneck phenomenon here is they are actually SO EASY to fix without the need for massive infrastructure projects. All you need to do is make the drivers somehow obey the existing road rules....although now that I think about it, that maybe an impossible dream... :ohno:

Do you have a map that shows all the mrt/lrt lines planned in Metro Manila?

Thanks

Here is the only map that is known of the planned lines but doesn't include LRT7.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/MetroManilaComplete.JPG

Much of MRT4s route is LRT7 but presumably, the main difference is the starting point is in SM North and it doesn't go all the way to Recto in Manila. I think MRT4 is still a separate proposal but it will only go from Recto and I'm guessing it may end at SM North or somewhere else in Quezon City.

I think there is a better map floating around somewhere that includes MRT8...

Not a very good map and is not entirely accurate, but it should give you a good idea of how the system will look like:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid107/paa9873b22dcae09782e7390d7d06678c/f95f4cc7.jpg

ok thanks :D cool!

-dun sa santolan, dapat i-extend na nila yun sa antipolo :)
-tama yung hinula ko dun sa sky blue line from espana to west ave, tas north, tas commonwealth.
-and i didn't know na yung pink line is the mrt7 tas up to bulacan? iba na pala, dati kasi yung sa commonwealth yung papuntang bulacan.
-green line is interesting too :D

kelan kaya nila sisimulan, eh patapos na yung road-widening samin eh.

thanks guys,

one more question, are there any lines or extensions that are underway right now?

Yay. Subway. I remember emailing the government when I was 11 asking for a subway.

Dep of Trans. (I think) replied that Manila will definately build a subway in the future. :lol:

Yay. Subway. I remember emailing the government when I was 11 asking for a subway.

Dep of Trans. (I think) replied that Manila will definately build a subway in the future. :lol:

dapat lang:D haha, yung ayala? subway na yun diba? yung mrt side? tas may discussions dito date na parang may pa-left yung sa underground part nun na dead-end, tas di ko magets na parang papunta daw sa Ayala ave.?

Yay. Subway. I remember emailing the government when I was 11 asking for a subway.

Dep of Trans. (I think) replied that Manila will definately build a subway in the future. :lol:

Well, logic ang sagot sa tanong mo. Wala ka kasing date limit na binigay. If you asked if we could have subways in 2010, perhaps they'll say no.

BTW, naguluhan na ako. Akala ko ba dadaan ang MRT-7 sa Commonwealth Ave papuntang Bulacan?

^^ luma iyang mga diagram na yan.,

^^ Sinabi ko lang na "The Philippines really needs a subway system."

The lady replied: "A subway like those in America are now being planned for Manila....." etc. :D

Actually Diz, there are subway portions of the MRT 3 with elevated stations. The station in Katipunan for LRT2 is underground. I have yet to see a transit system that is fully underground.

^^ i didn't know that! Kinda neat. I have to visit it next month. :D

^^ Sinabi ko lang na "The Philippines really needs a subway system."

The lady replied: "A subway like those in America are now being planned for Manila....." etc. :D

Charos! Being planned pala ha. Oh wel, madali nga lang pala magplan. Mahirap gawin. Eheheh. Kailan ka pa 11 years old?

@diz: where are you residing ba? may underground portions nga dito pero hindi subway...

2004. :D

Here is the only map that is known of the planned lines but doesn't include LRT7.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/MetroManilaComplete.JPG



Hi all,
I have seen this mention of Northrails plans to do a large loop to the west as shown in the map.
Has there been any mention regarding how this is to be achieved. Will they be putting heavy rail up in the air like the MRT/LRT? This is the only reasonable way about it I suppose.
How will they get from Caloocan to the juction point north of Pandacan? Will this be seperate to the PNR tracks or will they be paying PNR some track access fees?
The indication I get is that PNR will not be giving over any of their remaining track to easily.
If often asked a similar question on the North Port line to the government. But any of my posts about railways that they can't answer are always sensored before going on the government forum. (Strange that) :-)

Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways

^That is an old plan for the MM railways. Actually, I'm not very sure about that orange line aside from the fact that it is rumored to be a "subway" (whatever they meant by that). Northline would now start in Caloocan going to Malolos, Bulacan so that one in the picture is kinda outdated. The only news coming out right now is about MRT-7 (not in the picture) and the LRT-1 expansion to Cavite and another expansion to North Ave connecting to MRT-3. There's also a news about the Korean and Chinese funded renovation and extension of Southrail up to Sorsogon (anyone please confirm this one).

You can check the news from the previous pages and previous threads. Some are in other threads like Northrail-Southrail thread.

Thanks again XP, it would pay me to go back through the back posts.

Thanks
Brad

That is an old map, the original idea was that the north train would be a "hi speed " line that would be be integrated to a subway and had the station in fort bonifacio.

This is basically dead. The new idea is to build a circular line that will connect ortigas to fort to makati to manila and back to ortigas. This is imagined to be the highest density core for the metropolis. This alignment still conflicts to a certain degree with line 8 , the shaw line which is already a major thoroughfare and a high density neighborhood south of nueve de pebrero. This line is actually critical too and is the eventual East manila line that runs all the way to Tanay and beyond.

Let's see how this works out, they still have not actually resolved mrt 7 and mrt4 which are pretty much the same lines for at least half of their lenght. (although sa pr mrt 7 consortium looks the winner).

LRT2 Pureza Station...

Quoted from the Daily Hotels / Motels / Inns (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=13424442#post13424442) thread... The full post is there.

^^ As promised, the pic of the LRT connection to Sogo Sta Mesa...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/aaron_ofngol/Photo_022207_022x.jpg

^^ that's V.Mapa.,

Ay oo nga nagkamali ako, wala kasi akong tulog nung isang araw eh. Tuliro pa.

^^ walang tulog? galing sogo? :lol: joke., :) ano naman ginagawa nung guard dun sa pic? hehehe., ewan ko ba kung bat pa nila nilagyan ng mini passage galing lrt papunta jan., eh sa ground floor lang din naman un connection.,

^ Parang may sinusulat yung guard. Pero nakataas pa yung isang paa huh? :lol:

^^ Mukhang may imaginary "inaano" yung guard. :naughty:

^^ walang tulog? galing sogo? :lol: joke., :) ano naman ginagawa nung guard dun sa pic? hehehe., ewan ko ba kung bat pa nila nilagyan ng mini passage galing lrt papunta jan., eh sa ground floor lang din naman un connection.,

Hindi ako galing Sogo ano!

Eto yung fire exit plan nila, I wonder why they didn't include the LRT station on the map. :D
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/aaron_ofngol/Photo_022207_007x.jpg

^^ syempre wala ung LRT diyan., fire escape plan iyan ng 4th floor eh., :)

pano nga kaya kung magkasunog diyan., eh walang mga bintana., :) hehehe..., OT na., :)

mrt 3 is bot

the extension to cavite is a lrta project, the funds come from the gov't

only mrt7 is bot right now, this will be the same set up as mrt3, it will sound different but bottom line is it will lose money and the consortium is requiring a sovereign guarantee defacto otherwise they have no project. it's actually cheaper for the gov't to build this line but this is not their priority. if this does not get done in this administration it's a big chance the next administration will push for it as a government priority and build this and lrt6 (east manila) themselves.

