DoTC proposes two rail stations

Manila Philippines:

The Transportation Department now plans to allow the construction of two common light rail stations near North Avenue in Quezon City as a compromise deal with SM Group and Ayala Land Inc.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya said building two common stations, one in front of Ayala-owned Trinoma mall and the other at SM City North Edsa, was the best option for the government to finally proceed with the light rail interconnection project, which would be a part of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite extension contract.

“The best option is to proceed with TriNoma common station, where it will house LRT 1 and MRT 3. This means that the concession agreement remains intact and we could award [LRT 1 extension] without any change in their term,” Abaya said in an interview at the sidelines of the Wallace Business Forum Tuesday.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. filed a law suit against the Transportation Department and Light Rail Transit Authority for allegedly breaching the contract on the location of the proposed P1.4-billion common station.  It opposed to transfer the common station from SM North Edsa to Ayala Land-owned TriNoma shopping.

The Supreme Court then issued a stay order on the government’s plan to build the common station in front of TriNoma, which affected the awarding of the LRT 1 extension project to the consortium of Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

“The concession agreement also doesn’t stop the concessioner and government from building a mini common station that will house LRT 1 and MRT 7. That I think is the win-win solution,” Abaya said.

Abaya said he was set to discuss the proposal with SM executives.  “Clearly, the quick solution for SM to pull out their complaint while we are looking for a win-win solution that everybody’s interests and advocacies will be accommodated,” he said.

Source: Manila Standard Today

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