Metro Manila LRT and MRT Lines - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 19

renell

May 30th, 2008, 10:19 AM

Hard to tell, lets see

http://www.metrography.net/cgi-local/mmg-station/archives/lrt2_train.jpg

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/5765/sel15im.jpg

those trains aren't very long, I just realized. Looks like a 4 car train - though I presume that's the maximum length for the stations i.e. if you expand the train length it won't fit in the stations.

Here in Sydney there's an 8 car train in peak-hour, though to be honest I'd rather 4 car trains that are frequent rather than the situation I face every morning.

Platform doors can be quite hard to install in open air stations, that's about all of the MRT/LRT stations bar 2-3. In the Olympic Park station here there's "Pre-platform doors" which restrict people waiting near the edge, so if it's full you have to wait further back. At the moment they should get those guards like in Japan, although not for pushing purposes but to keep clearways and facilitate quick alightment and boarding.

Manila-X

May 30th, 2008, 11:52 AM

those trains aren't very long, I just realized. Looks like a 4 car train - though I presume that's the maximum length for the stations i.e. if you expand the train length it won't fit in the stations.

Here in Sydney there's an 8 car train in peak-hour, though to be honest I'd rather 4 car trains that are frequent rather than the situation I face every morning.

Platform doors can be quite hard to install in open air stations, that's about all of the MRT/LRT stations bar 2-3. In the Olympic Park station here there's "Pre-platform doors" which restrict people waiting near the edge, so if it's full you have to wait further back. At the moment they should get those guards like in Japan, although not for pushing purposes but to keep clearways and facilitate quick alightment and boarding.

I meant the width :) Currently the LRT-2 runs on 4 cars. But it can be configured to run more. Its the same with MTR's East Rail Line

bustero

May 30th, 2008, 01:19 PM

Platform doors can be quite hard to install in open air stations, that's about all of the MRT/LRT stations bar 2-3.

Why is it hard to install?

manchowyin

May 30th, 2008, 01:58 PM

Maybe they don't have to be full-height doors, like the ones at the Hong Kong Disneyland station or at some stations of the Taipei MRT (e.g., Taipei Train Station).

TAIPEI MAIN STATION

http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/wp-content/uploads/mrt-train-zhxfxstn.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/131/318271115_a9d40360db.jpg

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

http://media.hkdlsource.com/image/guestinfo/gettingthere002.jpg

http://www.travel-hongkong-attractions.com/images/disneyland-station-fltform.jpg

kratos1211

May 30th, 2008, 07:24 PM

Our LRT/MRT trains

photos from flickr

LRT1 1G
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2535820465_0e74476681.jpg?v=0

LRT1 2G
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2536699878_df6bbb89a4.jpg

LRT1 3G
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2535840233_23f49c7c0b.jpg?v=0

MRT2
originally posted by ryanr
December 5th, 2005
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2535991043_6e53dd54e5.jpg?v=0

MRT3
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2535936669_6025dfa7a9.jpg?v=0

brownman

May 30th, 2008, 08:17 PM

those trains aren't very long, I just realized. Looks like a 4 car train - though I presume that's the maximum length for the stations i.e. if you expand the train length it won't fit in the stations.

Here in Sydney there's an 8 car train in peak-hour, though to be honest I'd rather 4 car trains that are frequent rather than the situation I face every morning.

Platform doors can be quite hard to install in open air stations, that's about all of the MRT/LRT stations bar 2-3. In the Olympic Park station here there's "Pre-platform doors" which restrict people waiting near the edge, so if it's full you have to wait further back. At the moment they should get those guards like in Japan, although not for pushing purposes but to keep clearways and facilitate quick alightment and boarding.

Yea, it's a 4car train, maximum the stations could accomodate. In Singapore, all lines run with a 6car train except for the upcoming Circle Line (Yellow Line) which will only be having 3car trainset. Here's SBS Transit (NEL/Purple Line)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1191/1438688970_e48de478c5_o.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ne14hougang.jpg
photos courtesy of flickr.com and Wikipedia

The trains are from French Manufacturer Alstom and are unmanned.

ryanr

May 30th, 2008, 10:35 PM

MRT2
originally posted by ryanr
December 5th, 2005
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2535991043_6e53dd54e5.jpg?v=0

A great photo, but I'm getting too much credit for it:D It was taken by swatch69sg (SSC member that i havent seen online for a while).

I like the doors in the disneyland and taipei station. MRT/LRTA should look into installing those.

3cr

May 31st, 2008, 02:48 AM

Oh No not again. Say it ain't so. Hanjin has stop work on the railway project and now a possible controvery/scandal on the MRT? GMA's legacy projects are turning into white elephants. The country needs these projects dang it!

Are you all aware that the new MRT 7 line is tainted with a much larger scale of corruption than the ZTE deal?

the MRT 7 project has already been approved by the govt and therefore the contract is ready to be consummated. the original contract was estimated at a cost of just a little over $1 billion. this contract amount came from the foreign project proponents.but when it was signed by GMA the price ballooned to over $2 billion. so it means there is a TONG-PATS (patong) of roughly 100%. Given that the full technical specifications are one and the same. so the amended contract therefore did not warrant a bigger amount as the specs are 100% the same!

too bad, all the older friends from the biggest business organizations are included in the TONG-PATS business that this administration is pushing for!

the NEDA documents will surely show the discrepancies and the alleged massive corruption in this particular project. but obviuosly and unfortunately is not being released by NEDA becasue of executive privelege which has more weight than the peoples right to know!!

...abangan nalang natin ang mga susunod na kabanata tungkol dito!!

I saw for myself those evidences regarding the MRT 7. the sources are our foreign friends who happen to be the main proponents of this project and who happens to be our close neighbors aswell..

dude, this deal will surely be in courts so just wait for it!!!although some people are already moving to get the amended contract from NEDA but unfortunately with memo from the president, these documets cannot be released by NEDA.

yes, at a proper time it will be in court.im sure you know that these processes cannot be filed just like that.that is why many groups are now gathering more information to pin the culprits down!

im just stating the facts early on!!so people can really see for themselves and be curious once all this gets the full attention of the country!!

le Reine

May 31st, 2008, 03:12 AM

^^MRT 7 is private enterprise, right?

richard24

May 31st, 2008, 05:16 AM

yes xp., :) the philippine government will not spend a dime in this project., this isnt a loan or an ODA whatsoever., the line 7 is fully private funded.. pano nagkaroon ng "tongpats"? maniniwala pakong may corruption dito kung kahapon lang pinropose to at biglang naaprove the next day.

chaka foreign ba ang proponent ng line 7? diba si eli levin lang naman to chaka sila sy? may kasama silang mga foreign, pero si eli levin ang pinaka head ng project na to right?

barrera_marquez

May 31st, 2008, 09:16 AM

kratos1211

May 31st, 2008, 07:47 PM

ULC told to post $300-M second bond for MRT7
Business Mirror
By Lenie Lectura
October 18, 2007
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/10182007/headlines08.html

In its proposal, ULC agreed to make the construction and operation deficit-neutral.”

Miranda said this is meant to ensure that the government will not bear the risks that may be encountered in the construction of the project.

Under the proposed contract, the government will advance to ULC $130 million for 10 years from the start of the railway construction—$15 million for the 11th until the 15th year, and $10 million for the 16th up to the 18th year.

These advances will return to government coffers after MRT-7 begins operations.

Government revenue will come from development taxes on the railway’s 194-hectare real-estate component, lease of commercial spaces, and fare earnings.

As part of the deficit-neutral clause, ULC agreed to cut its internal rate of return to 11.9 percent from 16.9 percent. The reduced rate of return means ULC will bear the financial losses if passenger volume and consequently revenues drop.

ULC, as operator, will pay real estate taxes to the local government units in areas where the railway will run through.

I think this is where the tongpats are.

richard24

June 1st, 2008, 04:10 AM

that's waaaay too obvious kung may patong yan. sigurado ka ba jan? oh mala jun lozada nanaman yan na sabi ni ganyan ni ganito blah blah blah... :lol:

wala naman sigurong patong yan., kung meron man yang patong, we would be hearing a lot about it right now., let's just wait., i'd rather have this rail line first..,. this is just tooooo important.

le Reine

June 1st, 2008, 12:35 PM

^^simple lang naman eh. Ang accusation ng isang forumer dito is that it costs $1B to build the MRT7. That alone is already obvious. Sang lupalop ka naman nakakita ng balitang $1B na MRT7? Tapos it will balloon daw to what-$2B! buwahahah... diyan pa lang obvious na may patong nga. KUNG TOTOO MAN ANG BINTANG AH. :lol:

"Under the proposed contract, the government will advance to ULC $130 million for 10 years from the start of the railway construction—$15 million for the 11th until the 15th year, and $10 million for the 16th up to the 18th year."

---hahaha... ang weird. Ang gobyerno ang magbibigay ng pera sa company not the other way around. And there's corruption. Sige na nga. Baka iba kasi pagkakaintindi ko. :lol:

Sa totoo lang, I'm really monitoring this project in the news kasi this would be the second time that the government would involve a private entity in rail project, the first being MRT3. The most interesting part here is the profitability and success of this project since MRT3 is losing money even if it is being subsidized by the government and the government guarantees. It means that the government will bear the financial losses. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Actually, this is the most interesting part of this project:
Government revenue will come from development taxes on the railway’s 194-hectare real-estate component, lease of commercial spaces, and fare earnings.

As part of the deficit-neutral clause, ULC agreed to cut its internal rate of return to 11.9 percent from 16.9 percent. The reduced rate of return means ULC will bear the financial losses if passenger volume and consequently revenues drop.

Igsuonnimo

June 1st, 2008, 05:36 PM

just sharing ...

Tube party sees 17 revellers arrested (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/01/2261739.htm)

The ban on alcohol is designed to make London transport safer for the public.

Police arrested 17 people and had to close six London Underground stations after a party involving thousands of revellers to mark the last day of drinking alcohol on the tube turned ugly.

Six assaults were reported on underground rail staff and police, and several damaged trains had to be withdrawn from service on a night of mayhem that had been dubbed "Last Round on the Underground" by revellers.

The festivities were at first good-natured with partygoers wearing fancy dress as they swigged beer and wine, dancing and singing in the railway carriages.

But police moved in when the mood turned sour and fighting erupted, spoiling what officers had called "a fun event."

The London transport ban on alcohol is designed to make buses, tubes and trains safer for the public but unions fear staff could be put in greater danger when they have to confront those breaking the ban.

The ban was a key manifesto pledge of new London Mayor Boris Johnson's election campaign, and just days after his victory over Ken Livingstone, he announced plans to enact the measure.

"I'm determined to improve the safety and security of public transport in London and create a better environment for the millions of Londoners who rely on it," he said.

"I firmly believe that if we drive out so called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime."

The ban will apply to buses, underground trains, trams and stations.

Staff on front line

However the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' (RMT) Union called the booze ban "half-baked" and said it could lead to more assaults on tube staff who will be in the front line against "aggressive drunken behaviour".

"The ban has been poorly thought through, is being implemented in haste and could put our members in danger," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said.

"Violence against tube staff is already a major problem, particularly from people who have been drinking, but now our members will be expected to approach people drinking and stop them or even remove them from the train or station."

Tackling crime, particularly serious violence among young people, was one of the main planks of Mr Johnson's election campaign and he has already vowed to put it at the forefront of his mayoralty.

"Public drinking and the behaviour sometimes associated with it can, and does, deeply affect people's ability to enjoy public spaces," Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern said.

"Taking a firm approach to public drinking in this way sends a strong message that public drunkenness is socially unacceptable and will support both the public and transport staff."

- Reuters (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/01/2261739.htm)

London Tube line shut down amid 'drinks party' (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/01/2261487.htm)

The London transport system has been heavily disrupted as thousands of revellers held an unauthorised "drinks party" on underground trains before an alcohol ban went into effect.

The key Circle Line, which serves some of the capital's most exclusive districts, was shut down as thousands of people gathered for a booze-up on Tube trains after being rallied by social networking websites.

"There are problems on the Circle Line and it has been stopped," a London Transport Police spokesman said.

David Mudkips, a 25-year-old computer programmer, described the experience on one of the trains packed with revellers as: "Like rush hour but fun."

"There were people's sweaty armpits in my face but I didn't care because I was drinking," he said.

Police made at least six arrests as the behaviour of the crowds became increasingly boisterous.

Thousands of people had signed up for the party on Facebook sites with names like "The Booze Tube" and "One Final Tube Booze Party".

From Sunday, anyone caught drinking from, or even carrying, open containers of alcohol will be ejected from trains and buses.

Newly-elected London Mayor Boris Johnson introduced the alcohol ban in one of his first acts in office.

"I firmly believe that banning the drinking of alcohol on London's public transport will create a better travelling environment for all Londoners and that if we drive out anti-social behaviour and so called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime," Mr Johnson said.

- AFP (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/01/2261487.htm)

leechtat

June 3rd, 2008, 01:06 PM

renell

June 3rd, 2008, 01:27 PM

Why is it hard to install?

Well from the looks of it, LRT stations, especially the Yellow Line's don't have very big platforms, I'm not an engineer but I guess this would set back the "waiting line" about 2-3 meters. Also considering the fact that there are three different trains for each line, there will need to be three different types of doors according to train length and specification. You'd probably have to gut the existing platforms too. Plus that would probably take longer than 1 Holy Week to do that, i.e. disruptions.

These are all guesses though, I could be wrong.

3cr

June 6th, 2008, 03:27 AM

MRT-3 operator wants govt to buy more trains
Manila Times
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/06/yehey/business/20080606bus5.html

The operator of Metro Rail Transit-Line 3 (MRT-3)has sought the legal opinion of the Department of Justice about the plan of government to procure more trains through the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in its bid to lessen congestion of passengers.

“The Metro Rail Transit Corp. [MRTC] has no plans to buy new trains, so the government will procure more trains through DOTC,” Roberto Lastimoso, general manager of Metro Rail Transit Authority, said in an interview.

He said the government plans to buy 73 light rail vehicle (LRV) trains to meet the growing number of passengers at MRT-3.

MRTC, which owns the assets of MRT-3, is a consortium led by Sobrepena family’s Fil-Estate Management. Other investors include Ayala Land, Inc., Anglo-Philippine Holdings Corp., Ramcar, Inc. and Greenfield Development Corp.

“They [MRTC] have the right of first refusal; without their approval, the government cannot procure additional trains,” Lastimoso said, adding that the government is “looking at 2010 or late 2009 for the delivery of 30 new trains” for the first phase and 43 for the second phase.

The government estimated that it needs about $67 million to purchase 30 three-car trains with three minutes headway or four-car trains with 2.5 minutes headway. At present, the system is using a three-car train with three minutes headway.

The “emergency capacity expansion” is needed to meet the projected 30,031 passengers’ per peak hour demand by 2010.

Last year, Lastimoso said that average daily passenger rose to 410,000. The MRT-3 system is designed to cover only about 23,600 passengers per peak hour, but now the demand ballooned to 25,753 during rush hour. The MRT-3 demand of 23,600 had been breached as early as 2004.

