The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has finally awarded a P3.8-billion ($84 million) contract to Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., CNR Group of China paving the way for the much needed acquisition of 48 new trains that would help decongest the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT3) along EDSA.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has finally awarded a P3.8-billion ($84 million) contract to Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., CNR Group of China paving the way for the much needed acquisition of 48 new trains that would help decongest the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT3) along EDSA.
The Notice of Award was approved by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya based on the recommendation made by DOTC Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla.
The notice was issued based on the findings of the agency's Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and pursuant to BAC Resolution P-GS-PB-2014-1.
The project covers the design, supply, and delivery of 48 light-rail vehicles with on-board communications system, on-board ATP system, and one unit train simulator.
The acquisition of new trains would help alleviate the sufferings of the commuting public as the mass transit system along the congested EDSA is now serving close to 600,000 passengers per day or almost double the original designed capacity of 350,000.
Another Chinese firm CSR Zhouzhou was disqualified by the DOTC.