The MRT-3 continues to deliver its commitment to provide better service to the riding public, as 19 train sets, composed of 16 CKD train sets and three Dalian train sets, are now being deployed for passengers in the mainline.

The 3 Dalian trains were provisionally accepted in July 2019 and passed the required commissioning after undergoing an intensive Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Sustainability (RAMS) Validation Test to ensure the safety and welfare of the passengers. 

With the initiative of Department of Transportation (DOTr), the CCRC Dalian Co. accepted the task to modify and adjust the Dalian trains to be operational without any cost to the Philippine Government.

The DOTr also included in the agreement the technical evaluation and audit of the Dalian Trains by a credible third party consultant— TUV Rheinland of Germany.

The addition of the Dalian train sets enables MRT-3 to minimize the waiting interval between trains, and increase the train capacity of the rail line.

“MRT-3 passengers deserve to experience better service. With the efforts of the DOTr, led by Secretary Tugade, and MRT-3, we made an effort to deploy the Dalian trains in addition to the operational CKD trains for the riding public,” MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael J. Capati said. 

In addition, the MRT-3 has recorded no unloading incident for the past three months since the declaration of General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) last 01 June 2020, where public transportation, including the train system, were allowed to operate on a limited capacity.

The overhaul of light rail vehicles (LRVs), installation of brand new airconditioning units, rehabilitation of escalators and elevators, as well as rail replacement works in the entire rail line are part of the massive rehabilitation and maintenance works being undertaken by the Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy from Japan in the MRT-3, which is slated for completion in July 2021.

Meanwhile, the MRT-3 has continued its rail replacement works during the enforcement of the community quarantine period, wherein 59,250 out of 65,892 (89.92%) linear meters of rails have been completed as of 08 September 2020.

With this, the MRT-3 targets to complete its rail replacement works by September this year, several months ahead of its February 2021 target date.