On August 30, the government through the DOTC and the Department of Finance entered into an agreement with the private consortium led by the Fil-Estate group to buyout the build-lease-transfer (BLT) contract of the MRTC for $865 million, ahead of the period stipulated in the concession agreement.

The early buyout will result in $380-million worth of savings for the government, according to Finance Secretary Margarito Teves. An earlier study, however, showed that the savings can run to $1 billion.

The MRT-3 was built to speed up the commute and alleviate the chronic traffic congestion along EDSA. But the current capacity of the system is inadequate to meet the first goal, let alone the second.

At present, the rail system has a fleet of 73 Czech-made air-conditioned rail cars, of which up to 60 three-car trains operate daily. The trains run at a maximum speed of 65 kilometers per hour to cover the rail system’s 13 stations in about 30 minutes, including 25-second to 35-second stops in each station.

kalbongdad

June 6th, 2008, 04:52 AM

sa totoo lang.....yung sinasabi nyo...na overloaded na ang mga trains.....wala pa yun....compared to japan.....sa tokyo...passengers are literally squeezed into the trains...by pushing them inside....meron uniformed guy...that pushes those in the door para masiksik at liglig ang tren...i can attest to that since i've seen it myself....natawa nga ako....siguro dito sa pinas pag ginawa yon bugbugan na....dito sa may pinto lang nagkakakiskisan...although i admit na inconvenient ito during rush hours....

ericlucky290

June 6th, 2008, 05:06 AM

But of course we do not want that to happen here in Manila. I hope MRT3 will be as comfortable as LRT 2.

kalbongdad

June 6th, 2008, 05:10 AM

oo naman....dahil i myself apektado...minsan i use mrt3 also....baka ngayon mapadalas...dahil sa mahal ng gas....i may end up saving on gas money....at mag train na lang

bustero

June 6th, 2008, 05:46 AM

Ngayon palang on peak hours it's crush conditions na, many timespadadainin mo ang ilan tren because sobrang puno, the capacity upgrade is way overdue. Hopefully matuloy na ang buyout so that the gov't can already buy new trains for this very important line.

anyway here's some good news, free joy rides!

Vol. XXI, No. 218
Friday, June 6, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The Nation
Free train rides on freedom day

COMMUTERS WILL get free rides from the two lines operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on June 12 as part of the state-run railway’s celebration of Independence Day.

Free rides will be offered on Line 1, or Yellow Line, from Baclaran in Parañaque City to Monumento in Caloocan City, and in the Purple Line from Santolan station in Marikina City to Recto station in Manila from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate rush-hour commuters, LRTA Spokesman Jinky Jorgio said.

"This is our treat to Filipino commuters every Independence Day," Ms. Jorgio said in a telephone interview.

Also on June 12, the LRTA is unveiling a new marker near its Balintawak station in Quezon City to mark the start of the construction of the LRT-Metro Rail Transit (MRT) loop. MRT traverses the whole of Epifanio de los Santos Ave. from Quezon to Pasay cities. — ABLL

kalbongdad

June 6th, 2008, 05:57 AM

that is good news indeed.....kahit papano makakapamasyal ng libre......hmmm makapagliwaliw nga ng maynila....

wheel of steel

June 6th, 2008, 06:23 AM

Namasada ako ngayon sa PNR... Kulang na lang ilebre yung pamasahe.. P4 lang from Buendia to Espanya Station.. Wow!!!! :banana:

Waldenstrom

June 6th, 2008, 07:54 AM

^^ Di ba nakakatakot sumakay dun? :D

richard24

June 6th, 2008, 07:56 AM

^^ hindi na nakakatakot sa portions na yun, wala na kasing squatters dun eh.

habagatcentral1

June 6th, 2008, 09:38 AM

Saan bang safe portions na pwedeng sakyan sa "Orange Line" or sa PNR?

richard24

June 6th, 2008, 09:42 AM

^^ basta wala nang squatters ok na., :)

nambabato kasi ng tae, ihi, basura, bato, etc etc yung mga squatters.,

habagatcentral1

June 6th, 2008, 09:54 AM

Try ko kayang sumakay from Magallanes to Alabang...Mga ilang oras kaya biyahe? :D

richard24

June 6th, 2008, 09:56 AM

nakakatakot pa ang southern portions., make sure you stay away from open windows or doors.,

habagatcentral1

June 6th, 2008, 09:57 AM

^^ Di ba puro naman yun screened? Anyway, parang risky eh...Try ko na lang northbound.

richard24

June 6th, 2008, 10:02 AM

mejo risky nung sumakay kami., kasi yung isang door, jammed., ayaw sumara., kaya habang nasa bandang sucat area, biglang may nagbato ng malaking bato muntik na tumama sa friend ko., buti nalang walang nasaktan.,

marami kasing mga jammed doors or windows., yung iba, hindi na sinasara talaga. :)

habagatcentral1

June 6th, 2008, 07:17 PM

Just came home and used MRT during a rush hour....
Juice koh!!! It was jampacked plus the fact that the passengers keep pushing the passengers inside might create some injuries....

If one MRT has passed the 2-3minute interval, expect that it will be full...don't force yourself if it is full.

Louman

June 7th, 2008, 04:05 AM

^^ did your butt get groped and/or did you experience an armpit fiesta?

habagatcentral1

June 7th, 2008, 04:11 AM

^^ Both. :colgate:

queetz@home

June 7th, 2008, 04:20 AM

Also on June 12, the LRTA is unveiling a new marker near its Balintawak station in Quezon City to mark the start of the construction of the LRT-Metro Rail Transit (MRT) loop. MRT traverses the whole of Epifanio de los Santos Ave. from Quezon to Pasay cities. — ABLL

Teka muna, teka muna...how come no one is commenting about this yet???? So does this mean June 12 is the beginning of a new era for rail based transit in Metro Manila...construction of the long awaited extension of LRT1 to loop and connect to MRT3 (either physically or to end near the MRT3 terminus station beside Tri Noma) is finally happening?

FOR THE LIFE OF ME PLEASE CLARIFY!!!! :gaah:

Wolf1968 ^_^

June 7th, 2008, 06:39 AM

huh?..di nga.. weeee!!!! ^_^

Gil

June 7th, 2008, 12:19 PM

Saan bang safe portions na pwedeng sakyan sa "Orange Line" or sa PNR?

Anong kulay ba yung MRT 7? Kasi orange na ka lagay sa website nila.

habagatcentral1

June 7th, 2008, 12:23 PM

^^ Dunno, but nakalagay kasi sa Transit System na poster, the south PNR is categorized as Orange daw. Pero I'm not sure.

c0kelitr0

June 7th, 2008, 12:45 PM

Teka muna, teka muna...how come no one is commenting about this yet???? So does this mean June 12 is the beginning of a new era for rail based transit in Metro Manila...construction of the long awaited extension of LRT1 to loop and connect to MRT3 (either physically or to end near the MRT3 terminus station beside Tri Noma) is finally happening?

FOR THE LIFE OF ME PLEASE CLARIFY!!!! :gaah:

masyado daw kasi maaga, no one thought na magsisimula na pala 'to next week??!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

totoo ba 'to? kala ko di ko na maabutan ang start ng construction nito! :lol:

venntro

June 7th, 2008, 01:52 PM

Teka muna, teka muna...how come no one is commenting about this yet???? So does this mean June 12 is the beginning of a new era for rail based transit in Metro Manila...construction of the long awaited extension of LRT1 to loop and connect to MRT3 (either physically or to end near the MRT3 terminus station beside Tri Noma) is finally happening?

FOR THE LIFE OF ME PLEASE CLARIFY!!!! :gaah:

^^ Perhaps posters have become so jaded with previous announcements which did not materialize, that no one even cared to comment. But this is the first time that a specific date was quoted. It's less than a week so we just have to cross our fingers.

Wolf1968 ^_^

June 7th, 2008, 11:37 PM

di nga totoo na ba ito?. walang joke ba ito?.. **** confirm naman po... salamat.. ^_^

leechtat

June 8th, 2008, 07:07 AM

^^ oo nga, sa june 12 daw! yay! ok, since may pasok naman ako sa day na yan, pipicturan ko ang mga pangyayari when i pass by there in the am. naku po.. sana naman, totoo ito.. *cross-fingers*

3cr

June 8th, 2008, 07:36 AM

^^ Sana nga tuloy na to sa June 12. It's about time!

Sky Harbor

June 8th, 2008, 07:41 AM

^^ Dunno, but nakalagay kasi sa Transit System na poster, the south PNR is categorized as Orange daw. Pero I'm not sure.

Southrail is the Orange Line in the SRTS classification. This means that MRT-7 will need to choose another color. I support red.

habagatcentral1

June 8th, 2008, 07:51 AM

^^ Pwedeng periwinkle, fuschia, celadon colors? Hehehe!!! :D

Sky Harbor

June 8th, 2008, 08:08 AM

^^ Yeah, when the SRTS endorses Pokémon. :rofl:

habagatcentral1

June 8th, 2008, 08:16 AM

^^ Uy alam na alam....Playing Pokémon eh? Hehehe!!! :rofl:

Anyway, maybe they should have the transit station of Yellow EDSA and Blue Taft to be more accessible for the disabled. Although Metropoint is there for elevator but what about coming from Manila and have to cross that steep pedestrian overpass in order to go to the Taft Avenue MRT Station.

brownman

June 9th, 2008, 12:58 PM

So finally construction is to start this week. Sana tuluy-tuloy na yan.:banana:

Sinjin P.

June 9th, 2008, 01:18 PM

Sana matuloy nga at walang delay. Alam naman nating lahat ang cultura ng Filipino time. :sleepy:

bustero

June 10th, 2008, 09:49 AM

Ang masasabi ko lang, mukang totoo ang pagumpisa ng paglagay sa June 12 ... ng marker! hehehe ( let's mark the beginning, madaling maglagay ng butas sa kalye pero pagtapos nito eh ibang araw na iyon)

kalbongdad

June 10th, 2008, 10:53 AM

Anong kulay ba yung MRT 7? Kasi orange na ka lagay sa website nila.

if the company constructing it is with lrt1 then it will be yellow still....kung sa mrt3 naman siya din sa blue line pa rin sya...

youdamiren

June 10th, 2008, 01:45 PM

Ang masasabi ko lang, mukang totoo ang pagumpisa ng paglagay sa June 12 ... ng marker! hehehe ( let's mark the beginning, madaling maglagay ng butas sa kalye pero pagtapos nito eh ibang araw na iyon)

Sana mapapicturan ang start ng construction sa June 12 at ipost dito. Can't wait to see the start of contruciton of LRT1/LRT3 loop. Haay!

michael677

June 10th, 2008, 05:15 PM

ito narin ba simula ng pag construct ng pedestrian overpass sa taft-edsa station? almost a month na din may mga poste at mga heavy equipment in that area... this should be a priority also

Wolf1968 ^_^

June 10th, 2008, 10:29 PM

hay..bukas na bukas na..tuloy ba talaga?.. :((

kalbongdad

June 11th, 2008, 05:11 AM

well...i think it would be a good sign if they kick off tomorrow...independence day....so let us exercise our freedom to ride.....

habagatcentral1

June 11th, 2008, 07:51 AM

well...i think it would be a good sign if they kick off tomorrow...independence day....so let us exercise our freedom to ride.....

Oo nga no. Free ride pala bukas...Yehey! Tipid ako! :banana: Good luck at baka magdusa nanaman ako nito sa Taft Station, nyahaha!!! :lol:

kalbongdad

June 11th, 2008, 09:59 AM

bustero

June 11th, 2008, 11:17 AM

naku ha kalbongdad mahilig ka pala sa bling bling :lol:

le Reine

June 11th, 2008, 11:50 AM

well....i will definitely ride sa mrt tom...will try to usyoso...the featured ancestor's gold...sa ayala museum....it was featured sa probe team kakalula ang gold collection that was found in surigao....evidence yon on the kind of soceity that we had before the spanish came....it proves na meron na tayong civilisasyon...nde tau nakatira sa caves or trees...:lol:....o hindi ito oot ha i mentioned mrt sa unang sentence palang...parang gusto ko ring pumunta diyan. san ba yan and how much ticket?

naku ha kalbongdad mahilig ka pala sa bling bling :lol:hindi ko mainmagine si bustero na nagbibiro ng ganito. :lol::rofl:

Bosnyboy

June 11th, 2008, 04:15 PM

nayki

June 11th, 2008, 05:31 PM

well....i will definitely ride sa mrt tom...will try to usyoso...the featured ancestor's gold...sa ayala museum....it was featured sa probe team kakalula ang gold collection that was found in surigao....evidence yon on the kind of soceity that we had before the spanish came....it proves na meron na tayong civilisasyon...nde tau nakatira sa caves or trees...:lol:....o hindi ito oot ha i mentioned mrt sa unang sentence palang...

Napanood ko din, amazing talaga ung mga nakuhang gold pieces.

queetz@home

June 12th, 2008, 12:53 AM

I got this from a newsreport on line specifically abs-cbnnews.com. Report was about tomorrows independence day rites in Monumento. Among the highlight of the ceremonies is laying down the marker where the extension of the LRT1 will start.

Well, GMA7 has it in writing at least... ;)

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/100451/Caloocan-traffic-rerouted-for-June-12-celebrations

Caloocan traffic rerouted for June 12 celebrations
06/11/2008 | 09:29 AM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us

MANILA, Philippines - Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri on Wednesday advised motorists of the rerouting scheme the city government will be implementing Thursday morning in the Monumento area.

In a press statement, Echiverri said the one-day traffic rerouting scheme is to give way for a program in commemoration of the 110th Philippine Independence Day to be held at the Bonifacio Monument .

The official advised all motorists, except public utility buses, coming from Quezon City going to Valenzuela to turn right to MacArthur Highway.

While those coming from Quezon City going to Navotas and Malabon, except buses, must turn right to MacArthur Highway, left to Potrero St., left to Araneta Ave., right to Samson Road and to their destination.

Public utility buses will be allowed to take its usual route of Simon St., exiting Araneta Ave. and then going through Samson Road.

Echiverri said vehicles from Manila to Valenzuela must turn right to either 5th, 8th or 9th Ave. then left to B. Serrano St., right to EDSA and take the second U-turn slot to MacArthur Highway.

Motorist from Manila to Quezon City must turn right to either 5th, 8th or 9th Ave. then left to B. Serrrano St., right to EDSA then to their destination.

Those coming from Manila going to Malabon, Navotas and Letre Road are advised to turn right to 2nd or 3rd Ave., left to M.H. del Pilar St., left to 4th Ave., right to A. Del Mundo St., left to 6th Ave. to C-3 Road.

The vehicles coming from Valenzuela going to Manila must take Samson Road, turn left to Heroes del ’96, left to 10th Ave., right to either Baltazar or Nadurata St., left to 9th Ave. then right to Rizal Ave.

