MRT chief blames complicated contracts for train woes

MRT general manager Al Vitangcol blames previous "intricate" arrangements between the government and private companies as one of the reasons for the MRT's current woes. At the Senate Finance Committee hearing Monday morning, Vitangcol said the complicated contracts are also to blame for the congestion at the train stations. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) backed Vitangcol's claims, saying the private partners, MRT Corporation, and MRT Development Corporation did not hold their end of the bargain, and did nothing once the system breached its passenger capacity 10 years ago. The MRT is only designed to handle 350,000 passengers, but the current number has already reached over 500,000. Also during the hearing, Vitangcol denied allegations made by a Czech ambassador linking him to an extortion attempt in exchange for an MRT contract. ANC Dateline Philippines, April 7, 2014