Couldn't agree more, Bustero. Yes, given the usual corruption concerns, it cheaper for government to develop this project on its own, without asking for private operators to run the thing. Why? Trains have always needed subsidy anyway, even in the First World, so why subsidize a company--which in the local context is always prone to rent-seeking--when the government can fully own it?

from morning to midday, southbound (from North to Taft) ang crowded sa mrt coz everyone is going to ayala, pag 4pm na until 10 pm, both north and south bound trains are already jampacked like sardines

The quick fix to congestion is to introduce express trains which will stop at just one station and load/unload on another. Say a Quezon Avenue to Ayala Express. At certain times, let's say 7:30 in the morning, the QA station announces the availability of Ayala Express and every passenger who takes it are taken immediately to Ayala station without stops in between. This is done in New York; the trains which pass at every station is called the local; trains which skip every other station is the express. This is doable, I think. Now, in the evenings at 7PM, you do the same thing in reverse--the Quezon Avenue express--Ayala to QA without stops.

^they're doing that. I noticed that the trains from North Ave are going straight to Cubao.

^they're doing that. I noticed that the trains from North Ave are going straight to Cubao.


Nope. NYC's Express picks up passengers from Point A, bypasses B, C,XXX and stops directly at station Z.

MRT3 and LRT's "escape" trains do this due to lack of capacity. They bypass terminus A, B, C, D and proceed directly to Station (let's say F, middle stop) where a huge pile of passengers wait for empty trains. Then the "escape train reverts to a regular one stopping at G H up to Z.

i saw news on MRT7 sa inquirer., hindi ko mahanap online edition eh,

may 4 na gustong mag-swiss challenge., june ata or july deadline ng submission., end of year daw ang awarding.,

^^ Here you go!

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=69716

Takot ako magpost ng article ng Inquirer so to anyone, feel free to post it if you want...

^^ sana wala nalang mag-submit ng swiss challenge., para matapos na yan.., :)

I think matutuloy naman siguro to, Abangan.

In the meantime I heard the talks to buyout the MRT3 bonds have been hitting a brick wall with regards to valuation. Tough if they can't agree. It's problems like these that make me wonder about MRT7 in the long run since it's the same promoter Eli Levin doing it.

pero hindi ata si eli levin gumawa ng mrt3? siya rin ba? oh nanalo swiss challenge? wala pako alam sa hisory niyan eh,, :) ang alam ko eli levin din ang lrt2, pero hindi siya ang gumawa kasi ODA ang ginamit.,

mrt3 was his project tapos he sold it off to filestate and company.

this guy helped out in lrt1 , found out how to do business here (meaning a lot of "informal" negotiations with the right "honorable" people) and voila instant formula for doing it again and again.

Just a question lang ha.

I went to Cubao today and rode the Purple Line LRT. Being cradled by the MRT for 3 weeks, I found it one of the miracles of Manila, but after finding LRT-2, I was amazed at the wide areas. Walang siksikan. It's quite puzzling to think that there were even stations that weren't filled with people.

And now the question. Why didn't the local government transfer or use these trains for the MRT, where it's more useful? I know LRT and MRT are two separate orgs, and maybe MRT's lines are probably different, but why oh why?

^^ And who's the woman who announces the arrival and the expected route of the purple line?

@ady., if i'm not mistaken., lrt2 and mrt3's rails are incompatible., maybe someone could confirm.,

the lrt2 isnt filled today coz its a sunday.., :) most lrt2 passangers are students of the universities in manila.

and what woman? :)

yeah i guess so.. Was it bondurant who said that MRT3 and LRT cannot be merged because of incompatibility..?

@ady, ui congrats! nakita mo na pala si Aurora Blvd.. :D

MRT3 and LRT2 cannot indeed merge because of incompatibility. However, MRT3 and LRT1 can merge since they are perfectly compatible. The only way this would happen is 1) the gov buys MRT3 and 2) physically links it with LRT1, so a one seat ride from, say MRT3's GMA-Kamuning Station to LRT1's Vito Cruz Station is possible.

yeah.. merging these 2 lines would make a complete loop around the metro.

actually, kung riles lang pag-uusapan, physically compatible ang Line 2 at Line 3 dahil they are both using standard gauge rails. nagkakaproblema lang ay yung gap ng mga riles sa isa't isa.. yung sa Line 2 kasi mas malayo ang gap ng westbound rail sa eastbound rail, thus paving the use of full metro trains unlike yung sa Line 1 at Line 3 na mas malapit ang gap sa isa't isa, thus paving the usage of LRV trains on these two lines.

^^ Its not just the rails or the gaps, its also the automated system of the LRT2 which makes it incompatible. Automated systems like LRT2 are usually stand alone systems anyway...

^^ Line 2 trains are not fully automated... mas madalas na may driver yun, pero sometimes it runs on ATO

^^ The driver just sits there to ensure nothing happens and to assist in case there is an emergency. The train just drives itself. Its similar to BART in SF. Must be a nice job, eh? Just sit there, riding the train all day long... :D

magkano pala sweldo ng traindriver dyan sa pnas
d2 daw sa america, malaki daw at competitive :lol:

^^ The driver just sits there to ensure nothing happens and to assist in case there is an emergency. The train just drives itself. Its similar to BART in SF. Must be a nice job, eh? Just sit there, riding the train all day long... :D

minsan sinisilip ko yung driver., he presses a few buttons., pulls a lever., a few more buttons., yun lang., :)

^^ Parang ganun din sa BART ng SF Bay Area. Siguro its for overriding the doors dahil minsan mahirap pagmasyadong automated. Yun Skytrain sa Vancouver, talagang bubukas at sasarado ng ilang seconds lang kaya pag mahuli ka, maiipit ka sa pinto. Tapos pag madetect ng Skytrain na me tao pa, bubukas ulit. Mahirap kasi dun, wear and tear kaya madalas nasisira ang Skytrain ng Vancouver. As in almost in a regular basis mayroon problema at nag stop ang buong system. Kaya siguro ang BART at ang LRT2, mayroon taga bantay para hindi masyadong laspag ang mga tren... :yes:

Government mulls over paying
off investors, taking over MRT (http://businessmirror.com.ph/06122007/headlines03.html)
By Jun Vallecera
Reporter

FINANCE Secretary Margarito Teves has hinted at buying out the consortium of investors that manages the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 or MRT 3 to save itself the trouble of paying lease rentals.

The trouble is not the magnitude of the obligation, but the process of securing the money with the consent of an often hostile or indifferent legislature.

“We might borrow to pay off the investors if it’s a takeover or fund [the IOUs] from budget appropriations,” he told reporters.

By this he meant that the decision to buy out the light rail investors who put in equity and raised debt to complete the project in 2000 has not yet been made.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) chief Romulo Neri said earlier the buyout will enable government to save some $1 billion worth of lease rentals.

