DOTC’s conflicting contracts for the MRT-LRT Common Station

building the elevated railway of LRT1’s extension. Although doing so preempted the MRT-7 contract, it was agreed that its cost would simply be offset against the account of ULC. No problem there.

In 2010, with the Aquino administration installed, then-DOTC Secretary Ping de Jesus deemed the common station a priority. Aquino was determined to ease the plight of the riding public—who, to get from Caloocan to Makati and vice versa, had to disembark from the Roosevelt Station, take a jeepney to Trinoma where the MRT-3 station is located and line up again for the journey to Makati.

So as not to waste any more time, De Jesus ventured to build the common station, the cost of which would again be off-set against ULC’s account. In fact, ads were published for the public bidding of construction works. Unfortunately, LRT-1 South Extension, running from Baclaran to Bacoor, was bid out under a PPP framework. For some mystifying reason, its concession agreement followed and the common station be built in front of SM, LRMC can sue government for breach of contract. It gives them (LRMC) a legal basis to demand financial remuneration on top (or in lieu) of a relaxation of some key performance indicators contained in its concession agreement. On the other hand, if the common station is built in Trinoma, ULC can do the same. Either way, the Filipino tax payer will have to pick up the bill for this snafu.

To salvage the situation, the DOTC has been peddling the idea of having two common stations. According to its proposal, the SM station can service the passengers of MRT-3 and MRT-7, while the Trinoma station would service those of MRT-3 and LRT-1.

While the scheme is doable on paper, what the DOTC failed to consider is the plan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to build a multi-lane flyover that traverses the intersection of EDSA from Trinoma leading to Balintawak, and vice versa. This project has already secured NEDA approval with funding already in place.

The flyover will not affect the common station in SM since its construction was taken into account when the flyover was planned. It will, however, affect the viaduct that will enable MRT trains coming from Trinoma to reach the SM station. In other words, with the flyover built, MRT-3 will have to terminate in Trinoma, defeating the purpose of a common station where passengers can seamlessly transfer to and from MRT-3, MRT-7 and LRT-1.

I can only see three possible outcomes from this mess. One possibility is that the DOTC pushes through with its plan of building two common stations. In this scenario, riders who wish to transfer to or from MRT-7 and MRT-3 will have to find some means of getting to Trinoma from SM (or vice versa), most likely by foot or by jeepney. It will be a logistical disaster for the riding public.

The second possibility is that only one station will be built. In which case, government will face lawsuits it will likely lose. The tax-paying public will have to absorb the cost of damages sustained by either ULC or LRMC.

The third possibility is that the DPWH changes its plans from building a flyover to an underpass. Should this happen, the project will be pushed back by at least three years as engineering and financial arrangements will have to start from scratch. In the meantime, the motorists will bear the brunt of agony as traffic will become increasingly unbearable in the area.

All this wouldn’t have happened if the DOTC only stuck to the original plan. This begs the question: what (or who) does Ayala have inside DOTC in that it is moving heaven and earth just to get the common station built in front of its mall? Andrew is an economist, political analyst and businessman. He is a 20-year veteran in the hospitality and tourism industry. For comments and reactions, e-mail andrew_rs6@yahoo. com. More of his business updates are available via his Facebook page (Andrew J. Masigan). Follow Andrew on Twitter @aj_masigan.