DOTr inks deal with Meralco to power Metro Manila subway
THE Department of Transportation ( DOTr) on Thursday, Feb. 15, signed a deal with the Manila Electric Company ( Meralco) for the distribution utility to power the Metro Manila Subway project.
Its partnership with Meralco, DOTr said, allows the latter to construct facilities at the Valenzuela Depot of the Metro Manila Subway.
In particular, the two parties inked a Switching Station Agreement with Deeds of Usufruct.
Under the deal, the DOTr will provide Meralco with a switching station area of 1,743 square meters for the interconnection of the Metro Manila Subway to the energy provider’s distribution network.
The Transportation Department said that once it grants a lot for Meralco, the power distributor will finance, install, construct, control, operate, and maintain the required facilities within the Switching Station for the Metro Manila Subway interconnection.
For his part, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the deal with the power distributor will guarantee commuters uninterrupted power and reliable service from the railway system.”
“I would like to thank Meralco for your support as this agreement will help the Metro Manila Subway a step closer to reality,” said Bautista.
The Metro Manila Subway has a total project cost of P488.48 billion or ¥ 1.08 trillion. The project is expected to be fully completed and operational by 2029.
The subway will run for 33 kilometers from Valenzuela to Bicutan and have 17 stations.
It will traverse the cities of Valenzuela, Quezon, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Parañaque, and Pasay.
The project is expected to benefit over 500,000 commuters.
The subway is seen to cut travel time from Valenzuela to NAIA from over an hour to over 14 minutes. (GMA Integrated News)