Meanwhile, those coming from Malabon, Navotas and Letre Road to Manila are advised to take Dagat-dagatan Ave., turn left to C-3 Road, right to Rizal Ave.

Public utility jeepneys from Malabon, Letre Road and Sangandaan to Monumento must take A. Mabini street , Torres Bugallon or Heroes del ’96, left to 10th avenue , left to Rizal Avenue . While those going to MCU must turn left to B. Serrano, right to EDSA, take second U-turn slot after A. de Jesus, then back to its origin.

In the press statement, Echiverri said the program - which will start 7 a.m. Thursday - will be followed with the unveiling of the project site where the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) loop would be connected.

He said Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno and Department of Transportation and Communication Sec. Leandro Mendoza will be present to lead the traditional flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at the Bonifacio Monument. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV

stephencua

June 12th, 2008, 03:10 AM

sounds good sounds good.. :)

kalbongdad

June 12th, 2008, 05:49 AM

parang gusto ko ring pumunta diyan. san ba yan and how much ticket?

hindi ko mainmagine si bustero na nagbibiro ng ganito. :lol::rofl:

naku ha kalbongdad mahilig ka pala sa bling bling :lol:

nope nde ako mahilig sa bling.....i don't even wear any jewelry kahit watch....am just amused at the featured gold collection na made in the philippines...on the 10th to 13th century before the spaniards came....i want to pride myself na nde pala tau tao't bato....na nde pala tau cave dwellers....btw you should all visit this...its in ayala museum...its the building that is linked to greenbelt 5.....ticket 200 ata....but it will be worth it...i've seen some of the collection that was in central bank...naka ka amaze...and its the only collection of its kind in the whole world....nde mo ito makikita sa ibang museums....overseas.....proud to be pinoy....mabuhay ang kalayaan.....ok now...let us enjoy that freedom...and visit ayala museum...:lol:

jefflacs

June 12th, 2008, 06:48 AM

'Closed loop' MRT-LRT system construction starts
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080612-142221/Closed-loop-MRT-LRT-system-construction-starts

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 08:41:00 06/12/2008

MANILA, Philippines --The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has officially began the construction of the "closed loop" Metro Rail and Light Rail Transit Systems.

The P6.4 billion project will connect the LRT and MRT, from the Monumento station in Caloocan to the North Avenue station in Quezon City, Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Thursday.

The closed loop train system will run entirely on electricity, making it "fast, efficient, safe, and environment friendly," Mendoza added.

The construction of the closed loop project will start this Thursday and will finish on april 2010, Mendoza said.

It will be operational on may 2010, Mendoza said.

RonnieR

June 12th, 2008, 06:57 AM

Good news!

venntro

June 12th, 2008, 07:07 AM

NOVO ECIJANO

June 12th, 2008, 09:17 AM

^^
its good to know finally

RonnieR

June 12th, 2008, 10:08 AM

^^ How "closed" is this "Closed Loop"? That is the million dollar question. Previous news reports state a "seamless connection" but other reports suggest that the LRT extension may just end at the SM Annex station for future link with MRT 7. Does anyone know if it's really a "closed loop" in every sense of the term?

I heard that they might construct a bridge that would connect SM City Annex LRT to MRT Trinoma mall....although I'm not sure with this. :) The good thing is, the loop is sure to exist. :)

kalbongdad

June 12th, 2008, 12:06 PM

at last.....the loop.....it should be call the loop.....sa london...tawag nila sa underground train system nila...the tube....:)

richard24

June 12th, 2008, 12:33 PM

hehe., libre kanina LRT., :) ang saya! :)

kratos1211

June 12th, 2008, 01:54 PM

:applause::applause:

'Closed loop' MRT-LRT system construction starts
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080612-142221/Closed-loop-MRT-LRT-system-construction-starts

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 08:41:00 06/12/2008

MANILA, Philippines --The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has officially began the construction of the "closed loop" Metro Rail and Light Rail Transit Systems.

The P6.4 billion project will connect the LRT and MRT, from the Monumento station in Caloocan to the North Avenue station in Quezon City, Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Thursday.

The closed loop train system will run entirely on electricity, making it "fast, efficient, safe, and environment friendly," Mendoza added.

The construction of the closed loop project will start this Thursday and will finish on april 2010, Mendoza said.

It will be operational on may 2010, Mendoza said.

manchowyin

June 12th, 2008, 05:59 PM

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

cq40

June 12th, 2008, 11:03 PM

SA WAKAS! sinimulan na rin ang ubod ng kupad sa confused na loop na iyan... Yehey!

arahan

June 12th, 2008, 11:41 PM

DMCI, First Balfour set to
construct LRT North extension

By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter

THE joint venture of D.M. Consunji and First Balfour will start the construction of a mass rail transit that will run from Monumento in Caloocan City to North Avenue in Quezon City next week, an official of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said.

Costing about P6.4 billion, the project involves the construction, including the detailed design of a 5.71-kilometer elevated line from Monumento station of LRT Line 1 to North Avenue of Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3), two new intermediate stations (Balintawak and Roosevelt) and a terminal station (Line 1 North Avenue station).

The Balintawak station will provide modal interchange with bus and jeepney services entering Metro Manila from the north via the North Luzon Expressway.

Of the P6.4 billion cost, civil and architectural works would amount to P3.4 billion; electromechanical works, P1.9 billion; consultancy services, P317.4 million, contingency, P318 million; and inflation adjustments, P342.4 million.

Melquiades Robles, LRTA administrator said the project will be state funded and implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

The LRT North Extension Project is expected to serve around 800,000 to 1 million passengers once fully operational.

The project will be implemented in two years, with construction to begin this year and completed in April 2010.

Robles said the LRTA is negotiating with SM Prime Holdings Inc. for the financing of the additional station to be constructed between the proposed Roosevelt and North Avenue stations adjacent to the mall developer’s property. The additional station will cost P100 million.

In August 31. 2007, the LRTA and the consultant of the project, Metrolink JV met with the owners of Shoe Mart Department Stores.

LRTA said the SM group would finance a suitable cost-benefit analysis for the additional station.

The LRT North Extension Project, which aims to extend the existing LRT Line 1 to the North to close the EDSA Loop,will need three additional stations from the existing Monumento Station of Line 1 and ending at the North Avenue Station of MRT 3.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/13/yehey/business/20080613bus2.html

jbkayaker12

June 12th, 2008, 11:44 PM

Close to a decade of talks and rhetoric and finally they will start construction of a very short overhead train connection. Just imagine a short 5 kilometer connection taking close to a decade to get built.

I'll clap my hands when this one is finally operational.

dancethingy

June 13th, 2008, 12:02 AM

^^ pagdasalan mo kaya?

juniordiscovery

June 13th, 2008, 03:56 AM

news from inquirer :)

-----------------------------------

LRT north extension contracts awarded

By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:39:00 06/13/2008

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MANILA, Philippines—Contractor DMCI-First Balfour Engineering has been given the go-ahead to start the civil works for a northward extension of the overhead Light Rail Transit (LRT), the Light Rail Transit Authority said.

“Package A1, A2 and B will go first,” project manager Federico Canar said in an interview. These will cost about P4 billion.”

DMCI-First Balfour bested four other bidders for Package A1 and A2, totaling P2.8 billion, which cover the design and construction of the foundation, viaduct and pedestrian overpasses.

It also won the P830-million Package B for the design and construction of three train stations (Balintawak Station, Roosevelt Station and North Station) and improvements of Monumento Station.

The bidding for the P2.04-billion Package C was declared a failure as prospective contractors failed to meet the deadline for the submission of documents.

The total project cost is P6.3 billion, involving construction of a 5.71-kilometer overhead rail line that will run from Monumento Station of the LRT Line 1 to the North Avenue Station. The project is due for completion in 2010.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080613-142411/LRT-north-extension-contracts-awarded

jbkayaker12

June 13th, 2008, 06:10 AM

^^ pagdasalan mo kaya?

Hindi lang dasal ang kailangan ng Pilipinas!:lol:

c0kelitr0

June 13th, 2008, 06:48 AM

sa wakas nasimulan din. sana wala nang eepal na congressman or senador :bash:

kalbongdad

June 13th, 2008, 07:09 AM

sana nga wala nga umepal.....btw...tama ka nde lang dasal kailangan ng pinas....kilos....kailangan na kailangan....nde puro daldal....

dancethingy

June 13th, 2008, 08:31 AM

^ ok, dasal at kilos

bustero

June 13th, 2008, 07:27 PM

Anybody have detailed renders of the station and how the lrt connect to EDSA?

queetz@home

June 14th, 2008, 12:43 AM

^^ Ah one of the mysteries of life...it would be nice if we would at least know what this "North Avenue" station looks like... ;)

barrera_marquez

June 14th, 2008, 01:07 AM

Nagsu-survey sila ng lupa sa EDSA last week... so malamang mga kuya tuloy na po ito this July...

kratos1211

June 14th, 2008, 08:46 AM

^^ Ah one of the mysteries of life...it would be nice if we would at least know what this "North Avenue" station looks like... ;)

Authority gives nod to SM North Annex station
By Darwin G. Amojelar, 12 May 2008
Source: Manila Times

SM Prime Holdings Inc. and state-run Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) are finalizing an agreement for the construction of an additional station for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) North Extension project in Quezon City. The LRTA said the additional station will be located in front of SM North Annex between the Roosevelt and North Avenue stations of the LRT 1 North Extension project.

In its project update, LRTA said SM Prime would foot the bill for the said station. LRTA had estimated the cost of the additional station at about P100 million. SM Prime has financed a cost-benefit analysis to determine the benefits that would accrue to LRTA should the station be constructed. “In view of the fact that the proposed additional station would also serve [Metro Rail Transit] Line 7, it has to be recognized that any agreement between LRTA and SM [Prime] pertaining to the additional station would also have to include the proponents of Line 7,” the LRTA said.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2318838374_e47a28b9f8.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2515855607_64fcae2fac_o.jpg

proposed MRT 7 station 1 and LRT1 North Annex station

pictures from www.ulc.com.ph

wheel of steel

June 14th, 2008, 09:01 AM

This is true. By the time both Projects starts, it will definitely starts in this area to provide simultaneous construction of Lines Station.

queetz@home

June 14th, 2008, 08:27 PM

kratos1211

June 14th, 2008, 09:03 PM

@kratos

That's not the North Avenue Terminus station for the LRT1 extension though that is always mentioned in the news articles but rather the station that SM is adding due to their own initiative, including being the terminus of LRT7. The North Avenue Terminus is going to be "beside" the existing MRT3 terminus adjacent to Trinoma.

oh, four station pala balintawak, roosevelt, sm annex, north ave.
my mistake.:okay:

The LRTA said the additional station will be located in front of SM North Annex between the Roosevelt and North Avenue stations of the LRT 1 North Extension project

jefflacs

June 14th, 2008, 09:22 PM

Buti na lang LRT-1 yung inextend, they can handle more people during rush hour than MRT-3 at saka madami pang trains, kapag MRT-3 yung naextend good luck na lang....

At least kapag rush hour, may alternative/choice yung mga taga north to take LRT-1

Sky Harbor

June 15th, 2008, 04:23 AM

queetz@home

June 15th, 2008, 04:53 AM

^^ I agree that its better for MRT3 to extend to Monumento but its not really the government's fault. Its the MRTC which f*ck up everything with their mismanagement of the MRT3 line. If only they've done a better job, MRT3 would have been extended by 2004 but they cut corners, costs, and ultimately cost them their ability to extend the line themselves by a set deadline.

The government made a wise choice by extending LRT1 because if they didn't step in, the never ending legal mumbo jumbo and whining by the MRTC would have gone on forever. And remember, since the government is trying to buy out MRT3, a seamless physicaly link between the two lines could still happen. LRT1 extension at its current form, terminus at North Ave, is acceptable but a seamless line connecting LRT1 and MRT3 is the ultimate desire and hopefully end result...

le Reine

June 15th, 2008, 05:04 AM

^^ I still think it was more logical to extend MRT-3 to Monumento over LRT-1 to North Avenue. A north-south rail line does not "suddenly" go east-west, especially when the function of MRT-3 is similar to that of circle lines in many cities. This is a classic example of government cutting corners to save cost, so practically, I do not know how this will play out. Aesthetically, I hope they make MRT-3 and LRT-1 blend well, especially considering that the systems were built 15 years apart.

^^ I agree that its better for MRT3 to extend to Monumento but its not really the government's fault. Its the MRTC which f*ck up everything with their mismanagement of the MRT3 line. If only they've done a better job, MRT3 would have been extended by 2004 but they cut corners, costs, and ultimately cost them their ability to extend the line themselves by a set deadline.

The government made a wise choice by extending LRT1 because if they didn't step in, the never ending legal mumbo jumbo and whining by the MRTC would have gone on forever. And remember, since the government is trying to buy out MRT3, a seamless physicaly link between the two lines could still happen. LRT1 extension at its current form, terminus at North Ave, is acceptable but a seamless line connecting LRT1 and MRT3 is the ultimate desire and hopefully end result...I agree. I really wished MRT3 was extended to Monumento and not the other way around. But, this is much better than nothing at all. :lol: I still don't get it though, why do they have to leave it until North Ave when they could have just built it until Monumento. There's only 3 stations left. Anybody knows the story behind this?

anonymous_filipino

June 15th, 2008, 05:16 AM

Well the mess started when the Fil-Estate group acquired the majority shares of MRTC. If you ask the real estate agents, napakaraming reklamo sa mga projects ng Fil-Estate. We're also one of their victims.. If Ayala or the LRTA is the majority shareholder of MRTC, siguro ngayon umabot na sa Monumento yung MRT

habagatcentral1

June 15th, 2008, 07:24 AM

By the way, since LRT-1 north and MRT-3 would be extended, whatever happened to LRT-1 south extension? It's been a while since I last heard of any update from Baclaran to Cavite LRT. And our situation in Aguinaldo Highway is getting worse by the year. :(

RonnieR

June 15th, 2008, 10:20 AM

oh, four station pala balintawak, roosevelt, sm annex, north ave.
my mistake.:okay:

I think the distance between SM annex and NOrth Avenue stations is too short. I'm confused. I thought SM would build the SM Annex and this is the same as the North Ave station.

ponso

June 15th, 2008, 10:50 AM

I think the distance between SM annex and NOrth Avenue stations is too short. I'm confused. I thought SM would build the SM Annex and this is the same as the North Ave station.

You're absolutely right RonnieR.

Also from the discussions and the articles, is it correct that MRT7 connects to the LRT-MRT Loop (ala "Circle Line" in London Underground) via SM Annex? Doesn't that make connecting from MRT 7 towards Cubao, Pasig and Makati awkward and expensive? Imagine to get to Makati from, say, Commonwealth, you need to get off at SM Annex, then hop on an LRT train to North Avenue then hop to yet another MRT train - that doesn't make sense, doesn't it?

