Commuters of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) may soon have additional train rides as the Department of Transportation (DoTr)is set to decide on 20 August if it would use the controversial 48 Dalian trains purchased from a Chinese firm under the Aquino administration for P3.8 billion.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said his agency would issue its final decision after the independent audit by TUV Rheinland recommended the Dalian trains could still be used if they were refitted to comply with the measurements and weight requirement as spelled out under the terms of reference set by the DoTr.

“We will be elevating this (issue) in the high-level meeting if we were not able to settle this. The high-level meeting is intended to ensure smooth coordination between the Philippines and China on the implementation of government projects,” Tugade said in a radio interview Wednesday.

However, the transportation chief said everything would depend on the result of the high-level meeting between the governments of the Philippines and China.

Tugade reiterated that the government should not shoulder remedies to be done on the Dalian trains.

“An internal auditor has conducted an audit on the condition of the Dalian trains. The result of the audit is these can be used, but there are deficiencies in parts or spare parts that can be fixed. It was also stated that we must not put into jeopardy the safety of the riding public. This should be corrected without expense from the government,” he said.

Dalian has expressed their commitment to implement adjustments on the trains, he added.

In addition, the official said he must address the issue about the Dalian trains as the DoTr prepares for the entry of a maintenance provider that will conduct repairs on the train coaches and other facilities of the MRT.

The maintenance may last for 43 months which might lead to the reduction in the number of MRT trains.