The MRT was constructed under the build-lease-transfer scheme, and the government pays monthly lease rentals, often late, to Tespi Corp., a subcontractor of the builder Sumitomo Corp. Teves knows he is thinking on borrowed time, as the obligation becomes due on the first week of August this year.

But at this point, he refused to reveal what he and Neri have in mind to end their problems over the inability of MRT 3 to liquidate or fund its operations using internally generated earnings.

MRT 3 is unable to fend for itself because its P15 per passenger fare structure at present is way below the break-even level of P30 per passenger.

Successive governments have refused to make adjustments fearing a harsh political backlash; and efforts to obtain the money by legislative fiat have also been inadequate.

Reports claimed MRT 3 received only half of the P2.1 billion in subsidies it sought from government last year, and that a similar request for more subsidies this year was not expected to fare any better.

Senior finance officials said on Friday requests of the nature brought before congressmen since 2001 were met with indifference or disdain.

“Historically, congressmen have not been of help to the MRT 3,” the officials said.

There is fear the government would fail to pay as the obligation matures and this failure would have an impact on the rest of the country’s creditors, officials said.

^^ Ay yay yay!!! Hindi pa pala final ang decision para bilhin ang MRT3. Dapat, bilhin na nila. :rant:

Any news on the LRT1 expansion?

^^ And who's the woman who announces the arrival and the expected route of the purple line?

the woman's voice there is, if I'm not mistaken, a digital voice.... that is in the software of the LRT2 trains... the reason is, if you ride the MRT of Singapore, the same voice of the lady may be heard.... it's like the TalkIt software...

i hope mrt3 also uses that talkITsoftware.

libre kanina ang ride sa LRT...

^^Yup, ok nga eh kasi both MRT and LRT ang sinansakyan ko papuntang office at pauwi ng bahay laking tipid. Kaninang umaga 7-9am at sa hapon naman 5-7pm libre ang sakay sa MRT and LRT.:cheers:

Default warning issued on MRT-3
http://www.tribune.net.ph/business/20070613bus4.html

A local ratings firm warned of a possible default of debt payments by the consortium operating the Metro Rail Transit 3 system, drastically cutting credit ratings. Philippine Rating Service Corp. (Philratings) revised two notches downwards, yesterday, its rating for MRT 3 Funding Corp. limited’s asset-backed notes from PRS Ba to PRS Caa.

A rating of PRS Caa is defined as: “Poor standing. High possibility of default and there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.”

Philratings is the sole domestic credit ratings agency that is accredited by both the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the SEC with over 20 years experience in providing credit ratings to the Philippine financial market.

It said with two months to go before due date, there are not enough funds to cover principal and interest payments of $69.1 million for the first tranche of the notes that are due on Aug. 7.

The issue trustee, Bank of New York, has reported that it presently holds a balance of $49.7 million for the notes, indicating therefore a shortfall of $19.4 million.

“Prudently, by this time, the amounts to cover payments falling due should already be available, but they are not, and it is not clear how the funds will be made available in full and on time,” Philratings said.

The equity rental payments (ERPs) payable by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) to Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) under the existing build-lease-transfer agreement (BLT), are the main source of funds to cover payments under the securitization transaction.

Historically, however, DoTC payments have never been up to date. As of 23 May 2007, the total unpaid ERPs is $43.3 million which is equivalent to 13 months in arrears.

hehe a ploy and will be recognized as such by the bondholders who are trying to sell to the GOP at the highest price possible (siyempre). The GOP has not defaulted on any obligation since the 82 crisis. Consider that the Republic is currently BORROWING RATES LOWER THAN IT'S RATINGS! and this will be called a spade by the bondholders.

^^ Consider the MRT rising its current fees to pay its debts off.

the woman's voice there is, if I'm not mistaken, a digital voice.... that is in the software of the LRT2 trains... the reason is, if you ride the MRT of Singapore, the same voice of the lady may be heard.... it's like the TalkIt software...

It might be, but I remember her voice somewhere. I don't think it's because of the Software. For example, Lerning and Hauspie has this talking software by a man, but the tone of voice is so monotonous.

Might this be a pre-recorded announcer?

MRT3 and LRT2 cannot indeed merge because of incompatibility. However, MRT3 and LRT1 can merge since they are perfectly compatible. The only way this would happen is 1) the gov buys MRT3 and 2) physically links it with LRT1, so a one seat ride from, say MRT3's GMA-Kamuning Station to LRT1's Vito Cruz Station is possible.

Thanks for the clarification. I believe this would be perfectly possible, but somewhat redundant. For example, going to MCU and Balintawak isn't all that trafficky. I only went to Caloocan once, going to Balintawak and then to Ever Gotesco where the nearest LRT is, and traffic isn't that imminent.

However, a seamless MRT/LRT ride is possible.

i'm against a seamless LRT/MRT connection... come on guys, what's the purpose of having three distinct lines kung seamless ang connection ng Line 1 at Line 3... tsaka sobrang magstos ang maintenance nun... my proposal is that let LRTA takeover MRTC, LRTA will construct the Line 3 extension to the Caloocan Station of NorthRail without damaging Bonifacio's monument, rebuild the Monumento station as a joint underground station of Line 1 and Line 3 fitted with PSDs and gradually replace Line 3's rolling stock with brand new, state-of-the-art rolling stocks with dot matrix train destination displays, LED and LCD displays displaying adverts, rules and next station inside trains, CCTVs inside trains and digital voice announcements in both tagalog and english. voice announcements would go like this:

Boarding the Train in Taft Avenue station
English: Welcome to LRT Line 3. This train will go to Caloocan.
Tagalog: Maligayang pagdating sa LRT Line 3. Ang tren na ito ay papuntang Caloocan.

Announcing next station
English: Next Station, Magallanes. Interchange Station with PNR SouthRail Line.
Tagalog: Susunod na istasyon, Magallanes. Pagpalitang Istasyon sa PNR SouthRail Line.

Announcement of rules
English: Eating, Drinking and Smoking is not allowed inside the trains.
Tagalog: Ang pagkain, pag-inom at paninigarilyo ay bawal sa loob ng mga tren.

Arriving at station
English: Ayala. Please mind the gap.
Tagalog: Ayala. Mangyari pong pansinin ang patlang.

Departing station
English: Please stand back from the closing doors.
Tagalog: Mangyari pong tumayo sa mga pasarang pintuan. Followed by a digitalized beep like in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Announcing terminus station
English: Next station, Caloocan. Terminal station of Line 3. Interchange station with PNR NorthRail Line.
Tagalog: Susunod na istasyon, Caloocan. Duluhang istasyon ng Line 3. Pagpalitang Istasyon sa PNR NorthRail Line.

Arriving at terminus station
English: Caloocan. Interchange station with PNR NorthRail Line. Thank you for riding the LRT Line 3.
Tagalog: Caloocan. Pagpalitang istasyon sa PNR NorthRail Line. Maraming salamat sa pagsakay sa LRT Line 3.

i'm against a seamless LRT/MRT connection... come on guys, what's the purpose of having three distinct lines kung seamless ang connection ng Line 1 at Line 3... tsaka sobrang magstos ang maintenance nun...