How about extending MRT to SM Annex and let those 3 lines converge and make it a major interchange station...

wheel of steel

June 15th, 2008, 11:25 AM

You're absolutely right RonnieR.

Also from the discussions and the articles, is it correct that MRT7 connects to the LRT-MRT Loop (ala "Circle Line" in London Underground) via SM Annex? Doesn't that make connecting from MRT 7 towards Cubao, Pasig and Makati awkward and expensive? Imagine to get to Makati from, say, Commonwealth, you need to get off at SM Annex, then hop on an LRT train to North Avenue then hop to yet another MRT train - that doesn't make sense, doesn't it?

How about extending MRT to SM Annex and let those 3 lines converge and make it a major interchange station...

This is exactly want they want to do. LRT1, MRT3 and MRT7 will have a common terminal in front of SM City, North Edsa. A passenger from Novaliches going to Makati can have his transfer at this station and likewise a passenger going to Caloocan might make his transfer also. This is the best approach for this unless these Rail Companies agrees to use their own line in favor of the other.

Note: MRT7 and LRT2 are Ligh Heavy Rail Vehicles while MRT3 and LRT1 are Tramlike Vehicles.

ArkiLurker

June 15th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Any news about MRT 7?????

venntro

June 15th, 2008, 12:23 PM

This is exactly want they want to do. LRT1, MRT3 and MRT7 will have a common terminal in front of SM City, North Edsa. A passenger from Novaliches going to Makati can have his transfer at this station and likewise a passenger going to Caloocan might make his transfer also. This is the best approach for this unless these Rail Companies agrees to use their own line in favor of the other.

Note: MRT7 and LRT2 are Ligh Heavy Rail Vehicles while MRT3 and LRT1 are Tramlike Vehicles.

^^ That should be the ideal scenario. That would mean extending MRT 3 to the SM Annex station which has not been clearly laid out yet in the plans. As far as the official reports are concerned, LRT 1 seems to end at the SM Annex station. Perhaps I am just getting mixed signals from the paper reports and even from the posts here. As for the distance between Trinoma and SM Annex, I think even if they are near, it would still be viable to connect the two stations. The distance between MRT3's Shaw boulevard station and Ortigas station are quite near as well.

kratos1211

June 15th, 2008, 03:42 PM

^^If the government is purchasing MRT3 and LRT1 trains are similar. Would it be possible that the trains of MRT3 or LRT1 run on each other track for a real loop interconnection. for example, board LRT1 train at abad santos station and getting off at MRT3 quezon ave station or vice versa.

renell

June 15th, 2008, 05:02 PM

The government made a wise choice by extending LRT1 because if they didn't step in, the never ending legal mumbo jumbo and whining by the MRTC would have gone on forever. And remember, since the government is trying to buy out MRT3, a seamless physicaly link between the two lines could still happen. LRT1 extension at its current form, terminus at North Ave, is acceptable but a seamless line connecting LRT1 and MRT3 is the ultimate desire and hopefully end result...

Engineering wise, this is still possible right? But from a business perspective until the BOT contract expires this won't be happening given that there are two different companies running Line 3 and Line 1 & 2, again correct me if I'm wrong.

Indeed it's not the most efficient way but it works.

Just to clarify, the SM Annex station will have the LRT1 and MRT 7 trains. Yes?

drayq2002

June 15th, 2008, 05:37 PM

will the bonifacio monument be affected by the extension project?

queetz@home

June 15th, 2008, 07:02 PM

^^ No, the Bonifacio monument won't be affected. There is actually a rendering posted a while ago showing the extended LRT1 line passing beside the Bonifacio Monument but its still quite a distance away. Perhaps someone can look through the past posts and find it.

@ renell, yes engineering wise it is possible and it was stated before (again, in a past post quoting a specific government official) that they would or could consider physically linking the lines if the MRT3 buyout happens. This was a few months ago though and it seems speculation on his part when asked that question by a reporter or something like that.

Regarding the discussion about having a common end point for all three lines, yes that was the plan prior to SM wanting to build a station beside SM Annex but its always been stated in the past news articles and press release that it would be "beside the MRT3 terminus". The way I and a lot of forumers interprete it is it would be beside Tri Noma for both LRT1 and LRT7. So essentially, LRT7's North Avenue station would squeeze in, presumably on the Trinoma side of MRT3 terminus and LRT1's North Avenue station would squeeze in on the other side.

However, when the SM group decided to build their own station, it seems they are reviving the old plan, rendering posted recently by kratos1211, that the LRT7 terminus would be beside the SM Annex. This makes more sense from a technical standpoint than having LRT7's terminus be beside the MRT3 Terminus since 1) the curve is too steep and 2) it would give easier access to SM North Edsa's main competitor, TriNoma.

So that said, it seems the terminus of LRT7 will be far away from the terminus of MRT3. I agree that it makes sense to extend MRT3 to the SM Annex station so all three lines can converge there instead of the existing MRT3 terminus. Nonetheless, it seems LRT1 is going to the MRT3 terminus anyway so the only end result would be that MRT3 users won't have easy access to LRT7, unless there is another LRT7 station beside TriNoma and they can use the mall as a connector. Of course, all this hassle and dazzle would simply end if LRT1 and MRT3 are connected physically.

IndioBravo

June 16th, 2008, 02:00 AM

^^If they build an elevated walkway like they did w/ LRT2 & LRT1,that will be acceptable? Good excuse to stop & eat-drink sago w/ kikiam:banana:

ericlucky290

June 16th, 2008, 06:28 AM

DMCI unit leads group in $81-M elevated railway project (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20080616-142934/DMCI-unit-leads-group-in-81-M-elevated-railway-project)

Thomson Financial
First Posted 11:01:00 06/16/2008 ( Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines -- Energy and infrastructure conglomerate DMCI Holdings Inc. said Monday its unit D.M. Consunji Inc. and partner First-Balfour Inc. have been awarded a contract worth P3.6 billion ($81 million) to design and construct an elevated railway in the nation's capital.

The project involves the construction of a 5.2-kilometer railway that will connect the existing LRT 1 and MRT 3 elevated railways in metropolitan Manila, DMCI told the stock exchange.

The project is to be completed by 2010.

DMCI partly owns Maynilad Water Co. Inc., one of the two water suppliers in the capital, and the country's biggest coal producer Semirara Mining Corp.

At 10:18 a.m. (0218 GMT), shares in DMCI were 1.64 percent higher at P6.20.

($1 = P44.40)

Wolf1968 ^_^

June 16th, 2008, 06:53 AM

any pics guys?..gusto ko lang sya makita..salamat.. ^_^

kalbongdad

June 16th, 2008, 07:27 AM

well...it is widely circulated already that it is starting.....hmmm...siguro tuloy yan dahil...tapos na session ng mga senador na ayaw kay little evil gloria...siguro...guguluhin nila ulit yan...sa july pa.....

greenshields

June 16th, 2008, 09:57 AM

Good for DMCI and good for Metro Manilans then. At least we know the project is being contracted to a reputable builder.

bustero

June 17th, 2008, 05:25 AM

Looks like no connection ... yet

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW061708/content.php?id=048

Vol. XXI, No. 225
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Corporate News
Consortium to start rail link

THE DESIGN and construction of the P5.9-billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) North Extension Project that will connect the LRT 1 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 lines has been given the go-signal.

DMCI-First Balfour of Consunji-led DMCI Holdings, Inc. and Lopez-owned First Balfour Inc. was awarded the A1, A2 and B packages of the project, totaling P3.6 billion.

"The project duration will be 20 months and will be due for completion on 2010," DMCI said in a statement to the stock exchange.

Negotiations on who will handle Package C of the project, which was declared a failed bid last April, are still ongoing.

The project will feature an elevated viaduct from the LRT’s Monumento station in Manila to the MRT’s North Avenue station in Quezon City. It will also have two new intermediate stations (Balintawak and Roosevelt) and one terminal station (LRT North Avenue station).

queetz@home

June 17th, 2008, 05:32 AM

For those wondering what the LRT1 extension may look like beside the Bonifacio Monument, here is the rendering posted a while back...

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n122/queetz9/Miscellaneous/LRText.jpg

And below is the satellite aerial of what the LRT1 tail track and Monumento station look like now...

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n122/queetz9/Miscellaneous/LRT1.jpg

wheel of steel

June 17th, 2008, 05:47 AM

^^ This is what I really love to see, an extension of LRT, NOT anymore MRT3.:) I don't really like this train even BEFORE... A mistake cannot be anymore corrected again by another mistake. MRT3 is a Tram!

habagatcentral1

June 17th, 2008, 06:00 AM

diz

June 17th, 2008, 06:04 AM

hehe poor bonifacio monument.

Sana alisin lang nila yung mga overhead wires sa LRT... mas magandang tignan.

wheel of steel

June 17th, 2008, 06:32 AM

hehe poor bonifacio monument.

Sana alisin lang nila yung mga overhead wires sa LRT... mas magandang tignan.

he he he...yan ang meron ng Northrail compared to LRT. Northrail will be using DMU train so wala syang overhead wires like LRTs. :cheers:

wheel of steel

June 17th, 2008, 06:34 AM

^^ Im just wondering why didn't they planned the MRT for heavy rail configuration or something...right now, we're like a packed can of sardines every rush hour.

You can't breathe, especially kung anghit ang katabi mo. :D

... Di ba, naturingan pa naman na Sumitomo ang consultant ng MRT3. Dapat ginaya nila design ng LRT2, efficient at maganda ang tunout. That's a true train. Ewan, mas overpriced pa nga ang MRT3 kaysa Northrail...

FrancisXavier

June 17th, 2008, 12:50 PM

FrancisXavier

June 17th, 2008, 12:51 PM

jefflacs

June 17th, 2008, 01:21 PM

it will really make a sharp turn.. speed limit, 10kph.. :lol:

pwede naman nila siguro bawasan kahit kakaunti ung dulo ng LRT 1 :lol:

saka sa lrt 2 may mga sections na very sharp ang turn katulad ng underground leg ng katipunan-santolan at legarda area

kratos1211

June 17th, 2008, 02:51 PM

puede :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2587171288_d57f4139a8_o.jpg

queetz@home

June 18th, 2008, 12:58 AM

^^ That's most likely what's gonna happen. You wouldn't believe what wonders a jackhammer and reinforce concrete can do with existing structures nowadays... ;)

venntro

June 18th, 2008, 04:43 AM

ArkiLurker

June 18th, 2008, 04:59 AM

bustero

June 18th, 2008, 07:36 AM

Gil

June 18th, 2008, 07:40 AM

Well one thing I'd like to see at least in these new stations if not in all immediately are platform doors so people don't go over them into the tracks. Since these are new stations, it would not cost much more I would think to install these.

It would be a nice feature, but don't forget the other half of system. The trains themselves need to be able to line up with the doors otherwise they won't work! I don't know what kind of retrofitting is involved to get to that level. Most systems I've seen with the screens are automated so that the train knows exactly where to stop in order to line up with the doors.

jefflacs

June 18th, 2008, 07:41 AM

Heard from an official of MRT3 that they are currently installing LCD monitors in the MRT stations (replacing boxy outdated TV's) and are upgrading the PA system in both the coaches and stations as well. For MRT 3 riders, anyone noticed the improvements?

dati pang nakainstall ung mga LCD TVs nde pa nga lang working yung iba pa nga may plastic pa hehe. Pero yung mga LCD TVs hinde masyado pansinin yung pwesto nila, siguro kapag gumagana na...

wheel of steel

June 18th, 2008, 07:49 AM

dati pang nakainstall ung mga LCD TVs nde pa nga lang working yung iba pa nga may plastic pa hehe. Pero yung mga LCD TVs hinde masyado pansinin yung pwesto nila, siguro kapag gumagana na...

Jeff, anong balita kay dad tungkol sa Northrail? :)

Wolf1968 ^_^

June 18th, 2008, 08:27 AM

wala bang pics nung u/c?.. la lang kasi ang layo ko sa north..gusto ko lang din makita kung ano ng nasimulan..salamat..

mygz14

June 18th, 2008, 09:38 AM

At long last, after more than eight years through the bureaucratic wringer and lot of foot-dragging by government bureaucrats, the long-delayed 37-kilometer project, with an investment from a consortium of local and foreign investors worth US.3 billion and a real estate component of two real estate giants, the MRT-7 project, the biggest yet infrastructure project under the Arroyo Administration, will get finally going.

The MRT-7 concession agreement signing ceremony has been scheduled today at Crown Plaza Galleria Manila, Ortigas corner ADB Avenue with Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza and the proponent LRT Corp. (BV) Limited executives led by longtime Philippine businessman Eli Levin (who conceptualized the project as he also did with MRT-3 years back) in attendance.

The project starts in Marilao, Bulacan, along the North Luzon Expressway. Then it goes through a 17-km proposed Tala access road in Novaliches, passing through a multi-million peso housing project for the Armed Forces, and then through a 20-km MRT-7 rail project through La Mesa Dam, Batasan and the University of the Philippines in Diliman to connect to EDSA MRT-3. it is aimed at decongesting traffic from the north through Edsa and provide commuters easy access to other rail lines.

It was early in February 2001 when the MRT-7 consortium commenced discussions with the Transportation Department, but there was delay because of an overlapping section with the proposed Line 4. On Oct. 10, 2001, the consortium presented the project to President Arroyo who ordered the department to “sole it,” referring to the overlapping section problem.

For many years, the project was dribbled by bureaucrats from the Transportation Department and the national Economic Development Authority’s Investment Coordinating Council where it went back and forth for no less than five times. My friend, Eli Levin, was not discouraged, knowing full well how government bureaucracy works. It took him some five years to have MRT-3 going.

To the credit of Levin, he managed to have as backers of the project Alstom of France, the second largest transport system provider in the world; Earth Tech, a unit of Tyco International, one of the top 50 corporations in the US; Israeli investors; the Yuchengco Group and other Philippine Investors. For MRT-7’s real estate component, the entry of Henry Sy and Andrew Tan was a feat.

Other highlights of the MRT-7 are the private service road and inter-modal bus bus stations to bring into the mass transit systems of Metro Manila the commuters from the North and reduce the number of buses on Metro Manila’s congested roads.

I had a talk yesterday with Levin, and he said that with the MRT concession agreement signed, talks about financing of the project which has no government guarantee or subsidy, unlike other infraprojects, will begin. Hopefully, ground-breaking and construction will start about the end of the year and on to 2009.

While the MRT-7 will probably take until 2011 to finish, it is a lasting legacy that President Arroyo will leave the country after she steps down in 2010.

----------------------------------

Another infrastructure project which could very well be a lasting legacy of the Arroyo administration to the country is the US-billion-to-US-billion venture of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. at a 120-hectare reclaimed land along Roxas Boulevard.

Yesterday’s newspapers headlined that Australia’s gaming and media Tycoon, James parker, is expected to sign a US.5 billion deal to build a hotel and casino resort project, which is envisioned to be one of Asia’s biggest tourism and gaming destinations at par with Macau, which has exceeded all expectations with no less than five million visitors a year, and has in fact outdone Las Vegas in tourism and gaming revenues.

