Building The Philippines Metro Rail Transit Line 3

Summary

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 in the Philippines is a 16.9 km railway with over 13 stations, connecting Quezon City to Pasay. It features two train generations, the Tatra Train from the Czech Republic and the Dalian Train from China, both with a capacity of 394 passengers per car. Despite its success with millions of annual passengers, the MRT has faced challenges such as overcrowding, cost overruns, and maintenance issues. The project, initially supported by international partners, has seen a shift in management and is now undergoing rehabilitation with plans for expansion and new rolling stock, reflecting the Philippine government's renewed focus on infrastructure.

Takeaways

• 🚇 The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 is a 16.9 km railway system in the Philippines' capital region.
• 🌐 It has over 13 stations, starting from Quezon Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay.
• 🚄 MRT Line 3 operates with two generations of trains: the MRTC 3000 Class (Tatra Train) and the MRTC Class 3100 (Dalian Train).
• 🔢 The Tatra Train can hold 394 passengers per car and a 3-4 car set can carry 1,182 to 1,576 passengers per direction.
• 🇨🇿 The Tatra Train was manufactured by a Czech company, with 73 cars supplied and 48 in operation.
• 🇨🇳 The Dalian Train, similar to the Tatra, is manufactured by CRRC Dalian, a Chinese company.
• 🔄 Both train types aim for an operation speed of 60 km/h.
• 📚 The history of MRT Line 3 dates back to 1973, with the aim to revolutionize Manila's transportation amid rising population.
• 🏗️ The project was completed in 1999 with support from international and local partners, including JICA and EEI.
• 📈 By 2013, MRT Line 3 had a daily average of over 487,000 passengers, totaling about 176 million annual passengers.
• 💸 Despite high traffic, the project faced financial issues due to cost overruns and expensive maintenance.
• 🔧 The project was declared in need of rehabilitation just 11 years after opening and has had various accidents.
• 🔄 Maintenance shifted from Japan-based firms to the Philippines' Department of Transportation in 2012, which some argue was a mistake.
• 🔄 Rehabilitation and expansion plans are underway, with new rolling stocks being supplied.
• 🌟 The Philippine government is now more focused on infrastructure, which may positively impact the future of MRT Line 3.

Q & A

What is the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 in the Philippines?

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 is a 16.9-kilometer railway system located within the metropolitan capital region of the Philippines, and it is one of the first rail transportation systems in the country.

How many stations does the MRT Line 3 have, and what are its starting and ending points?

The MRT Line 3 has over 13 stations, starting from Quezon Avenue Station in Quezon City and ending at Taft Avenue Station in the city of Pasay.

What are the two generations of rolling stock used in the MRT Line 3?

The MRT Line 3 is equipped with two generations of rolling stock: the MRTC 3000 Class or Tatra Train and the MRTC Class 3100 or Dalian Train.

What is the capacity of the Tatra Train per car, and how many passengers can it carry in a 3-4 car set?

The Tatra Train has a capacity of 394 passengers per car, and with a 3-4 car set, it can carry up to 1,182 to 1,576 passengers per train set going in one direction.

Which company manufactured the Tatra Train, and how many cars were supplied?

The Tatra Train was manufactured and provided by a Czech Republic company, with over 73 cars supplied, 48 of which are operating under service.

Who is the manufacturer of the second-generation MRTC Class 3100 or Dalian Train?

The second-generation MRTC Class 3100 or Dalian Train is built by a China-based company known as CRRC Dalian.

What is the targeted operation speed of both the Tatra Train and the Dalian Train?

Both the Tatra Train and the Dalian Train have a targeted operation speed of just around 60 kilometers per hour.

When was the MRT Line 3 first conceptualized, and when was it completed?

The history of the MRT Line 3 dates back to 1973, and the project was completed in 1999.

What were the daily and annual passenger numbers in 2004 and 2013 for the MRT Line 3?

In 2004, the MRT Line 3 had over 340,000 daily passengers, summing to about 122 million annual passengers. By 2013, it had hit its highest daily average of over 487,000 people and an estimate of about 176 million annual passengers.

What issues have the MRT Line 3 faced since its opening?

The MRT Line 3 has faced issues such as cost overruns, expensive maintenance, and the need for expansion, which led to it being declared overcrowded and in need of rehabilitation only 11 years after its opening.

How has the change in maintenance from Japan-based firms to the Philippines' Department of Transportation impacted the MRT Line 3?

The change in maintenance from Japan-based firms to the Philippines' Department of Transportation in 2012 has been cited as a negative occurrence, as Japan is known for its expertise in train projects, and the change may have contributed to the issues faced by the MRT Line 3.

What are the current prospects for the MRT Line 3, and how does the government view infrastructure projects now?

The rehabilitation of the MRT Line 3 is taking shape, with talks for expansion and the supply of new generation rolling stocks. The government of the Philippines has shifted from being non-leaning to loving infrastructure projects, showing ambition in the development of the MRT Line 3 and other initiatives.