DOTC: One new MRT-3 train by end of Q1

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Monday assured that one new running train on the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) will be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2016.

The DOTC recently conducted tests on the second MRT light rail vehicle or coach delivered from Dalian, China which arrived in December 2015.

"If the evaluation of the first set is found to be satisfactory, we are expecting one new train to be operational by the end of this quarter," DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said.

According to the DOTC, 48 new coaches are expected as part of its MRT-3 capacity expansion project. This project seeks to decongest the country's railway system.

Abaya said that commuters will experience increased convenience and service reliability with the arrival of new coaches.

Two more coaches are expected to be delivered by February, followed by four units per month by March.

The delivery of all 48 units is expected to be completed by January 2017.

Last Sunday, the DOTC conducted an initial test on the new units from the station at Taft Avenue in Pasay City to North Avenue in Quezon City. The agency is set to hold more tests during non-revenue hours.

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