MRT-3 line expects to deploy Dalian trains this month — MRT exec

MANILA,  Philippines — The three sets of Dalian trains are expected to be deployed for use by the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) this month, a MRT-3 official said Thursday.

“We are doing our best to make sure na ma-insert namin ang Dalian the soon as possible time, hopefully this month,” MRT-3 Director Michael Capati told reporters in a press conference.

He said are just waiting for the green light from its maintenance provider, the consortium Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), and TES Philippines (TESP), and the Department of Transportation before they could deploy the Dalian trains.

Capati assured that the MRT-3 can “readily insert” the three train sets  “given a few days’ notice”.”

“We have already accepted three train sets and given a few days’ notice, we can readily insert is as soon as MRT-3 DOTr at ang ating maintenance provider Sumitomo agrees whatever conditions they have,” he said.

Once the Dalian trains are deployed along the MRT-3 tracks, the MRT-3 director said it could accommodate as much as 10,000 to 20,000 passengers daily.

Capati assured that the three sets of China-made trains that the previous government has purchased has already undergone and passed the 1,000-kilometer commissioning test.  /muf