Deployment of Dalian trains starts

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) started yesterday the gradual deployment of the controversial China-made Dalian trains for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, together with officials from the DOTr, MRT-3 and Philippine National Railways, rode the first Dalian train set.

Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the first Dalian train set will be initially be used during off-peak hours on weekends for 150 hours.

Batan said the remaining Dalian train sets are still being tested.

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).

Following an independent audit by German firm TUV Rheinland, the DOTr said the Dalian trains can still be used if the adjustments identified in the audit are addressed “without sacrificing the safety, the security, and life of the passengers and the system.”

CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd. of China, the manufacturer of the trains, agreed to shoulder the cost for technical adjustments to be made on the 48 trains as the government aims to integrate the trains into the MRT-3 operations this year. – Robertzon Ramirez