^^ For the life of me why???? You can interchange and manage the trains more efficiently. Maintenance would be cheaper and you can even get rid of one of the rail yards eventually since having two with the exact same technology is redundant. Plus people can have access to more destinations without having to go through those ridiculous transfers.

my proposal is that let LRTA takeover MRTC, LRTA will construct the Line 3 extension to the Caloocan Station of NorthRail

I do agree with this to some extent if the government is going to buy MRT3 anyway. Since the government will be spending the LRT1 link to SM North, why not just spend the same amount of funds for the original plan of extending MRT3 to Monumento instead? In that way, MRT3 will be able to reap the revenue of higher ridership and efficiency.

And better yet, just link the two lines anyway. That is the best way of doing it. Besides, its possible to have "two lines" but the tracks are physically linked so you can interchange the trainsets when needed from time to time.

question: Is there any reason why they can't do subways completely? money? or physical limitations like geography?

^^ All of the above.

question: Is there any reason why they can't do subways completely? money? or physical limitations like geography?

right of way is also a big problem here in the philippines specially when it comes to these kinds of projects.,

building a subway is very feasible here in Metro Manila, except CAMANAVA area which is plague by floods every year. well the problem here is lack of money and lack of political will. look at chongqing, china... they are going to build a subway system that will complement their monorail system... even though chongqing's terrain is mountainous like Baguio...

^^ Yeah...right. A little rain here and large parts of the metropolis gets flooded. Perhaps if people start throwing their garbage properly, THEN we can build a subway. Can you imagine what would happen to a subway when its full of garbage? The BART subway station in Embarcadero once caught fire because of garbage flying into the electrical system and that's just a few pieces of newspapers that may have only been inadvertently dropped.

You can have all the money and political will, and we already have a "superwoman" as president, but at the end of the day, its the everyday bad habits of Filipinos that prevent progress in this country.

right of way is also a big problem here in the philippines specially when it comes to these kinds of projects.,

If you have land in the Philippines does that mean you also own the land below the ground?

I've heard that in Malaysia or was it Thailand they were building some sort of a tunnel and that one of the problems that they face is that owners of land own their land up to the center of the earth, of course that was exaggeration on the part of the tv program. But is this also a problem there?

^^ That's somewhat nonsensical, but it's the way of the world of course. Anyway, about anonymous_filipino's plans, I'm also against a seamless line. More bus drivers will lose jobs because of that.

A takeover of LRTA over MRT? come on... MRT has large enough daily passenger traffic than LRT (or I might be wrong because of wikipedia.)

^^ That's somewhat nonsensical, but it's the way of the world of course. Anyway, about anonymous_filipino's plans, I'm also against a seamless line. More bus drivers will lose jobs because of that.

A takeover of LRTA over MRT? come on... MRT has large enough daily passenger traffic than LRT (or I might be wrong because of wikipedia.)

we should prioritize the commuters first., they're the one's making the economy in metro manila move. not the bus drivers.. in fact., buses are part of the causes of traffic in EDSA.., and we all know the adverse effect of traffic to productivity.,

actually, queetz is right., integrating the 2 lines would make operations more smooth, efficient and cheap.., it would also be easier for commuters to get around the metro., imagine if you would commute from la salle taft all the way to Trinoma. that would be cool. :)

yeah, what is 1000 bus drivers compared to almost a million commuters of these 2 metro lines..

^^ Yeah...right. A little rain here and large parts of the metropolis gets flooded. Perhaps if people start throwing their garbage properly, THEN we can build a subway.

The flooding problem in Bangkok is not much better than in Manila. But we can design the entrance to be able to prevent the subway from flooding.


All the entrances and shafts to the subway are built above the 200 year flood level for Bangkok (1.2-1.5 meter above ground level). If the water goes over the 200 year flood level, all openings have "stop block" doors that close to seal the openings. There are also water traps to keep water from going down into the stations.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/330062891_5a7cd89d86.jpghttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/3/3701039_dafd778256.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/50/108993953_a0d9a62644.jpg?v=0http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/65722772_64b83f1fbf.jpghttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/174245555_98638a5b45.jpg

yeah, but more than the flooding problem, the right-of-way and money.

^^ Besides, look how clean those stations are. Even with those measures, put those stations in Manila and the flooding will easily overwhelm them because no amount of countermeasures can overcome the raise in floodwaters due to the clogged up drainage systems.

^^ im good with what we have right now.. Elevated lines.. besides, look like it's boring riding a subway seeing nothing but tunnel walls.

^^ That's somewhat nonsensical

You will be amaze at the world's weird laws, especially US.

^^ im good with what we have right now.. Elevated lines.. besides, look like it's boring riding a subway seeing nothing but tunnel walls.

True

Probably Thailand has a lower sea level too.

Heck, NY city subways are easily flooded too. I remembered this episode when I'm going home from work and the MTA just announced that the lines I usually take are not operational because of heavy rains that got them flooded - well, except the one that has an elevated track. I used that line and it was the only one that worked. You can't imagine how we are squeezed like sardines in the tin can literally. :lol:

^^ All the more reason why elevated lines are better. If NYC's subway, despite its fame and significance to the financial capital of the world, can be flooded, what more if here or in less sophisticated cities? The only opposition to elevated lines are people who don't want to see them. But to those selfish jerks, they shouldn't bother living in a modern metropolis if that is the case since efficient movement of goods and people is an absolute necessity in such place. At least with elevated lines, that solves the flooding problem.

^^ With MM's nauseous traffic, an elevated line is more feasible than a subway. Because...

1. Funds can run short.
2. A feasibility study and court deliberation may be more than the actual subway.
3. Boring holes could be more dangerous with more squatters clumping on top of subways.
4. Homeless people.
5. Trainspotters.
6. Elevated walkways are more advantageous to health, especially fat people. Helps burn fat walking up and down. More advantageous than sex.

^^ I agree with Lew about subways. You couldn't appreciate the beauty of the city. I even think that Buendia and Ayala are the most boring MRT stations.

But subway is still prefered when you want to build a mass transit system pass through the historical area. Bangkok's MRT masterplan proposes few subway lines in old city area near many histrical places such as the grand palace, democracy monument, china town, etc.

^^ What historical sites? We already plan to tunnel underneath such sites as seen in the LRT7 proposal (I think). But at the end of the day, Metro Manila does not have that much "historical sites" to justify a continuous subway line.

^^ I agree with that. But of course, we should get consideration on whether the soil of the place where the subway is, is not soft or susceptible to any earthquake.

^^ I think there are queetz, but the view on the top is better.