After Pagcor chairman Efraim Genuino finished the Terms of Reference for the international bidding for the project—a giant complex of luxury hotels, convention centers, sports arena centers and a golf course, commercial and residential complex and a tall observation tower overlooking Manila Bay, and of course gaming and entertainment, and a lot of other amenities for family tourism—four other groups have expressed keen interest in investing no less than US billion apiece.

They are Japan’s Azure Corp., which invested in Hollywood’s Universal City; Genting Bernard from Malaysia in partnership with Andrew Tan’s Megaworld and Star Cruises; and SM Investments Corp. of the Philippines.

So far, only Genting has been granted a license to operate a casino.

SOURCE http://www.sminvestments.com/News.php?BlurbID=1354

RonnieR

June 18th, 2008, 10:07 AM

^^ Positive news in this time of skyrocketing oil prices. The news of tax relief is also a welcome development for the Filipino workers.

On MRT 7, how many stations does it have? :)

venntro

June 18th, 2008, 10:24 AM

With these developments, Manila will be a different and more progressive metropolis come 2010-2012.:banana:

dancethingy

June 18th, 2008, 12:37 PM

BUILD IT

BUILD IT

BUILD IT

BUILD IT

MORE RAIL LINES = LESS OIL IMPORTATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kratos1211

June 18th, 2008, 12:40 PM

^^ Positive news in this time of skyrocketing oil prices. The news of tax relief is also a welcome development for the Filipino workers.

On MRT 7, how many stations does it have? :)

There are 14 stations based on their website CLICK HERE (http://www.ulc.com.ph/stations.html):)

http://www.ulc.com.ph/Images/index-2.jpg

kratos1211

June 19th, 2008, 02:40 AM

:)
BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 227
Thursday, June 19, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Construction of 14-station Metro Rail Transit-7 to start in 2009

METRO RAIL Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) may be up and running by the end of 2012, about six months earlier than programed, as the consortium developing the 23-kilometer rail project hopes to raise enough funds to start construction next year in a bid to ease Metro Manila’s traffic problem.
THE MRT-3 was meant to decongest EDSA.

Universal LRT Corp. Ltd., the main proponent of the MRT-7 project, submitted a $123.5-million performance bond to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) early this week to guarantee that it would finish the project on time.

Once completed, the MRT-7 will have 14 stations running from San Jose del Monte in Bulacan to the North Avenue station of MRT-3 in Quezon City.

Eight of the stations will be elevated, three are at street-level and the rest will be underground.

The new rail facility can carry between 500,000 and 800,000 commuters daily.

"It will decongest traffic in Metro Manila," DoTC Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza said.

He said the existing rail lines — Light Rail Transit 1 and 2 and MRT-3 — can carry only about one million of Metro Manila’s 2.8 million commuters.

"The extension of the LRT from Monumento to North Avenue will add another 700,000, so maybe we can have full capacity," he added.

Eli Levin, director and chief executive officer of Universal LRT Managing, said the consortium is also paying $250 million as performance bond for the 193-hectare real estate project that goes with the railway development.

Out of the total $1.235 billion project cost, $320 million will be financed by equity and the rest by loans, Mr. Levin said.

"Around $900 million to $1 billion... will be through export credit loans and other financial institutions," he told reporters at yesterday’s signing of the deal between the government and Universal LRT.

He said they were in talks with the International Finance Corp., McQuarrie Bank of Australia and several other creditors.

More funds will come with the entry of nickel mining magnate Salvador Zamora II, who took over the reigns of the MRT-7 development on June 16. Mr. Zamora’s La Costa Development Co. now owns 52% of the consortium.

With his entry, the paid-up capital of Universal LRT will be raised to $320 million within the next six months from an initial capital of $32 million.

Mr. Levin’s ownership has dropped to 8% from 60% when he first proposed the MRT-7 project to the government in 2002. Other members of the consortium are Sy-led SM Investment Corp. and the Velasco Group.

The Metro Rail Transit system, popularly known as the MRT, is part of Metro Manila’s metropolitan rail system. It has a single line, MRT-3 or the Blue Line.

Although it has characteristics of a light rail, such as the type of rolling stock used, it is more akin to a rapid transit system. It is not related to the Manila Light Rail Transit System, a separate but linked system.

One of its original purposes was to decongest Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), one of Metro Manila’s main thoroughfares and home to the MRT.

The MRT is operated by the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), a private company operating in partnership with the DOTC under a build-operate-transfer scheme.

Meanwhile, the Light Rail Transit system, popularly known as the LRT, has two lines: LRT-1, called the Yellow Line, and LRT-2, called the Purple Line.

The LRT, operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority, a government-owned and -controlled corporation, is the first metro system in Southeast Asia, built earlier than Singapore’s MRT by three years.

Many commuters who ride the LRT and MRT also take road-based public transport, such as buses, to reach their destinations from a station. Both the MRT and LRT have been only partially successful in decongesting Metro Manila’s main roads, and traffic is further aggravated by the rising number of motor vehicles. — Anna Barbara L. Lorenzo

manchowyin

June 19th, 2008, 02:58 AM

Gov’t, proponent sign contract to build $ 1.24-B MRT 7 project
By BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT
http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS20080619127638.html

The government and the consortium of Universal LRT Corporation (BVI) Limited yesterday signed the concession agreement for the construction of the $ 1.235-billion MRT 7 project, a 23-kilometer mass rail transit project that will connect the existing MRT Line in SM North in Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

The contract-signing was led by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza and ULC president and CEO Eli Levin. The project proponent has also posted $ 123.5-million non-refundable bond, a government requirement to ensure the project’s implementation.

The contract-signing came 7 years after the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the MRT 7 project by the DoTC and ULC in 2002.

Levin noted the MRT 7 is the first private sector undertaking that assumes full responsibility for the ridership and the operation and maintenance cost.

Under its timetable, the project which would be implemented by ULC Hong Kong, would be implemented in 12 to 15 months from now and is expected to be completed in 3 and half years or by 2013.

The $ 1.235 billion rail project would be funded through 75 percent loans and 25 percent equity from its shareholders.

ULC Hong Kong will raise the $ 309 million equity investments from different investors including the Zamora Group and the La Costa Development Co. headed by businessman Salvador Zamora II with their foreign partners as major investors.

The bulk of the project cost of $ 926 million would be sourced through loans from export credit agencies from various countries and suppliers credits.

A financial closing is expected by December 2009 and construction should start in January 2010.

Levin said the project proponent has no sovereign guarantee for the loans it is going to incur.

Project components include a 12.11 kilometer of elevated mass rail transit, 6.655 kilometer at-grade MRT, 1.445 km. open-cut MRT, .785 km. tunnel MRT and 6 lane road.

The project envisions to provide reliable connection for Commonwealth, Fairview and Bulacan commuters.

Levin said the project will address the congested EDSA as it will provide an alternative route for the provincial buses coming from the north.

This mass rail trail project has also a real estate component that seeks to establish a new satellite township in Del Monte, Bulacan.

Already, the project proponent has already bought 193 hectare property worth P1 billion in San Jose Del Monte. An estimated P2 billion are expected to be poured in by property developers for horizontal and vertical developments including the planned construction of 50,000 units intended to cater to low and middle income earners.

Several property developers have already committed to put up housing projects in the area, which is envisioned to create 50,000 housing units.

Start of the real estate construction is expected to start in July 2011.

Already, mall developers have expressed commitment to participate in the commercial development.

The project is expected to decongest Metro Manila with the construction of a satellite town in San Jose Del Monte.

A study conducted by the National Economic and Development Authority indicates a government savings of $ 2.4 billion over the 25 year concession period based on a crude oil price of $ 50 per barrel.

The project and the satellite township undertaking is also expected to create over 20,000 new jobs throughout the concession period. (BCM)

stephencua

June 19th, 2008, 03:15 AM

sweet news! very very timely.. hopefully they dont get hit by senate 'investigations'

kalbongdad

June 19th, 2008, 04:01 AM

nde mangyayari yung ngayon...dahil na recess sila....sa july pa kung sakali...o baka nde na dahil...busy sa pagpapa pogi...para sa 2010

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 04:16 AM

My goodness, it ever it is completed now, it is one of the most modern and complicated transportation system in the Philippines next to Northrail. wow!!!

habagatcentral1

June 19th, 2008, 04:20 AM

Gov’t, proponent sign contract to build $ 1.24-B MRT 7 project
By BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT

:cry: :cry: Hay, buti pa mga taga-Bulacan and northern MetroManila. They will be able to savour the convenience of taking a train sooner or later...

We still don't have any updates of the proposed LRT extention to Bacoor, Cavite in which we are suffering from chronic traffic congestion in almost every day of our lives here. :(

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 04:21 AM

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 04:23 AM

:cry: :cry: Hay, buti pa mga taga-Bulacan and northern MetroManila. They will be able to savour the convenience of taking a train sooner or later...

We still don't have any updates of the proposed LRT extention to Bacoor, Cavite in which we are suffering from chronic traffic congestion in almost every day of our lives here. :(

Meron nang go-signal ang LRT1 South Extension. Relax lang because they might probably doing some expropriation on their right of way. Talagang mahirap magkarroon ng right of way especially in Metro Manila. It is sad to know that ang sure tlagang nagsisimula nang project ay ang Linkage Railways Project, Northrail Phase 1, at ang LRT North Extension. :)

RonnieR

June 19th, 2008, 04:25 AM

There are 14 stations based on their website CLICK HERE (http://www.ulc.com.ph/stations.html):)

http://www.ulc.com.ph/Images/index-2.jpg

Thanks Kratos1211, the project is now a reality!

manchowyin

June 19th, 2008, 04:54 AM

^^ Yung sinasabi nilang 6 lane road. This will become the same future MRT7 extension. They have to secure their future right of way if just in case there is a plan to be interconnected with Valenzuela Northrail. In this way, they can be 100 percent assured that will not going to have any more problems it they will extend the line further nortn and then interconnect it with a heavy railway.

Smart move. Thanks for that insight. Here's more...

Zamora group boosts MRT 7 project
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/06192008/headlines06.html

THE entry of the group of mining magnate Salvador Zamora II into the consortium building the MRT 7—a 23-kilometer rail-transit system from the MRT 3 North Avenue station in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan—has boosted the certainty the line will be up and running in mid- 2013 as planned.

Zamora’s group, called La Costa Development Co., which includes foreign partners, formally joined the Universal LRT Corp. (ULC) consortium two days ago, and with its investment, is now the controlling interest in the $1.23-billon railway project.

“I am glad to announce that the group of Zamora [La Costa Development Co.], headed by Mr. Salvador Zamora II, with their foreign partners, have agreed to join the project as major investors and undertook to bring it to completion at the earliest possible time,” said ULC managing director Eli Levin at Wednesday’s contract signing.

Levin and his partners used to own 60 percent of ULC. “The project required additional funding. When we set up the consortium, we thought we could finish the project in two to three years. We hired many consultants. A big project like this requires big financing,” he said.

“Zamora’s group is now the controlling investor in the project. In six months, we will increase the capital to $320 million from the current paid-up of $32 million,” said Levin. Levin’s interest in the group has been reduced to 8 percent. The SM Group and the Velasco group each has about 20 percent.

Two days ago, ULC posted a $123.5-million performance bond, or 10 percent on the rail and road system investment. The group will have to post another bond amounting to $250 million for the real-estate and commercial development component of the project, which is estimated to cost $2.5 billion.

The railway project will be financed by a combination of equity and borrowings. Equity in the total project cost will amount to $309 million, export credit agency loans at $800 million and other loans, $126 million.

“We have received letters of intent from Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Macquarie Bank of Australia, and many more. They are all willing to participate in the financing of the project. We now expect talks with them to be more serious now that there is already a contract,” said Levin.

The railway with 14 stations will pass through Commonwealth Avenue, Regalado Avenue, Qurino Avenue extension up to its end at San Jose del Monte. A 22-kilometer access road is planned into the project. The start of construction is set in January 2010 and targetted for completion in July 2013.

When asked if Zamora’s group has expressed any intention to shoulder by itself the $309-million equity investment, Levin said, “It is their responsibility now. But I think they will not be alone.” ULC agreed to make the construction and operation “deficit-neutral” to ensure that the government will not bear the brunt of the risks in the project.

As part of the deficit-neutral clause, ULC agreed to cut its internal rate of return to 11.9 percent from 16.9 percent. The reduced rate of return means ULC will bear the financial losses if passenger volume and consequently revenues drop.

Based on ULC’s business plan, the firm will have a development that includes 7,300 residential units, 900 office units and a 90,000-square-meter gross mall area in a 195-hectare estate in Bulacan.

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 05:03 AM

Smart move. Thanks for that insight. Here's more...

Zamora group boosts MRT 7 project
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/06192008/headlines06.html

THE entry of the group of mining magnate Salvador Zamora II into the consortium building the MRT 7—a 23-kilometer rail-transit system from the MRT 3 North Avenue station in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan—has boosted the certainty the line will be up and running in mid- 2013 as planned.

Zamora’s group, called La Costa Development Co., which includes foreign partners, formally joined the Universal LRT Corp. (ULC) consortium two days ago, and with its investment, is now the controlling interest in the $1.23-billon railway project.

“I am glad to announce that the group of Zamora [La Costa Development Co.], headed by Mr. Salvador Zamora II, with their foreign partners, have agreed to join the project as major investors and undertook to bring it to completion at the earliest possible time,” said ULC managing director Eli Levin at Wednesday’s contract signing.

Levin and his partners used to own 60 percent of ULC. “The project required additional funding. When we set up the consortium, we thought we could finish the project in two to three years. We hired many consultants. A big project like this requires big financing,” he said.

“Zamora’s group is now the controlling investor in the project. In six months, we will increase the capital to $320 million from the current paid-up of $32 million,” said Levin. Levin’s interest in the group has been reduced to 8 percent. The SM Group and the Velasco group each has about 20 percent.

Two days ago, ULC posted a $123.5-million performance bond, or 10 percent on the rail and road system investment. The group will have to post another bond amounting to $250 million for the real-estate and commercial development component of the project, which is estimated to cost $2.5 billion.

The railway project will be financed by a combination of equity and borrowings. Equity in the total project cost will amount to $309 million, export credit agency loans at $800 million and other loans, $126 million.

“We have received letters of intent from Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Macquarie Bank of Australia, and many more. They are all willing to participate in the financing of the project. We now expect talks with them to be more serious now that there is already a contract,” said Levin.

The railway with 14 stations will pass through Commonwealth Avenue, Regalado Avenue, Qurino Avenue extension up to its end at San Jose del Monte. A 22-kilometer access road is planned into the project. The start of construction is set in January 2010 and targetted for completion in July 2013.

When asked if Zamora’s group has expressed any intention to shoulder by itself the $309-million equity investment, Levin said, “It is their responsibility now. But I think they will not be alone.” ULC agreed to make the construction and operation “deficit-neutral” to ensure that the government will not bear the brunt of the risks in the project.

