Dalian trains may hit tracks this year

COMING SOON MRT 3 passengers may finally get to ride on new trains if things go as planned. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The 48 Dalian trains, which for over two years have been gathering dust at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 depot pending the results of an independent audit, are likely to hit the tracks this year, according to Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade.

But while Chinese manufacturer Dalian Corp. was expected to shoulder the cost of all technical adjustments to make the trains compatible with the rest of the MRT 3 fleet, Tugade said these must be done before Japan’s Sumitomo takes over the rehabilitation of Metro Manila’s busiest train system in the last quarter of 2018.

Fewer trains with rehab

He explained that the rehabilitation project which could take at least two years was expected to reduce the number of available trains to 12 or less.

Without the new Dalian trains being brought on board, the lack of trains would cripple MRT 3 operations, Tugade said in a recent press briefing.

The 48 Dalian trains worth P3.2 billion remain unused because of supposed safety and incompatibility issues.

An independent review conducted by TUV Rheinland, however, indicated that with some technical adjustments, “they can be ready for use without sacrificing the safety, security and life of the passengers,” Tugade said.

Asked how extensive these adjustments were, Tugade replied: “One word: manageable.” —WITH REPORTS FROM IANNA AGUS AND FATE COLOBONG