The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is seeking approval of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board anew for the proposed revision to the Metro Rail Transit line 4 (MRT-4) to address the anticipated high passenger volume in eastern Metro Manila.
MRT-4 was initially approved by the NEDA Board in 2020 under the previous administration.
The project is a 13.56-kilometer elevated monorail transit system from N. Domingo in Quezon City to the Taytay diversion road.
DOTr has proposed to revise the project following the results of the study funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which noted the need to change the technology from monorail to conventional heavy rail, metro rail.
“When we reviewed the passenger projections, we saw the passenger projections (from) eastern Metro Manila, which is really the catchment of MRT-4, everything from Pasig, Ortigas extension down Manila east, Taytay, we saw that if you look at that demand, the monorail can’t handle it. It was also an ADB-funded study that did this. And we saw that we needed to change from the monorail technology to conventional heavy rail, metro rail technology,” said. .
The DOTr is also seeking approval to revise the initial P57.07 billion approved project cost.
In terms of funding, DOTr is expected to secure approval from ADB and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for the $1- billion loan this year for MRT-4.
“We’re still targeting to have this approved (loan) by the ADB board as well as the AIIB board within the year. So, we’re just processing. Right now, we need to get a NEDA Board reapproval,” added.
Last year, DOTr signed a contract with Ricardo Rail Australia Pty Ltd for the provision of consultancy services on the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the MRT-4.
Under the 12-month shadow operator consultant contract, the Australian company will identify, define and develop internationally accepted best practice O&M requirements.
MRT-4 is a big-ticket railway project to be funded by the ADB.
It will serve the eastern side of Metro Manila with 10 stations that will traverse along Ortigas avenue and Ortigas avenue extension.