Subways are primarily an economic issue rather than engineering. Eventually an engineering solution can be found for these issues but at what cost. The previous estimates had it at nearly 6 times higher than elevated Light rail. Just go on the back posts and you can see the articles and links. You can also ask one of the posters , who was undersecretary of Transportation dealing with LRT's I beleive, his name escapes me now though. You can also go to the main transport and infrastructure section under subways and see the various cost comparisons. If were looking at 60 to 70 million $ per km for above grade, a subway can go to as high as 1billion$ ! Depends a lot on the area but bottom line, digging underground is more expensive than erecting structures.

And of course as most people here have pointed out, a more pleasant ride for the commuter. I used to commute nearly an hour each way on the subway staring at nothing it's not nice.

^^ im good with what we have right now.. Elevated lines.. besides, look like it's boring riding a subway seeing nothing but tunnel walls.

problema lang... na boblock nila ang mga magandang skyscrapers from below... mga halaman na boblock yung sunlight... kya namamatay mga halaman sa baba... pangit tuloy walang green manlang sa syudad

problema lang... na boblock nila ang mga magandang skyscrapers from below... mga halaman na boblock yung sunlight... kya namamatay mga halaman sa baba... pangit tuloy walang green manlang sa syudad

but not all the thoroughfares naman have an elevated metro line.. besides, there are plants that do not require/need much sunlight to live.:)

pero kung subways ang gagawin... pwede pa tayong magtayo nang extrang flyover sa taas... more space ang pwedeng gamitin.. kung 100km yun parang 200km ang nagamit mo diba??

subway then flyover....

MRT-3’s colorful coaches

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Metro%20Manila%202007/IMG_2473.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Metro%20Manila%202007/IMG_2474.jpg


Inside LRT-1

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Metro%20Manila%202007/IMG_2410.jpg

ughh why does it look...sooo...ghetto..

^^^ Just like Chicago's and New York's, hehehehe, my favorite is still chicago though. The rail transit there is ancient and that's what makes it special.

^^ What historical sites? We already plan to tunnel underneath such sites as seen in the LRT7 proposal (I think). But at the end of the day, Metro Manila does not have that much "historical sites" to justify a continuous subway line.

Personally I don't like subways. Having worked in San Francisco and taken B.A.R.T. I always dreaded going in the tunnel under the bay. The BART train is noisy to begin with, and it's at its noisiest in the tunnel. And I always feel a breath of fresh air after I get some sunlight and a view instead of the dark walls in some portions of the line.

Personally I don't like subways. Having worked in San Francisco and taken B.A.R.T. I always dreaded going in the tunnel under the bay. The BART train is noisy to begin with, and it's at its noisiest in the tunnel. And I always feel a breath of fresh air after I get some sunlight and a view instead of the dark walls in some portions of the line.

Too bad. I guess you have never ridden the new generation of subways like the one in Bangkok then. Ho ho. :D

"Personally I don't like subways. Having worked in San Francisco and taken B.A.R.T. I always dreaded going in the tunnel under the bay. The BART train is noisy to begin with, and it's at its noisiest in the tunnel. And I always feel a breath of fresh air after I get some sunlight and a view instead of the dark walls in some portions of the line."

For the No. 7 train in New York it's mostly sunlight and fresh air for riders. On the other hand, the above ground rail is unsightly and very noisy for the neighborhoods located along the length of the rail. I would surely choose a short discomfort underneath the ground rather than bear the whole night chug-chugs of the train. :ohno: :ohno:

Worldwide , commuters prefer above ground mass transit assuming the same level of service with a subway. At least you get visual cues of where you are and how near you are.

The people who ussually oppose this are those who are affected by the construction , noise and unsightly tracks (personal preference here). Of course if you ask them to pay 6 to 10 times more for the commute then they ussually begin to see the light.

i saw this thread about transjakarta and i cannot believe that their bus system looked so good. the busses were all custom made and have their own stations with magnetic card readers. the busses have their own lane completly blocked from traffic not like the bus lane in edsa and passengers can only go out at the staions because the doors were placed up high.

Nah, those bus lines in Jakarta also get stuck in the intersections. The three existing metro lines in Manila is proper enough.. We need more lines though..

sounds to me like just an MRT on gas.

Yes, it's a fact that the Metro does desperately need an efficient and reliable rail/bus system in place, but we also deperately need the funding for these. At least dreams are still free. :colgate:

Too bad. I guess you have never ridden the new generation of subways like the one in Bangkok then. Ho ho. :D

No I haven't. What's the difference? The tunnels look nicer? LOL. I just stated my personal taste in the rider's perspective regarding subways. As Bustero said, the majority prefer above ground mass transit and not only for financial reasons but in the rider's perspective. For sure if you want a beautiful city and land not wasted on rail tracks, go subway! You just have to walk along Taft. Ave and see the massive elevated track that blocks a nice view of De la Salle Univ. Hall.

exactly...

No I haven't. What's the difference? The tunnels look nicer? LOL. I.

The tunnels certainly look nicer. The stations look superb, modern and clean. The trains run quietly, efficiently and very smoothly. Of course, it's not hot inside the stations and the trains, because it's well air conditioned. Basically everything that you can only dream of and have never experienced. Ho Ho Ho. :D

But I'm only speaking about my personal experiences in riding Bangkok's subway though. It certainly could be very different at other places. :D

well, while we're at it, MM desperately needs a better road network, a finished skyway, running water 24/7 in all areas, a cleaner pasig, and less selfish politicians :D

I guess we're just a people good at dreaming then.

i saw this thread about transjakarta and i cannot believe that their bus system looked so good. the busses were all custom made and have their own stations with magnetic card readers. the busses have their own lane completly blocked from traffic not like the bus lane in edsa and passengers can only go out at the staions because the doors were placed up high.

i can see what you mean, same for almost every european city. Low floor buses which accomodates both young and old people... disabled or not... unlike the ones in manila. Stuck in intersections? Thats why there is proper route planning as to where these buses go round town to avoid such things... plus this should also end up getting exclusive bus lanes which in turn would solve that problem... not just that, you fly by the traffic since this means you dont get stuck in traffic. Plus the electronic card readers which has prepaid amount... i think that is a very good idea too rather than having to pay every single time you go up the jeepney. Not just that you can introduce pre pay plans which lets you ride all the metro manila lines unlimited for a month at a certain price point. Which is very convenient.

End result? more people using the buses ergo less cars in the roads ergo were doing our part not just in a traffic point of view but the greenhouse emissions that our cars produce. And NOT just that... it makes the city look better... and more accomodating to passengers esp those that are unfamiliar with manila... plus manila i think needs to implement proper bus stops.. too many jeepneys (i know its heritage but sorry it is just imo in this modern day we have to keep up with public transport efficiency and jeepneys are just inconvenient)

I'm no fan of jeepneys my self. Apart from some arrogant and surly drivers who think of themselves as Kings of the Road, they pick passengers up wherever and whenever they want. Although some of them rely on the jeepney as their only source of income, we have to move on now. It's high time that the government in every city in the Philippines should think of what's best for their city in terms of transportation.

Eventually we will have to move on to a system like this. Unfortunately vested interests make it difficult to make neccesary changes. Even chaning th fuel of buses which is better for everyone and the environment and even their own pocket books is opposed by bus companies.