As part of the deficit-neutral clause, ULC agreed to cut its internal rate of return to 11.9 percent from 16.9 percent. The reduced rate of return means ULC will bear the financial losses if passenger volume and consequently revenues drop.

Based on ULC’s business plan, the firm will have a development that includes 7,300 residential units, 900 office units and a 90,000-square-meter gross mall area in a 195-hectare estate in Bulacan.

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

le Reine

June 19th, 2008, 05:23 AM

Naalala ko may nagsabi magbaballoon daw ito to $2B. :lol: Sige nga, abangan natin ang tsismis. :lol:

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 05:29 AM

Naalala ko may nagsabi magbaballoon daw ito to $2B. :lol: Sige nga, abangan natin ang tsismis. :lol:

he he he..:lol: Wala na sana.. Mga Puta?? ?na ?na nila, wala na silang ginawa. :mad2::mad2::mad2:

venntro

June 19th, 2008, 05:44 AM

Smart move. Thanks for that insight. Here's more...

Zamora group boosts MRT 7 project
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/06192008/headlines06.html

THE entry of the group of mining magnate Salvador Zamora II into the consortium building the MRT 7—a 23-kilometer rail-transit system from the MRT 3 North Avenue station in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan—has boosted the certainty the line will be up and running in mid- 2013 as planned.

Zamora’s group, called La Costa Development Co., which includes foreign partners, formally joined the Universal LRT Corp. (ULC) consortium two days ago, and with its investment, is now the controlling interest in the $1.23-billon railway project.

“I am glad to announce that the group of Zamora [La Costa Development Co.], headed by Mr. Salvador Zamora II, with their foreign partners, have agreed to join the project as major investors and undertook to bring it to completion at the earliest possible time,” said ULC managing director Eli Levin at Wednesday’s contract signing.

Levin and his partners used to own 60 percent of ULC. “The project required additional funding. When we set up the consortium, we thought we could finish the project in two to three years. We hired many consultants. A big project like this requires big financing,” he said.

“Zamora’s group is now the controlling investor in the project. In six months, we will increase the capital to $320 million from the current paid-up of $32 million,” said Levin. Levin’s interest in the group has been reduced to 8 percent. The SM Group and the Velasco group each has about 20 percent.

Two days ago, ULC posted a $123.5-million performance bond, or 10 percent on the rail and road system investment. The group will have to post another bond amounting to $250 million for the real-estate and commercial development component of the project, which is estimated to cost $2.5 billion.

The railway project will be financed by a combination of equity and borrowings. Equity in the total project cost will amount to $309 million, export credit agency loans at $800 million and other loans, $126 million.

“We have received letters of intent from Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Macquarie Bank of Australia, and many more. They are all willing to participate in the financing of the project. We now expect talks with them to be more serious now that there is already a contract,” said Levin.

The railway with 14 stations will pass through Commonwealth Avenue, Regalado Avenue, Qurino Avenue extension up to its end at San Jose del Monte. A 22-kilometer access road is planned into the project. The start of construction is set in January 2010 and targetted for completion in July 2013.

When asked if Zamora’s group has expressed any intention to shoulder by itself the $309-million equity investment, Levin said, “It is their responsibility now. But I think they will not be alone.” ULC agreed to make the construction and operation “deficit-neutral” to ensure that the government will not bear the brunt of the risks in the project.

As part of the deficit-neutral clause, ULC agreed to cut its internal rate of return to 11.9 percent from 16.9 percent. The reduced rate of return means ULC will bear the financial losses if passenger volume and consequently revenues drop.

Based on ULC’s business plan, the firm will have a development that includes 7,300 residential units, 900 office units and a 90,000-square-meter gross mall area in a 195-hectare estate in Bulacan.

^^ If my memory serves me right, Salvador is the brother of Ronnie Zamora who was the Executive Secretary of Erap. I would think that the opposition will not block anymore MRT 7 in deference to Salvador Zamora's group.

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 05:51 AM

^^ If my memory serves me right, Salvador is the brother of Ronnie Zamora who was the Executive Secretary of Erap. I would think that the opposition will not block anymore MRT 7 in deference to Salvador Zamora's group.

And that is extremely a good news!!!! :banana::banana::banana:

manchowyin

June 19th, 2008, 07:05 AM

DOTC okays LRT-7 project
By Rainier Allan Ronda
Thursday, June 19, 2008
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Metro&p=49&type=2&sec=26&aid=20080618138

Seven years after submitting their proposal to build a mass rail transport system from Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, the Universal LRT Corporation (ULC) finally signed yesterday a concession agreement for the construction and operation of the proposed $1.23 billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 7.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) officials led by Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Eli Levin, managing director of the ULC consortium, signed a 25-year concession agreement for the LRT Line 7 project, which will run from SM City North Edsa in Quezon City and extend through Commonwealth Avenue straight through San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita also attended the signing ceremonies held at the Ruby Room of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City.

Mendoza said the agreement will pave the way for a mass transport project that will provide a more efficient and convenient means of travel for residents of Bulacan and the people along Commonwealth Avenue from Novaliches, Fairview up to EDSA.

Mendoza said Bulacan will become more accessible to Metro Manila and San Jose del Monte will become a residential area for workers in the metropolis.

Levin expressed relief over the signing of the agreement for the project.

After submitting their unsolicited proposal to build an LRT Line 7 in 2001, DOTC and ULC signed a memorandum of understanding to work together and design the rail line that will be most beneficial to the public.

“I believe that it will be completed and operational by the end of 2012,” Levin said.

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 07:07 AM

^^ Hoy!!! Mga oposisionists, were having a bunch of good railway news here. he he he... Wag kayong makikialam ha.. Wag Na!!!! he he he... Jokes lang po.... :banana:

chito

June 19th, 2008, 07:52 AM

GREAT NEWS INDEED!!! :banana:

Gov’t, proponent sign contract to build $ 1.24-B MRT 7 project

from Manila Bulletin Online (http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS20080619127638.html)

Na post na pala kanina! :D

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 08:02 AM

GREAT NEWS INDEED!!! :banana:

Gov’t, proponent sign contract to build $ 1.24-B MRT 7 project

from Manila Bulletin Online (http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS20080619127638.html)

Na post na pala kanina! :D

Ok, lang... he he he... mas maraming post, mas matibay ang LRT... Eh, maraming poste eh... he he he.. Jokes!!!:lol:

venntro

June 19th, 2008, 09:20 AM

^^ 14 posts for each of the proposed 14 stations. :banana:

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 10:08 AM

^^ The most exciting part of it is when the time the construction is in full-blast. You can take shots almost from everywhere in any time... he he he.. sigurado, punong-puno ng post ang ating thread.. nyakk!!!! :lol:

venntro

June 19th, 2008, 10:27 AM

Are there any proposed rendering of how the MRT 7 stations would look like? The benchmark would be LRT2, imo. If they can improve on LRT 2 then much better.

venntro

June 19th, 2008, 10:30 AM

My memory did serve me right.... Salvador Zamora is the younger brother of Ronaldo Zamora

De Venecia ousted
But recites litany of graft, abuses in a parting shot (http://http://www.malaya.com.ph/feb05/news1.htm)

BY WENDELL VIGILIA

HOUSE Speaker Jose de Venecia was unseated last night but not before reciting a litany of graft and corruption against the Arroyo administration.

A motion declaring the speakership vacant was on the way to being carried with the "yes" votes running to three to one against the "no" votes.

A total of 121 votes was needed to pass the motion.

It was uncertain if the oust-De Venecia bloc would move for the election of its nominee, Rep. Prospero Nograles, as the new Speaker last night. It could opt to call for the election in today’s session.

In a privileged speech that lasted almost an hour, an emotional De Venecia also dwelt on the allegations of massive cheating in the 2004 elections.

"I know there were many attempts to tamper with the results of the 2004 elections," he said in a speech that drew big applause from the gallery.

De Venecia said he would discuss his knowledge on the 2004 electoral fraud in another privilege speech.

"The time has now come for us to speak out, put an end to abuse of power and arrogance!" he said, stressing his call for a moral revolution.

De Venecia also blew the whistle on the alleged irregularities on the sale of Transco which he said was secured by a company closely associated with the Arroyos despite the bigger $6 billion offer of mining magnate Salvador Zamora, brother of minority leader Rep. Ronaldo Zamora.

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Are there any proposed rendering of how the MRT 7 stations would look like? The benchmark would be LRT2, imo. If they can improve on LRT 2 then much better.

Based on the map that was posted here, it appears that MRT7 has a direct link to LRT2. We'll lucky those who are studying in UP and Ateneo. This is their break, but the problem is that by the time they graduate, is also the start of the operation of MRT7. he he he...

dancethingy

June 19th, 2008, 11:33 AM

I read on one of the articles that they are going to start construction in 2010 pa lang. IS THIS TRUE!?!?!?!? The finishing date is 2013?!? Grrrrrrr.....

wheel of steel

June 19th, 2008, 11:40 AM

I read on one of the articles that they are going to start construction in 2010 pa lang. IS THIS TRUE!?!?!?!? The finishing date is 2013?!? Grrrrrrr.....

yup!!! They are targeting to be completed in 2013!

dancethingy

June 19th, 2008, 12:39 PM

^^ hai, well it'll be 2013 before ya know it.

michael677

June 19th, 2008, 05:39 PM

pwede naman nila siguro bawasan kahit kakaunti ung dulo ng LRT 1 :lol:

saka sa lrt 2 may mga sections na very sharp ang turn katulad ng underground leg ng katipunan-santolan at legarda area

reminds me of victory monument of bangkok http://youtube.com/watch?v=vfRf2TGziio

^^sana maging kagaya nito ang monumento pag natapos na ang project :cheers:

kratos1211

June 19th, 2008, 07:16 PM

BusinessWorld
Vol. XXI, No. 228
Friday, June 20, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

EDSA railway needs 30 more cars

METRO RAIL TRANSIT LINE 3 (MRT3) needs 30 more cars by 2010 to accommodate the growing number of commuters taking the train along EDSA everyday.

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW062008/mrt.jpg
MRT Line 3 is already operating over capacity by 100,000 passengers per day. — Norman P. Aquino

MRT3 General Manager Roberto T. Lastimoso said this is a "measure of emergency" before the government acquires new coaches to augment the existing trains.

"After 2010, the system might not function anymore because of overcapacity. We are now carrying 450,000 passengers a day. The system is designed to take only 350,000," Mr. Lastimoso told reporters yesterday.

The government needs at least $90 million for the 30 additional cars.

Options

"We have given NEDA [National Economic and Development Authority] two options. It can be offered as a BOT [build-operate-transfer financing] or as a loan. They are now conducting due diligence exercise," said Mr. Lastimoso.

NEDA Executive Director Augusto B. Santos was not available to comment yesterday.

Mr. Lastimoso said the government has the option to choose from various train suppliers such as China, Belgium, Spain and even the Czech Republic, where the existing MRT trains were sourced.

With the additional cars, the MRT will have trains of four coaches from the current three, and will carry an additional capacity of 30,000 passengers per direction daily. It will also reduce the waiting time to 2.5 minutes from the current three minutes.

Aside from the 30 additional cars by 2010, Mr. Lastimoso said 43 new coaches should come in by 2013 as the number of train-riders is expected to expand further. — A. B. L. Lorenzo

PasigGuy

June 19th, 2008, 08:14 PM

"30 additional cars by 2010,"

.......hhaaaayyyy. tagal pa magtitiis ang mga line3 commuters sa pawis, putok, buni at mga manyakis sa tren:ohno:

flip2_0

June 19th, 2008, 10:05 PM

"30 additional cars by 2010,"

.......hhaaaayyyy. tagal pa magtitiis ang mga line3 commuters sa pawis, putok, buni at mga manyakis sa tren:ohno:

Tapos patay pa madalas ang aircon for the whole end-to-end trip. Kahit isipin mong nagtitipid sila sa kuryente, bakit hindi nila buksan lahat ng mga bintana ahead of time (tutal tumatagal ang average wait time to 5-10 minutes) para may pumasok na hangin.

manchowyin

June 20th, 2008, 03:10 AM

Buyout talks for MRT resume
GOVERNMENT, CONSORTIUM REPS REVIVE NEGOTIATIONS
By Lenie Lectura
Reporter
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0620&212008/companies01.html

TALKS for the government to buy out MRT 3 (Metro Rail Transit) from the private-sector consortium led by Fil-Estate Corp. resumed early this week. This, after earlier negotiations early this year collapsed due to pricing differences.

MRT 3 general manager Roberto Lastimoso said MRT 3 lawyers informed him on Tuesday that “negotiations for the buyout were revived” and that it was the Metro Rail Transit that Corp. (MRTC) consortium that initiated the move for a second round of talks with the government representatives.

“They [MRTC] initiated it. It was just last Tuesday when I found out from the lawyers that [the buyout] was being revived. We are going back to the negotiating table. They are now talking with the people from the Department of Finance,” he told reporters.

A deal was supposed to be completed in March this year but the negotiations failed, with both parties citing irreconcilable pricing differences.

“Their offer would total to $902 million but we can only settle at $600 million,” said Lastimoso.

The government wants to acquire the assets and equity of MRT 3 from MRTC to reduce the subsidy cost. Buying out the railway system will give the government about $500 million in savings for the remainder of the 25-year contract expected to end in 2025, said Lastimoso, although an earlier study showed savings can run to $1 billion. He added savings from the subsidy will be used to bankroll the operational expenses of the railway system.

Under the build-operate-transfer contract between the government and the MRTC, the latter is given an assured rate of return on investment of 15 percent a year, but the government wants to bring it down to about 9 percent.

The contract also states the government must pay the private-sector group a total of $2.4 billion over the 25-year period. That means for every month, the government that has to pay MRT 3 owners an estimated $3.3 million to meet the 15-percent rate of return. It also shells out $1.43 million for monthly maintenance expenses to Japanese operator Tespi Corp., a subcontractor of Sumimoto Corp.

“Before, we would only shell out $800,000 a month. That was in 2000. But it has now gone up to $3.3 million every month because the amount increases periodically based on the contract. Also, we are paying the loans in dollars,” he said.

MRT 3 was built with a $655-million funding. Of this, MRTC infused $190 million (P4.49 billion) as equity for 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. These loans are being repaid by the government through a sovereign guarantee to cushion risks to investors and creditors, effectively assuring them of a steady income flow.

Lastimoso said the railway system’s estimated P5.5-million daily revenues, or P165 million a month, fall short of the railway system’s funding requirement because of its inability to raise fares.

The government is also subsidizing the fares at about P48 per passenger. The transportation department had proposed that MRT fares be increased to P16 from a minimum of P10 per ride, while the full-length fare would go up to P25 from P15, which is much lower than the P45 air-conditioned buses charge passengers traveling from North Avenue to Taft Avenue line.

The fare-hike plan had been shelved due to President Arroyo’s request.

Lastimoso said there will be no changes in managing the railway system even if the buyout plan is carried out. “There is no need to form a new group because we are managing the system,” he said.

