Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that MRT-3 (Metro Rail Transit Line 3) would deploy its first Dalian, a China-made train for limited operation beginning today, October 15, 2019.
MRT-3 Director Michael Capati said Dalian China-made train has three coaches and could carry up to 1,050 passengers. The train will run during evening off-peak hours, from 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. starting today, Tuesday.
The Aquino administration bought 48 Dalian trains for P3.8 billion, but as of now, 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.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy Batan earlier said the government and Sumitomo would need to negotiate another contract to know if the Dalian Corp’s 48 coaches can be integrated into the MRT.
The Dalian train will only run for an initial trial period up to the start of the rail replacement in November 2019.
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.
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