The Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) is in urgent need to upgrade the system and reassess its rails, according to its former maintenance contractor.
Speaking to "Mornings @ ANC" on Friday, Rolf Bieri, rail consultant of Comm Builders and Technology Philippines Corp., said the MRT's rails are already showing signs of "metal fatigue."
He said the mileage on the coaches' motors is already extended beyond its normal capacity.
In effect, this has forced the government to spend more on maintenance work, he said.
"Honestly speaking, line 3 needs a lot of improvement. Right now, the trains [are] running safe on quick stop solutions implemented by the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications). But there are urgent works that need to be done," he said.
Bieri also warned MRT officials that there should also be additional power sources for the 48 coaches which will be added to the system starting next year.
"The rail and rail support has to be upgraded. I would even suggest to do some examination of the superstructure of the whole system," he said.
"In addition to this, the power has to be doubled or upgraded. Otherwise, these trains, these new coaches will make no sense," he added. -- Source: ANC