First of new MRT trains to start run in April, says DOTC

New train coaches arrived last week to add to the existing fleet of the Metro Rail Transit, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOTC

A new train will be added to the fleet of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) before April this year, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

In a statement on Tuesday, DOTC said two light rail vehicles (LRVs) arrived last week and were assembled over the weekend to complete the first new MRT 3 train expected to be launched in April.

DOTC said the LRV 3 and 4 would start its static testing by the end of February and dynamic testing by March, which includes checks on acceleration and braking to ensure the reliability of the train’s components.

The new coaches will undergo a test run of 1,000 kilometers.

LRV 2, meanwhile, will complete its dynamic testing by the end of February and by the end of March, it will have completed its 5,000-km test run.

The MRT 3 is expected to receive 48 new train coaches this year to address the increase of ridership.

Currently, ridership in the MRT 3 reaches up to 600,000 passengers per day, well above its design capacity of 350,000 passengers daily.

The MRT 3 has drawn sharp criticism from the public due to its series of technical problems that have paralyzed its operations. RC