LRTA says repair of LRT-2 line will cost P420: spokesman

October 4, 2019

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said it will cost them P420 million to repair damage caused by the fire at Katipunan station on Thursday.

In a television interview over ANC, LRTA spokesperson Hernando Cabrera said the estimates include the budget for buying the replacement for the two burnt rectifier substations.

"We looked at the latest appraisal report way back in 2017. We also consulted previous procurement of similar item. We have arrived at minimum P420 million to repair and restore to full operational capacity the damaged system," explained Cabrera.

On Thursday, operations of LRT-2 were suspended after fire broke out in Katipunan station. Initial investigation revealed that the rectifier substations at the station tripped, causing the fire.

Cabrera announced that partial operations from Recto to Cubao will begin next week. Santolan, Katipunan, and Anonas stations, according to him, will meanwhile remain unavailable for nine months.

The estimated total loss of income due to line's temporary operation halt from Thursday until Sunday or Monday totalled at least P12.8 million to P16 million, said Cabrera.

Estimated income loss due to the nine-month repair in three LRT-2's station is at P405 million, he added.

"The moment we start the partial operation on Monday or Tuesday, we are speculating that the financial losses will go down around P1.5 million daily," he added.

He said the incident is still under investigation. Commission engineers from America is expected to visit the damaged site on Sunday.

"On Sunday, the commissioning engineer, the original commissioning engineer, will be coming on Sunday. They will be coming from Florida," the spokesperson said.

"They will be joining us in the investigation. Hopefully with their expertise, we will be able to sort out what really happened with our rectifiers," he added. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS