MANILA, Philippines --- Passengers of the Metro Rail Transit may have to endure overcrowded trains longer after foreign companies interested to bid for the P3.7-billion MRT 3 Capacity Expansion Project yesterday asked government to adjust the schedule for delivery of trains.

During the pre-bidding conference conducted by the Department of Transportation and Communications Bids and Awards Committee (DOTC-BAC), representatives of foreign manufacturers of light rail vehicles (LRVs) all said they could not deliver the prototype 12 months after the notice to proceed and the rest of the 48 LRVs in 48 months as prescribed in the bidding terms.

The interested bidders include Korean company Hyundai, Japanese firm Sumitomo Corp., and Chinese company China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation Limited.

They said the earliest delivery of a prototype would be in 20 months and full delivery of trains 12 months later. In effect, it will take the contractor at least two years and eight months to fulfill the contract from the date of the award and the issuance of notice to proceed.

Other prospective bidders also asked the DOTC-BAC to postpone the scheduled submission and opening of bids set for March 22. They said a two-month deferment would be reasonable, especially for foreign bidders who could be delayed by the need to translate the documentary requirements.

The DOTC BAC did not immediately respond to the request but Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla assured them that it would be seriously deliberated upon and the decision would be published in a bid bulletin.

“The bidders’ concern will be considered since we want a good number of bidders to participate,” Lotilla said.

Lotilla said they would also consider the effect of any postponement or delay to the riding public.

“We have to weigh those things especially as it an urgent need to augment the fleet of MRT in consideration of the passengers who are always plagued with overcrowding,” he said.

Lotilla also assured the riding public that even with possible adjustments in the schedule to acquire new LRVs for the MRT 3, the capacity expansion of the mass transit system will still happen before the end of the Aquino administration in 2016.

The P3.7-billion MRT 3 Capacity Expansion Project has two parts. Under Lot 1 of the project, the DoTC will acquire an additional 48 LRVs that will then use 4-car trains that arrive every 2.5 minutes.

“This will enhance passenger convenience, improve reliability, reduce passengers’ waiting time, and decongest crowded passenger platforms,” the DoTC said.

Lot 2 of the project, meanwhile, includes the electro-mechanical works to sync the new LRVs with the existing communication and signaling system of the MRT 3.