If GMA is serious about her vision for the RP to be a first world nation by 2020 then plans should already be started to start phasing out jeepneys and tricycles in key metropolises in the next 10 years as these impede productivity and will ultimately prevent growth. A BRT could take the place of these and complement a rail based system.

I would prefer to spend the 5billion$ needed to put up 1 subway line to build 5 above grade lrts.

Of all the arteries that I can think off, C-5 is one that could use a BRT system. Butone has to remember that the MRT/LRT lines planned for Metro Manila should never ever be replaced by a BRT system. Our main arteries are clogged up as it is and the demand is so great that rail is the only option to solve our congestion. Never mind the usual "attracting people out of the cars" or "buses suck, rail rocks" arguments in the usual BRT vs LRT debate. Increased capacity is an absolute necessity here and ONLY rail based systems can do that.

I would prefer it to be all rail based but for lines which will never afford it a BRT would do. A good example is Herran/PedroGil Pasig line. One of the original tranvia routes. Heavily trafficked by jeepneys and buses currently. These will never get a massbased lrt, but a brt would work. By brt I'm not saying individual lanes for the buses but a system that would force people to load and unload in thestations similar to the curitiba model, these should be networked with the payment system linked with all buses and trains and boats.

^^ A lot of people already whine and complain that our MRT/LRT lines are filled to the brink. Can you imagine how bad it would even be if those high capacity (and YES to naysayers, LRT1 and MRT3 train cars ARE HIGH CAPACITY...the squeezing of people is an indication on how huge the demand is in Metro Manila) weren't present?

Nah, our MRT/LRT lines are much more ideal for Metro Manila. They currently have plans to construct more lines which they should pursue as soon as possible. Yes, they could put some BRT lines in Metro Manila to compliment the MRT system in minor routes to replace the (dare i say it) jeepney. But going full board with BRT instead of MRT would be a total no-no.

TransJakarta works well, but it is far from perfect. Jakarta is still a very car dependent city so taking away one lane of traffic has caused massive traffic jams. And for a city of 15 or so million people (similar to MM), buses themselves are not enough. They often get stuck in intersections and the buses are overcrowded most of the time (not just rush hour). That is why i really hope Jakarta can get its Monorail and subway problems straightened out so they can finally build and complete these projects.

I would prefer to spend the 5billion$ needed to put up 1 subway line to build 5 above grade lrts.

That pretty much sums it up!:okay:

The tunnels certainly look nicer. The stations look superb, modern and clean. The trains run quietly, efficiently and very smoothly. Of course, it's not hot inside the stations and the trains, because it's well air conditioned. Basically everything that you can only dream of and have never experienced. Ho Ho Ho. :D

But I'm only speaking about my personal experiences in riding Bangkok's subway though. It certainly could be very different at other places. :D

:lol: He's talking about the tunnels not the stations. For sure the stations look nice, but how about the tunnels that riders are forced to look out during the commute. How can they look nicer? It's still a concrete tunnel!

^I think BRT would be good for Manila (city proper) since the only existing line there is LRT1 and there are no plans to build LRTs in the short-term. Same with Pasig-Manila

:lol: He's talking about the tunnels not the stations. For sure the stations look nice, but how about the tunnels that riders are forced to look out during the commute. How can they look nicer? It's still a concrete tunnel!

I don't know how to exactly describe it. Guess you have to be there in person to understand it. :lol:

TGTG,

You was banned once by the offensive remarks you continuously used against other forummers.
Just a reminder.

:ohno:

ang objective naman is to transfer from one place to another... hindi ka naman namamasyal e....("j)

ang objective naman is to transfer from one place to another... hindi ka naman namamasyal e....("j)

Kasama na rin yun. ;)

I don't know how to exactly describe it. Guess you have to be there in person to understand it. :lol:

Well, I always take the NYC subway, and I enjoy riding on the elevated tracks than the subway. You'll get to see the beauty of density and its environs + extra convenience of using the phone in case of emergency + safe from floods during seasonal heavy rains. ;)

Since it's also less costly to build a subway, we can lay them out as many as possible the funding can provide.

this thread is becoming an underground rail vs. elevated rail thread.... ganito na lang, why won't we propose to the government to reconstruct the existing system having a combination of elevated and underground lines and allowing full metro cars? parang hong kong mtr at singapore mrt... both systems underground sa downtown areas then elevated sa suburban areas except for hong kong mtr's tung chung line na mostly elevated and at-grade.... then para sa mga CBD ng metro manila, we should also propose to the government to construct REAL elevated LRT lines na connected sa mga main MRT lines

i think Metro Manila's traffic will be solved if all motorists will obey the traffic laws. but i also think that na maganda kung sophisticated ang MRT system, commuter rail system, bus system at taxis natin. we should look at Hong Kong and take it as an example. bus routes are organized, few bus companies are allowed to operate, combination of single and double deckers buses are being used, taxis are being leased from the government and are regulated by the government, light buses are used for routes that cannot be used by regular buses, the MTR system connects the downtown areas efficiently and the KCR commuter rail system connects the suburbs with the downtown areas efficiently.

TGTG,

You was banned once by the offensive remarks you continuously used against other forummers.
Just a reminder.

:ohno:

Please don't be a sissy.

this thread is becoming an underground rail vs. elevated rail thread.... ganito na lang, why won't we propose to the government to reconstruct the existing system having a combination of elevated and underground lines and allowing full metro cars? parang hong kong mtr at singapore mrt... both systems underground sa downtown areas then elevated sa suburban areas except for hong kong mtr's tung chung line na mostly elevated and at-grade.... then para sa mga CBD ng metro manila, we should also propose to the government to construct REAL elevated LRT lines na connected sa mga main MRT lines

I don't think many people would also object putting a subway line if its financially and logistically feasible. It's just that many preferred the elevated types for reasons mentioned previously including me.

what if elevated nga.. makikita mo naman pagnamamasyal ka ay squatters area...kalawanging bubungan... wag nalang hehehehe... ("j)

Nah, our MRT/LRT lines are much more ideal for Metro Manila. They currently have plans to construct more lines which they should pursue as soon as possible. Yes, they could put some BRT lines in Metro Manila to compliment the MRT system in minor routes to replace the (dare i say it) jeepney. But going full board with BRT instead of MRT would be a total no-no.

TransJakarta works well, but it is far from perfect. Jakarta is still a very car dependent city so taking away one lane of traffic has caused massive traffic jams. And for a city of 15 or so million people (similar to MM), buses themselves are not enough. They often get stuck in intersections and the buses are overcrowded most of the time (not just rush hour). That is why i really hope Jakarta can get its Monorail and subway problems straightened out so they can finally build and complete these projects.

Yes i agree. Their buses are still not capable of transporting large number of individuals as efficiently as a mass transit can do. An efficient bus transport system is Singapore's - but then that is an entirely different story and should not compared with Manila and Jakarta.

Jakarta has had plans for a mass rail transit system in the 90s but that plan has not hit ground so far.