The official also said there is an urgent need to more railway coaches because the entire transit system might break down anytime. He said a proposal was submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority three months ago.

“We presented two options: buy all brand-new coaches or a combination of brand-new and second-hand units. But the first batch of coaches should be delivered before 2010 and another batch up to 2013,” he said.

A train’s brand new car cost $2 to $3 million each. An additional car train can transport 30,000 passenger per direction, added Lastimoso.

bustero

June 20th, 2008, 06:57 AM

^^the crinkle is not as much in the valuation but from the parties involved (or nakikiinvolve), i fear this may also be the future fate of line 7

anyway i hope they finish this buyout already so that more trainsets can be ordered immediately, this buyout is holding things up.

In the meantime they should really evaluate an increase in fare by about 1 or 2 pesos. More efficient pricing would push more people to the buses and save the system from overuse.

dancethingy

June 20th, 2008, 07:55 AM

^^ I was hoping that someday those buses on edsa will be pushed out of use. Syang.

venntro

June 20th, 2008, 10:50 AM

^^ They should fast track the plan to add an additional car train in MRT 3. The three-car set up is really putting a strain in the system. Plus one car is even reserved for female, disabled and elderly passengers. So in effect there are only 2 cars where all other passengers are forced to ride in like sardines.

basti

June 20th, 2008, 04:11 PM

"30 additional cars by 2010,"

.......hhaaaayyyy. tagal pa magtitiis ang mga line3 commuters sa pawis, putok, buni at mga manyakis sa tren:ohno:

Haay, nung isang araw, nakatabi ko pa yung isang mamang amoy overripe na bayabas! Panay exhale-exhale-exhale ako ng malakas....

michael677

June 20th, 2008, 05:23 PM

puede :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2587171288_d57f4139a8_o.jpg

its possible..
monumento reminds me of victory monumento in bangkok :cheers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZLh4y-BSjY&NR=1

le Reine

June 21st, 2008, 10:30 AM

dancethingy

June 21st, 2008, 02:31 PM

^^ Its hard to say, any increase in prices nowadays will lead to higher inflation. An increase in MRTs fare may also encourage other transport groups to raise their fares.

le Reine

June 21st, 2008, 02:38 PM

^^ Its hard to say, any increase in prices nowadays will lead to higher inflation. An increase in MRTs fare may also encourage other transport groups to raise their fares.1-2 pesos won't make much difference because at the moment, buses plying EDSA are actually more expensive. Transport groups couldn't demand a higher fare because they've just asked for a fare hike recently and it should be approved first by the LTFRB. Besides, as I've said, if the LRT 1 and 2, which imposes a 15-peso fare in all stations except the first two stations, could make it why couldn't MRT-3, which has more passengers. Aside from that, it is in dire need for more revenues to improve their service.

juandecervantes

June 21st, 2008, 02:56 PM

1-2 pesos won't make much difference because at the moment, buses plying EDSA are actually more expensive. Transport groups couldn't demand a higher fare because they've just asked for a fare hike recently and it should be approved first by the LTFRB. Besides, as I've said, if the LRT 1 and 2, which imposes a 15-peso fare in all stations except the first two stations, could make it why couldn't MRT-3, which has more passengers. Aside from that, it is in dire need for more revenues to improve their service.

dire need? syempre. Ang daming FHM ads sa labas. Nawawalan ata ng pag - asa. Mga desperado!

metrosuburban

June 21st, 2008, 03:10 PM

onga eh. why doesn't the gov't just do what they did in LRT, make the fare 15 pesos in all stations except the first 2 stations? 10 pesos is way too cheap.

politics! :nuts:

absinthe_888

June 21st, 2008, 03:24 PM

mahihirapan sila magtaas. lalo na ngayon with all the prices going up...tama si metrosuburban, politika din yan.

dancethingy

June 21st, 2008, 09:53 PM

You may be right. I think the owner of MRT right now is being completely negligent of the system, which may explain why they haven't acted or addressed suggested ideas by the public. I don't think anything will get done until the government buys out MRT3.

1-2 pesos won't make much difference because at the moment, buses plying EDSA are actually more expensive. Transport groups couldn't demand a higher fare because they've just asked for a fare hike recently and it should be approved first by the LTFRB. Besides, as I've said, if the LRT 1 and 2, which imposes a 15-peso fare in all stations except the first two stations, could make it why couldn't MRT-3, which has more passengers. Aside from that, it is in dire need for more revenues to improve their service.

Waldenstrom

June 22nd, 2008, 03:29 AM

Light Rail Transit operations suspended due to 'Frank' (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080622-144099/Light-Rail-Transit-operations-suspended-due-to-Frank)

INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines--Power outages caused by Typhoon "Frank" (international code name: Fengshen) have led to the suspension of operations of the electrically powered Light Rail Transit system, an official of the Light Rail Transit Authority told dzMM radio.

Signal No. 3 has been hoisted in Metro Manila and many area of the city are without power, according to radio reports.

spearhead

June 22nd, 2008, 05:34 AM

bartstrife99

June 22nd, 2008, 11:44 AM

They can also look for some north american maker of trains/trams, the Bombardier:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:K4500_VB_Presentation.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/K4500_VB_Presentation.jpg/800px-K4500_VB_Presentation.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/357036_at_Southend_Central.jpg/800px-357036_at_Southend_Central.jpg
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/pix/bombardier_swift060315.jpg
http://www.railway-technology.com/contractor_images/bombardier/1-Brussels-metro.jpg
http://www.railway-technology.com/contractor_images/bombardier/3-Frankfurt-metro.jpg
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/pix/flexity_swift_istanbul.jpg

W0w Nice pic, i want to see those pic stand in the Pagcor City aside from Monorail! :lol:

queetz@home

June 22nd, 2008, 05:44 PM

They can also look for some north american maker of trains/trams, the Bombardier:

NO!!!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! Don't you get it???? Bombardier is EVIL!!! Perhaps if you study a little bit more of Canadian history and politics, you would understand why a lot of Canadians dislike that corporate leech that has screwed up so many cities while we Canadian taxpayers have to constantly bail them out.

Bombardier f*cked up the rail rapid transit expansion in the Vancouver area by making secret deals with the NDP government to convert the proposed Broadway Line LRT to the crap underpopulated Millenium Line that you see today.

The Broadway Line a conventional LRT system (like the one seen in Metro Manila that as we know is capable of at least 350,000 a day far more than the requirements of any line in Greater Vancouver) that, for a cost of 1.2 billion would give us rail rapid transit from the Columbia skytrain station in New Westminster to Commercial Drive to Vancouver via the Lougheed Highway/Broadway Corridor AND A VERY IMPORTANT SPUR TO THE EXTREMELY FAST GROWING AND NOW EXTREMELY DENSE NORTHEASTERN SUBURBS, with an easy expansion to UBC. What Bombardier, through a secret meeting with NDP premier Glen Clark, implemented instead the Millenium Line, which is their proprietory skytrain system wherein now we DON"T HAVE A RAPID TRANSIT LINK TO THE NORTHEAST SECTOR and WE CANNOT EXPAND TO UBC EASILY.

And because the skytrain system is now in the middle of the route, to expand to the Northeast would cost an additional 1.4 billion dollars and to UBC, 2.4 billion dollars! At the earliest, those project COULD only be built by 2014 (far longer than any of the Metro Manila lines now in the drawing board) and UBC to 2020!!! We need the Northeast Line 5 YEARS AGO and the UBC Line NOW, which would have been possible if Bombardier didn't f*ck us up! Fortunately, the BC government learned their lesson for the new Canada line and picked SNC Lavalin and Rotem for that line so we would now have an airport line similar to Manila's LRT2!

The above one is just ONE example! Other examples...Las Vegas Monorail...a total screw up and we all know who built that thing! The system is extremely expensive and the locations and stations are absolute crap its such a hassle to take it! Now Las Vegas is finding it difficult to expand the unprofitable system (its a public private partnership venture with Bombardier at the helm) and may even need to tear it down and start from scratch.

Scarborough RT Line in Toronto, another Bombardier screw up! That line needed more trains since they are getting old and cannot cope with capacity (sound familiar?) but since Bombardier is the only supplier and doesn't want to build them anymore, they are screwed! Now Toronto would need to TEAR DOWN that line, something the residents of Scarborough absolutely needs.

And what's the deal with the Bombardier made Acela high speed trains for the Northeastern US??? On an already car dependent society wherein some US politicians are trying to get people out of their cars and into trains, Bombarider gives them a trainset that has...defective brakes!!! So now the trains actually have to slow down, nullifying the effects of offering a faster alternative to the automobile in that corridor! Geeze!

Nancy, France, the Bombardier Guided bus...ooooh don't even get me started on that piece of sh*t!

And you want this piece of sh*t company to come to Philippine soil? You think our rail rapid transit expansion is slow, inadequate, etc, wait until Bombardier gets involved. No amount of Philippine corruption, politicking, bureacracy, nakiki-involve, tongpats, and whatever else barriers to expansion and progress of our rail rapid transit system will compare to what screw ups Bombardier can do to us as it has done so in other countries. And don't even get me started on the airplanes. And while we're at it, boycott SEADOO Jetskis and use Yamaha instead!

le Reine

June 22nd, 2008, 06:33 PM

^^OMG... Cool lang Queetz. Ninenerbyos akong basahin ang post mo. Chill. Whew!

le Reine

June 22nd, 2008, 06:34 PM

^^OMG... Cool lang Queetz. Ninenerbyos akong basahin ang post mo. Chill. Whew!

FerrariLover

June 22nd, 2008, 06:56 PM

^^OMG... Cool lang Queetz. Ninenerbyos akong basahin ang post mo. Chill. Whew!

Yup...marieantoinette is right...keep cool lang....masyado techical pinagsasabi
mo dyan... ms. marie, what is your contact number...pls....

leechtat

June 22nd, 2008, 07:03 PM

^^ OT: xp girl.. may namumuong IA, at may ferrari siya!! go!!

thanks for the info @queetz..

le Reine

June 22nd, 2008, 07:16 PM

Yup...marieantoinette is right...keep cool lang....masyado techical pinagsasabi
mo dyan... ms. marie, what is your contact number...pls....Hey, things like this should be done on PM. And my number is not for public use. :lol:

^^ OT: xp girl.. may namumuong IA, at may ferrari siya!! go!!

thanks for the info @queetz..Hala. OT na po tayo. Let's all get back to topic. Thanks

ryanr

June 22nd, 2008, 07:20 PM

As soon as i saw spearhead's post regarding Bombardier, I was just waiting for queetz to reply:D I knew he could tell the screw ups of bombardier better than me.

dancethingy

June 22nd, 2008, 10:49 PM

I understand queetz frustration. I am a big fan of public transportation, especially rail lines, and when someone messes it up it sucks big time. An entire city's livelihood and progress can be attributed to the efficiency of its rail transport. Picture rail lines as major blood vessels feeding oxygenated blood to much needed organs within a city or a country. We know, biologically, that certain parts of the body that are used more often needs increased blood vessels to feed blood into the area. Imagine if this area of the body experiencing more frequent use doesn't get the blood it needs due to an abnormality in blood vessel distribution, activity then will be limited. Same thing goes with rail lines, except we have to anticipate places where a rail line should pass because of an anticipated increase in activity.

Rail lines, the bloodline of a city/country

Far out!

kalbongdad

June 23rd, 2008, 06:29 AM

well...in that case....with the info of @queetz....i would definitely not buy from bombardier should i decide to buy a new airplane and have my own monorail in my backyard....:lol:

FrancisXavier

June 23rd, 2008, 06:55 AM

question... can the MRT3 track accommodate a train of LTR2's size?

Manila-X

June 23rd, 2008, 07:00 AM

question... can the MRT3 track accommodate a train of LTR2's size?

That's a really good question cause if it did. They should upgrade the trains to heavy-rail type.

BTW, when I was crusin in EDSA, I noticed flat screen tvs installed at mrt stations

FrancisXavier

June 23rd, 2008, 07:22 AM

yeah.. EDSA deserves a train as wide as LRT2's given the number of comuters.

habagatcentral1

June 23rd, 2008, 08:32 AM

That's a really good question cause if it did. They should upgrade the trains to heavy-rail type.

BTW, when I was crusin in EDSA, I noticed flat screen tvs installed at mrt stations

Yup, thats for advertising and information. They have it operated in Quezon Ave and North Ave stations.

spearhead

June 23rd, 2008, 09:26 PM

NO!!!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! Don't you get it???? Bombardier is EVIL!!!

Natawang kinabahan ako syo man akala ko kung ano na ang sasabog dyan sa sikmora mo e!!! :lol:

Perhaps if you study a little bit more of Canadian history and politics, you would understand why a lot of Canadians dislike that corporate leech that has screwed up so many cities while we Canadian taxpayers have to constantly bail them out.

Bombardier f*cked up the rail rapid transit expansion in the Vancouver area by making secret deals with the NDP government to convert the proposed Broadway Line LRT to the crap underpopulated Millenium Line that you see today.

The Broadway Line a conventional LRT system (like the one seen in Metro Manila that as we know is capable of at least 350,000 a day far more than the requirements of any line in Greater Vancouver) that, for a cost of 1.2 billion would give us rail rapid transit from the Columbia skytrain station in New Westminster to Commercial Drive to Vancouver via the Lougheed Highway/Broadway Corridor AND A VERY IMPORTANT SPUR TO THE EXTREMELY FAST GROWING AND NOW EXTREMELY DENSE NORTHEASTERN SUBURBS, with an easy expansion to UBC. What Bombardier, through a secret meeting with NDP premier Glen Clark, implemented instead the Millenium Line, which is their proprietory skytrain system wherein now we DON"T HAVE A RAPID TRANSIT LINK TO THE NORTHEAST SECTOR and WE CANNOT EXPAND TO UBC EASILY.

And because the skytrain system is now in the middle of the route, to expand to the Northeast would cost an additional 1.4 billion dollars and to UBC, 2.4 billion dollars! At the earliest, those project COULD only be built by 2014 (far longer than any of the Metro Manila lines now in the drawing board) and UBC to 2020!!! We need the Northeast Line 5 YEARS AGO and the UBC Line NOW, which would have been possible if Bombardier didn't f*ck us up! Fortunately, the BC government learned their lesson for the new Canada line and picked SNC Lavalin and Rotem for that line so we would now have an airport line similar to Manila's LRT2!

The above one is just ONE example! Other examples...Las Vegas Monorail...a total screw up and we all know who built that thing! The system is extremely expensive and the locations and stations are absolute crap its such a hassle to take it! Now Las Vegas is finding it difficult to expand the unprofitable system (its a public private partnership venture with Bombardier at the helm) and may even need to tear it down and start from scratch.

Scarborough RT Line in Toronto, another Bombardier screw up! That line needed more trains since they are getting old and cannot cope with capacity (sound familiar?) but since Bombardier is the only supplier and doesn't want to build them anymore, they are screwed! Now Toronto would need to TEAR DOWN that line, something the residents of Scarborough absolutely needs.

