An official from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Friday 13 more Dalian trains in the Philippines are expected to serve commuters for MRT3 operations in 2022.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan, during the Senate budget hearing on the proposed P143-billion budget of the DOTr, said that only nine Dalian coaches (three train sets) are operational. He added the agency targets to make 48 Dalian train coaches in MRT3 operational.
“Yung balanse na 39, for commissioning and testing pa po siya at kasama po sa commissioning and testing na ‘yan ‘yung pagpapatakbo ng 1000 kilometers,” Batan said.
The DOTr official explained that the 1000-kilometer test run has been put on hold because its track was replaced in September. Other rail system rehabilitation works also had to be prioritized, he added.
“Yung rehabilitation completion po ng MRT3 is July 2021 so doon po, pag natapos na ‘yung kailangan ayusin, mag-uumpisa na po ‘yung 1000-kilometer na commissioning run,” Batan said.
The test run would take about six to 12 months, said the transportation official.
“So we are looking at 2022 bago ma-utilize ‘yung remaining 13 trains?” Senator Grace Poe asked, in which Batan responded affirmatively.
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13 MRT3 Dalian trains to be operational in 2022
The Aquino administration bought 48 Dalian trains for P3.8 billion, but as of October 2019, only three has completed validation tests, including a 150-hour test run.
The remaining trains have not been used since they may not be compatible with the MRT tracks.
MRT-3’s maintenance provider, Sumitomo Corporation-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – TES Philippines, signaled the Dalian’s train deployment. The Japanese corporation was also contracted to restore the MRT line and maintain its original 72 coaches.
Batan earlier said the government and Sumitomo would need to negotiate another contract to know if the 48 Dalian trains can be integrated into the MRT.
Dalian Lvsang Industry Corporation Ltd. is a Sino-Japan joint venture company, located in the north of China which is founded in 1989 and producing machined cast iron parts for more than 60 customers from Asia, Europe, and America, such as Toshiba Group, Sulzer Group, Weir Group, Toyota, Hitachi, Mazda, etc.