Manila's mass transit system is very well utilized especially MRT3. I just do not understand, puro bitin ang end of the line.

Example?
MRT3, i do not understand why they planned only up to EDSA cor West Ave when the end of the line is suppose to be Monumento.

LRT2 also does not start in Antipolo where the bulk of the passengers begin and ends in Avenida instead of Divisoria where logically and trade-wise, it should have ended.

When planning for mass transit, inputs from the commuters and travellers should have been considered. The planners should have - "kuha ang pintig ng masa".

And EDSA, supposedly the premiere highway, has an awful lot of rough sections. We are competing globally already, so it is due for repair and upgrade.

Kung maganda ang set up at urban development ng MM hindi sana problema ang paglagay ng subways.

Kung maglalagay tayo, mas malaki pa ang gagastusin sa pag ayos ng right of way maliban sa paghuhukay palang.

Ang mahirap pa tuwing tag-ulan na madalas sa atin, at hindi maganda ang sewage system sa atin, madaling bahain yan. Kung dito nga sa NY na binabaha ang subways kapag malakas ang ulan na maganda ang drainage at sewage system, dyan pa?

Okay nalang kung makakita ako ng mga kalawanging bubungan basta hindi ka masyadong mahassle sa pagbiyahe mo tuwing umuulan.

Bago tayo maglagay ng subway, marami pa talaga ang aayusin sa atin and that means +$$$$ dahil sa ganda ng urban planning and dev't sa MM.

Parang may iapapa-ban na naman ako dito ah.. ;)

"You was banned"

I like this. It sounds so original. I remember a phrase by NBAer Calvin Murphy to Moses Malone one time.

"Moses, you is the baddest guy in the league."

"You was banned"

I like this. It sounds so original. I remember a phrase by NBAer Calvin Murphy to Moses Malone one time.

"Moses, you is the baddest guy in the league."

You is funny. :D

matanong ko lang sino yung ibaban mo ASKAL82??("j)

hinay hinay lang sya dito. Baka nde nya alam na teritoryo natin to. :)

matanong ko lang sino yung ibaban mo ASKAL82??("j)

ang ibaban nya eh si TGTG.. :lol:

while waiting for a north-bound train at the Cubao Station., :)

http://i10.tinypic.com/4trqzjc.jpg

The MRT is waaay too crowded for its own good.

I personally hate subways, but for Manila, perhaps some lines (like line 1) need to be fully underground.

And when it comes to having a view, the LRT-2's view ain't all that pretty. It's a world class line and all, but looking outside gives one the impression that Manila is one big squatter colony.

subway will help ease the traffic, instead of building more elevated rail system. subway is expensive but effective. :cheers:

Stomach in, chest out, chin in. no rolling of eyeballs.

:lol: He's talking about the tunnels not the stations. For sure the stations look nice, but how about the tunnels that riders are forced to look out during the commute. How can they look nicer? It's still a concrete tunnel!

What about the person on the sidewalk who has to put up with the huge ass pillars (at-grade or elevated, there will always be pillars for crossings and what not).

The comment about construction cost makes sense, if you have enough money, build a subway, in my opinion.

LRT2 was dead this afternoon., together with the blackout at some parts of metro manila.,. i was inside one of the stranded trains., good thing is, we stopped at betty go belmonte., :) so i just took the jeep all the way to school., :)

i assume they resumed opperations as soon as the power was back., :) since, i used the line nung umuwi ako., :)

(for those stranded passengers., our the next ride was free! so we just presented the magnetic card that we werent able to use as we left betty go, since wala ngang kuryente., )

I am not sure if these had been posted already. But it seems that the government is really bullish in finishing the complete MRT/LRT plans. These slides came from the NEDA website: Comprehensive and Integrated Infrastructure Program (CIIP) NEDA (http://www.neda.gov.ph/)


MRT 7

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_1.jpg


MRT LRT Loop

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_2.jpg

LRTA Line 6

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_3.jpg


MRT 3 Capacity Expansion

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_5.jpg


LRTA Line 2

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_6.jpg


LRTA-NAIA Connector

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_7.jpg

$1.23-B MRT-7 bidders retreat
UNIVERSAL LRT CONSORTIUM HAS THE EDGE IN SWISS CHALLENGE
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/06272007/headlines01.html
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter

THE government is now finalizing a contract with Universal LRT for the biggest infrastructure project yet of the Arroyo administration, estimated at $1.23 billion, after prospective bidders failed to submit on Tuesday their proposals for the Metro Rail Transit-7.

Sumitomo Corp., Worldchi Finance Group Ltd., an investment company based in Hong Kong, and Filipino firm Izumo Contractors were the ones that did not submit bids, thus giving Universal the edge in the Swiss challenge put on offer by government earlier for the project it wants completed by mid-2012.

With the unchallenged offer of Universal LRT—a consortium led by EL International Holdings, a member of the EL Group of Companies of Hong Kong—the government is poised to award the contract to the consortium.

The committee will submit the result of the Swiss challenge to Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza. A recommendation will then be submitted to the National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee (Neda-ICC) for approval.

Universal LRT has submitted an unsolicited proposal to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain the MRT Line-7 project under a build, gradual transfer, operate and maintain scheme, a variant of the build-transfer-operate contractual arrangement.

Line-7 has a length of 23 kilometers with 14 stations connected to the MRT-3 North Avenue station in Quezon City. It will traverse Commonwealth Avenue, Regalado Avenue and Quirino Avenue extension up to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. It will have a 22-km access road.

Universal LRT chief executive officer Eli Levin has said that given the magnitude of the investment and the stringent requirements of government, he doubts that their proposal will be matched.

He said they will finance the project with a combination of debt and equity. “There will be a $309-million equity investment and $926-million debt.”

Of the $926 million, Levin said $126 million will be in a form of untied loans to finance the civil works portion of the project, he said, while a number of foreign banks have already expressed interest to facilitate the loan. The remaining $800 million will be sourced from export credit agencies.

The $309-million equity will be equally shouldered by the contractors, multilateral institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, and real-estate developers. “There will be an equity investment coming from people who have interest in the project.”

The closing of the project’s financial aspect is expected to happen 18 months after the contract is awarded to Universal LRT, according to Levin, who added, “If we can have the final contract signed by June this year then we could start construction at the end of 2008 and finish it by mid-2012.”

Under the proposed contract, the government will support the MRT-7 project with a $108-million advance payments to Universal LRT good for 10 years. Funding will come from the taxes that will be paid by the township project. The rail project has a real-estate component to allow the government to sufficiently recover the subsidy that it would provide. The revenue from the property during the 25-year period is expected to reach $4.4 billion.

The consortium had planned to construct 2,500 residential units and 300 office units every year on a 174-hectare area in Bulacan and a 22-kilometer access road with a 20-hectare bus and train depot in the same area.

Fares for the railway system designed to decongest the East Avenue and Commonwealth corridor will be pegged at an average of P27. This will go up every year.