And what's the deal with the Bombardier made Acela high speed trains for the Northeastern US??? On an already car dependent society wherein some US politicians are trying to get people out of their cars and into trains, Bombarider gives them a trainset that has...defective brakes!!! So now the trains actually have to slow down, nullifying the effects of offering a faster alternative to the automobile in that corridor! Geeze!

Nancy, France, the Bombardier Guided bus...ooooh don't even get me started on that piece of sh*t!

And you want this piece of sh*t company to come to Philippine soil? You think our rail rapid transit expansion is slow, inadequate, etc, wait until Bombardier gets involved. No amount of Philippine corruption, politicking, bureacracy, nakiki-involve, tongpats, and whatever else barriers to expansion and progress of our rail rapid transit system will compare to what screw ups Bombardier can do to us as it has done so in other countries. And don't even get me started on the airplanes. And while we're at it, boycott SEADOO Jetskis and use Yamaha instead!

WTF man easy kalang hehe di naman namin alam na alergic ka pala sa bombardier... Pero malay mo naman na umubra sila dito, we'll never know till we try it....

Wala talaga akong alam sa mga kalokohan nila... Magaganda naman sana ang porma ng mga trains nila pero malay natin, baka mag-work sa pinas yang istilo ng bombardier....

You're still funny! Wag ka nalang makinig dito! :lol:

le Reine

June 23rd, 2008, 09:34 PM

sHSs5DpIssQ

spearhead

June 23rd, 2008, 09:40 PM

Bombardier's customer care from some of its services may not be as pleasant as we normally expect from any companies, but their train technologies are good w/ higher qualities as well.

queez don't generalize naman lahat ng services ng Bombardier. Overall okey naman sila. :)

------------------------------------------------------------------
The World’s First Hybrid Train Built By Bombardier Officially Enters Commercial Service In The Champagne-Ardenne Region Of France

Troyes, October 09, 2007

Trailblazing Technology Enables Bombardier Hybrid AGC To Run Across The Entire French Rail Network

Hybrid AGC Ensures Fleet Optimization And The Introduction Of New Non-Stop Services
Champagne-Ardenne regional and transportation authorities and Bombardier Transportation today inaugurated the first dual-mode and dual-voltage AGC (Autorail Grande Capacité, high-capacity railcar) in the presence of French National Railways (SNCF) CEO Anne-Marie Idrac. This event is a world premiere in that the hybrid AGC combines certain operating features for the first time ever in a train.

Dual-mode (electrical and diesel) and dual-voltage (1500 and 25000 V) technology enables the Hybrid AGC to glide seamlessly across the entire railway network and to access electricity from any available source. This will result in energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions, as well as negating infrastructure constraints and the need for passengers to change trains.

http://www.bombardier.com/index.jsp?id=0_0&lang=en&file=/en/0_0/pressrelease.jsp%3Fgroup%3D0_0%26lan%3Den%26action%3Dview%26id%3D7764%26sCateg%3D1_0

I dont know what else queez@home issues w/ Bombardier, but they are one of the leading manufacturer of locomotives.

Who can ever resist their designs? The world loves bombardier! Maybe only few filipino-canadians hates them but they are not the majority.

PHOTOS HERE:
http://www.bombardier.com/index.jsp?media=true&id=1_0&lang=en&file=%2FMediaCenter%2FMultimedia%3Fgid%3D1_0%26Language%3Den%26action%3Dview%26cid%3D50

About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2007, were $14.8 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.

spearhead

June 23rd, 2008, 09:59 PM

W0w Nice pic, i want to see those pic stand in the Pagcor City aside from Monorail! :lol:

Countries allover the world are looking for Bombardier trains:

BELGIUM
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8615/2_LR_FLEXITY-Outlook-Brussels.jpg

CANADA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/6175/2_TorontoRocket_EXT-LowRes.jpg

CHINA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8335/2_Beijing_APM-LR.jpg

INDIA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8955/2_Delhi_Metro-LowRes.jpg

ITALY
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/5147/2_FLEXITY_Outlook_Palermo-LR.jpg

KOREA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/9055/2_ART_Yongin_LR.jpg

MALAYSIA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/7915/2_KLext-LR.jpg

UK
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8595/2_LR_Green-Trains.jpg

US
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8675/2_LR_ALP-46_NJT.jpg

MORE PHOTOS:
http://www.bombardier.com/index.jsp?media=true&id=1_0&lang=en&file=%2FMediaCenter%2FMultimedia%3Fgid%3D1_0%26Language%3Den%26action%3Dview%26cid%3D50

spearhead

June 23rd, 2008, 10:04 PM

sHSs5DpIssQ

One can only imagine how best solve the traffic problem in metro manila by building more rail systems like trams, very expensive though. That's only a possible scenario though if they can never be able to get rid of those jeepneys around the metro.

Nice video! :cheers:

queetz@home

June 24th, 2008, 02:06 AM

question... can the MRT3 track accommodate a train of LTR2's size?

It might but to be sure, you need to make actual measurements of the existing platforms to ensure there is enough space. I believe both tracks are standard gauge but the trainset used by LRT2 maybe a little wider.

well...in that case....with the info of @queetz....i would definitely not buy from bombardier should i decide to buy a new airplane and have my own monorail in my backyard....:lol:

Indeed! If you ever strike it super rich, buy a Gulfstream Jet instead of a Bombardier Learjet. Bombardier should be boycotted and hopefully more people who were burned by them have learned their lessons by now. And in the Bombardier Monorail station by the Paris Las Vegas/Balley's Hotel, you literally feel that you are burning in hell!!! Honestly, no airconditioning or ventilation on a glassy station on a desert? What is that???? :nuts:

Porknight

June 25th, 2008, 05:33 PM

probably a dumb question that was answered before , but really guys i didn't read all the past 7 threads .

Is there anyway to have a subway in Metro manila ? looks better that any elevated railway transportation ?

leechtat

June 25th, 2008, 05:47 PM

^^ too costly

absinthe_888

June 25th, 2008, 08:23 PM

at lulubog sa tubig baha hehehe. at sa pilipinas, gagawin pa lang, sisigaw na agad eh OVERPRICED!

spearhead

June 26th, 2008, 03:48 AM

Meron dating plano na gumawa ng subway rail system along roxas blvd, hanggang studies lang sila inabot, mga 1997 ko pa nabasa sa internet yun, tagal na. From cavite to manila ata yun....

Ayus narin ang mga part-subway part elevated, as long na magaganda naman ang mga porma ng mga tren na ginagamit eh tsaka reliable, ayus na ayus na....

PasigGuy

June 26th, 2008, 09:13 AM

sumakay ako kanina ng Purple Line 2, napansin ko ang mga red dot-matrix monitors for information on estimated arrival time of the next train,,,ay mga hindi na gumagana (or hopefully----naka OFF lang)
....sabi ng guards ng tinanong ko: "hindi ko alam eh, pero matagal na atang naka-OFF yan"

...meron ba kayo idea about this?

absinthe_888

June 26th, 2008, 09:54 AM

sira na agad? o baka sinadya na patayin gawa delayed lagi mga tren?

jefflacs

June 26th, 2008, 10:09 AM

nagtitipid ng kuryente? eh mababa naman power consumption ng mga LED displays

brownman

June 26th, 2008, 10:39 AM

sira na agad? o baka sinadya na patayin gawa delayed lagi mga tren?

Meaning these monitors were just installed recently, and now they're not working?

Bombardier trains look gorgeous.:okay:
Sumakit ang mata ko sa mga linya ng kuryente sa video na pinost ni Chris.

jefflacs

June 26th, 2008, 10:56 AM

Meaning these monitors were just installed recently, and now they're not working?

he meant the LED boards sa LRT-2 (yung nagaannounce ng pagdating ng train in minutes). Maybe you were referring to the LCD monitors installed in MRT-3 which is still not working on some stations that I saw

kalbongdad

June 26th, 2008, 11:05 AM

lalo tuloy cluttered ang mga mrt3 stations....nandon ang mga lcd displays na nde pa rin gumagana at nandon pa din ang mga lalagyan ng mga tv...nawalang nakalagay na tv....

mach_5

June 26th, 2008, 11:18 AM

Countries allover the world are looking for Bombardier trains:

BELGIUM
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8615/2_LR_FLEXITY-Outlook-Brussels.jpg

CANADA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/6175/2_TorontoRocket_EXT-LowRes.jpg

CHINA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8335/2_Beijing_APM-LR.jpg

INDIA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8955/2_Delhi_Metro-LowRes.jpg

ITALY
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/5147/2_FLEXITY_Outlook_Palermo-LR.jpg

KOREA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/9055/2_ART_Yongin_LR.jpg

MALAYSIA
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/7915/2_KLext-LR.jpg

UK
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8595/2_LR_Green-Trains.jpg

US
http://www.bombardier.com/en/1_0/ml/8675/2_LR_ALP-46_NJT.jpg

MORE PHOTOS:
http://www.bombardier.com/index.jsp?media=true&id=1_0&lang=en&file=%2FMediaCenter%2FMultimedia%3Fgid%3D1_0%26Language%3Den%26action%3Dview%26cid%3D50

Malabo p tayo d2 mga 'tol!

KELAN PALA IKOKONECT UNG NORTH AVE. STATION UP TO MONUMENTO, AND ONE MORE STATION NEXT TO TAFT (SM MALL OF ASIA)?

AND UNG LINE 2 UP TO MASINAG, THE OTHER END TO DIVISORIA?

BKIT PURO BITIN GAWA NILA???????
NEEDS MORE ELECTION P BA??????

Bka mas masaya p tayo kung nagawa un....

jefflacs

June 26th, 2008, 11:57 AM

Malabo p tayo d2 mga 'tol!

KELAN PALA IKOKONECT UNG NORTH AVE. STATION UP TO MONUMENTO, AND ONE MORE STATION NEXT TO TAFT (SM MALL OF ASIA)?

AND UNG LINE 2 UP TO MASINAG, THE OTHER END TO DIVISORIA?

BKIT PURO BITIN GAWA NILA???????
NEEDS MORE ELECTION P BA??????

Bka mas masaya p tayo kung nagawa un....

Pera lang naman ang puno't dulo nito eh :bash:

Hinde ganun kadali magplano ng line siyempre inaasses nila yung talagang kailangan at pasok sa budget. Kaya nga may mga provision sila na kung sakali iextend madali na.

Mahirap na ata iextend ung MRT 3 from taft to mall of asia, kasi at ground level sia diba saka ung terminus sobrang lapit sa taft ave. About the LRT-1 to MRT-3 extension, I suggest you do a back read on this thread kasi nagsisimula na ang construction.

richard24

June 27th, 2008, 04:55 AM

there are now LRT 2 TRAINS THAT ARE COVERED WITH ADS. the first one i saw was sponsored by E-Telecare. :)

jefflacs

June 27th, 2008, 05:30 AM

there are now LRT 2 TRAINS THAT ARE COVERED WITH ADS. the first one i saw was sponsored by E-Telecare. :)

Rode one last Tuesday and I felt really really reeeeaaaaallllllllyyyy BAD :ohno: nasira ang kagandahan ng LRT 2 trains, buti na lang hinde ako nagtratrabaho sa e-telecare, I'm planing to boycott products which will make ad placements covering the whole train. I understand they need money but not this way! Marami pa namang pwedeng alternative (my humble company is planning to place ads on the LRT 2 line and it was reaaaallly expensive, daming condition which is nice)

RonnieR

June 27th, 2008, 07:43 AM

Mahirap na ata iextend ung MRT 3 from taft to mall of asia, kasi at ground level sia diba saka ung terminus sobrang lapit sa taft ave. About the LRT-1 to MRT-3 extension, I suggest you do a back read on this thread kasi nagsisimula na ang construction.

I think the distance from EDSA Taft to Mall of Asia is far. It is commercially viable and would surely benefit MOA.

habagatcentral1

June 27th, 2008, 07:56 AM

^^ Yeah. Its quite far to MOA. To think of it that the traffic situation at EDSA Extension is horrifying for motorists and commuters alike. So many people are converging at Pasay Rotonda at one time.

Wolf1968 ^_^

June 28th, 2008, 06:37 AM

mach_5

June 28th, 2008, 02:16 PM

It can be done in engineering point of view. But in political point of view the current situation is the end result.

The National Economic and Development Authority and even President Arroyo herself have said that the MRT-LRT link at Monumento is a national priority, since it would not only provide seamless service between the LRT and the MRT, but would also help decongest Metro Manila. It is estimated that by 2010, if the extension is completed, some 684,000 commuters would use the MRT everyday from the present 400,000, and traffic congestion on EDSA would be cut by as much as fifty percent.

Recent developments however indicates that the national government is no longer keen in extending the Blue Line northwards. Instead, what is prioritized is the eastward extension of the Yellow Line towards North Avenue, traversing through EDSA, in order to link up the two systems. It is envisaged that the Termini for the Blue and Yellow Lines will connect with the Terminus of the proposed MRT-7, which will link Quezon City, Caloocan (north), and San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

SOURCE: wikipedia.com

queetz@home

June 28th, 2008, 07:16 PM

I'm kinda curious how MRT3 will be extended to MOA if ever. Right now the terminus station in Taft is at grade. If MRT3 is extended, it would have to pass through Taft Avenue and will cut off traffic for that street. I dunno how they could cope up with that obstacle without cutting off traffic on that street.

Any suggestions? My thoughts are...

1) Make the cars in Taft Avenue headed towards Baclaran turn right at EDSA and with a new elevated U-Turn FLyover (similar to the one in C-5 near the Kalayaan Avenue intersection), they can use that and head back to Taft Avenue. This is the only thing I can think off but for the ones from Baclaran to Manila, if they do the same thing for that part of EDSA, its gonna be a far far drive (due to existing structures nearby, namely the Left Turn Flyover to the airport.

2) Modify the terminus station so that the train can go underground Taft Avenue. This would mean that the Taft Station will need to be shut down and the existing tracks leading up to it be removed while they work on modifying it to be an underground station. The train will essentially go underground until it passes Taft Avenue then can go above grade towards MOA. This solution will be very disruptive and expensive but can be done.

3) Make that portion of MRT3 an at grade LRTs that share vehicular traffic like those in other parts of the world. That is, Taft Avenue will basically be an at grade railway crossing so both the train and cars can pass through. In order for this to work, the frequency to the MOA will have to be lessen, perhaps only normal frequency during peak hours while for the rest of the day, around every 15 to 30 minutes. This faces a couple of impracticalities...1) whether its financially justifiable to do this since revenue and ridership won't be as high as a high frequency train, and 2) will stricter traffic enforcement be inforced in that part of the metropolis, especially given the embedded culture of Filipino drivers being extremely undisciplined. Not sure if at grade LRT with shared traffic will ever work in an environment found in Metro Manila given its ridiculous driving habits of the motorist.

Anyway, shall we discuss, get more suggestions and so on? ;)