DOTr, Sumitomo discuss integration of China-made Dalian trains

MANILA, Philippines — The first Dalian train set is ready to be integrated into the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) operations this month, with the government to discuss further with the Japanese maintenance provider the possible deployment of all the controversial China-made Dalian trains into the train system.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said deployment of all the 48 Dalian trains into MRT-3’s services would still be subject to the agreement between the DOTr and Sumitomo.

“The maintenance and operations (contract) defined the number of trains. If we will increase that then their work and responsibility expands because the number of trains which they have to maintain and operate would also increase. That would entail additional cost, but I hope that it will not be substantial,” Tugade said.

“What is definite is we have broken the barrier. One Dalian train will be used by September. I said earlier it would be used by the last week August, but there have been some discussions. It will address off-peak (hours)” he said.

Tugade said only three Dalian train sets have so far undergone testing, which included a 1,000-kilometer and 150-hour validation tests.

The gradual deployment of the first Dalian train set commenced in Oct. 27 last year. One Dalian train set is composed of three light rail vehicles (LRVs).

Incompatibility concerns were earlier raised with the 48 LRVs procured by the previous administration for P3.8 billion after they exceeded the weight prescribed in the terms of reference (49,700 kilos vs 46,300 kilos).