I am not sure if these had been posted already. But it seems that the government is really bullish in finishing the complete MRT/LRT plans. These slides came from the NEDA website: Comprehensive and Integrated Infrastructure Program (CIIP) NEDA (http://www.neda.gov.ph/)


MRT 7

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_1.jpg


MRT LRT Loop

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_2.jpg

LRTA Line 6

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_3.jpg


MRT 3 Capacity Expansion

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_5.jpg


LRTA Line 2

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_6.jpg


LRTA-NAIA Connector

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/CIIP_7.jpg

thanks for these.,

these are actually new., :)

^^ Indeed! This is the first time we actually saw a map with LRT7 on it and the information is very useful! :okay:

looks like the map also has a plot for C-6.., although, c6 wont pass through marikina., so that must be wrong., ewan.,

its nice to see the plan for the masinag extension., kelan kaya yan., super tagal., and bakit 2 stations lang.,?!?! sta. lucia ang masinag? dapat meron sa gitna., sa filinvest dapat.,

Metrolink bags P230-M contract for LRT (http://businessmirror.com.ph/06282007/companies01.html)
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter


METROLINK JV has bagged the P230-million consultancy contract for the construction of the North Extension railway project.

Metrolink bested Schema Konsult-DCCD Engineering Corporation-Katahira & Engineers, Asia Inc.-Asia Halcrow Inc. and SPI-JCCS-WCI Joint Venture.

The North Extension Project is estimated to cost P6.57 billion.

All firms were deemed qualified after the submission and opening of their eligibility documents and letters of intent last February. They have proven track records in the rail industry not only in the Philippines but also internationally.

The agency received offers from seven bidders during the prequalification bid but only the three firms were selected.

“Out of the three, we awarded the contract to Metrolink JV a couple of weeks ago. They are composed of Filipino and Japanese firms that are very experienced in this kind of project. They will come up with a feasibility study,” said Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Melquiades Robles in a phone interview.

The North Extension Project will extend the LRT Line 1 to the north, through the construction of a 5.4-kilometer elevated line from the existing Monumento Station to the North Avenue station of the Metro Rail Transit 3. This will close the Edsa loop.

The North Extension is a top priority project of the Arroyo administration. It is expected to serve up to 1 million passengers once it is fully operational.

Robles said the project’s implementation is track and construction of the extension will begin early next year.

The Transit Authority is the implementing agency for this project. Robles said the North Extension railway system is still the cheapest, fastest and most viable option. That’s why President Arroyo entrusted the project’s implementation to their office.

“If undertaken by us, the project will only cost P6.57 billion, since we already have the needed rolling stock and we will only have to construct four stations,” he said.

The Transit Authority has a total fleet of 135 light rail vehicles, including 48 newly inaugurated third-generation trains. It has increased capacity from 27,000 passengers per hour per direction to 40,000.

Other proponents have offered to close the loop for P34.2 billion, Robles said.

These extensions and expansions plans for Metro Manila's or [being geographically correct] CALABARZON's + Central Luzon's, all seem confusing to me. Which plan is which? There has been so many revisions to the masterplans it has gotten so bizarrely confusing!

So...how many lines will there, eventually, be anyway? :?

Metrolink bags P230-M contract for LRT (http://businessmirror.com.ph/06282007/companies01.html)
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter


METROLINK JV has bagged the P230-million consultancy contract for the construction of the North Extension railway project.

Metrolink bested Schema Konsult-DCCD Engineering Corporation-Katahira & Engineers, Asia Inc.-Asia Halcrow Inc. and SPI-JCCS-WCI Joint Venture.

The North Extension Project is estimated to cost P6.57 billion.

All firms were deemed qualified after the submission and opening of their eligibility documents and letters of intent last February. They have proven track records in the rail industry not only in the Philippines but also internationally.

The agency received offers from seven bidders during the prequalification bid but only the three firms were selected.

“Out of the three, we awarded the contract to Metrolink JV a couple of weeks ago. They are composed of Filipino and Japanese firms that are very experienced in this kind of project. They will come up with a feasibility study,” said Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Melquiades Robles in a phone interview.

The North Extension Project will extend the LRT Line 1 to the north, through the construction of a 5.4-kilometer elevated line from the existing Monumento Station to the North Avenue station of the Metro Rail Transit 3. This will close the Edsa loop.

The North Extension is a top priority project of the Arroyo administration. It is expected to serve up to 1 million passengers once it is fully operational.

Robles said the project’s implementation is track and construction of the extension will begin early next year.

The Transit Authority is the implementing agency for this project. Robles said the North Extension railway system is still the cheapest, fastest and most viable option. That’s why President Arroyo entrusted the project’s implementation to their office.

“If undertaken by us, the project will only cost P6.57 billion, since we already have the needed rolling stock and we will only have to construct four stations,” he said.

The Transit Authority has a total fleet of 135 light rail vehicles, including 48 newly inaugurated third-generation trains. It has increased capacity from 27,000 passengers per hour per direction to 40,000.

Other proponents have offered to close the loop for P34.2 billion, Robles said.

Cool, so SM North EDSA and TriNoma would only be one ride away from any LRT1 station.

bags the contract.. i cant wait for the construction to work..

Metrolink bags P230-M contract for LRT (http://businessmirror.com.ph/06282007/companies01.html)
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter


METROLINK JV has bagged the P230-million consultancy contract for the construction of the North Extension railway project.

Metrolink bested Schema Konsult-DCCD Engineering Corporation-Katahira & Engineers, Asia Inc.-Asia Halcrow Inc. and SPI-JCCS-WCI Joint Venture.

The North Extension Project is estimated to cost P6.57 billion.

All firms were deemed qualified after the submission and opening of their eligibility documents and letters of intent last February. They have proven track records in the rail industry not only in the Philippines but also internationally.

The agency received offers from seven bidders during the prequalification bid but only the three firms were selected.

“Out of the three, we awarded the contract to Metrolink JV a couple of weeks ago. They are composed of Filipino and Japanese firms that are very experienced in this kind of project. They will come up with a feasibility study,” said Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Melquiades Robles in a phone interview.

The North Extension Project will extend the LRT Line 1 to the north, through the construction of a 5.4-kilometer elevated line from the existing Monumento Station to the North Avenue station of the Metro Rail Transit 3. This will close the Edsa loop.

The North Extension is a top priority project of the Arroyo administration. It is expected to serve up to 1 million passengers once it is fully operational.

Robles said the project’s implementation is track and construction of the extension will begin early next year.

The Transit Authority is the implementing agency for this project. Robles said the North Extension railway system is still the cheapest, fastest and most viable option. That’s why President Arroyo entrusted the project’s implementation to their office.

“If undertaken by us, the project will only cost P6.57 billion, since we already have the needed rolling stock and we will only have to construct four stations,” he said.

The Transit Authority has a total fleet of 135 light rail vehicles, including 48 newly inaugurated third-generation trains. It has increased capacity from 27,000 passengers per hour per direction to 40,000.

Other proponents have offered to close the loop for P34.2 billion, Robles said.

early next year? sana lang., sana lang., please., :)