DoTr eyes quick MRT-3 train clearance

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is urging Sumitomo Corp. — the maintenance provider for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) — to expedite safety checks and testing of unused Dalian light rail vehicles (LRVs) to alleviate congestion on the railway.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Thursday that the Dalian trains are compatible with the MRT-3 tracks but require clearance from Sumitomo, the Japanese firm that has handled MRT-3 maintenance since 2019.

“I’ve spoken to them about this several times already and I gave them a deadline to give me a report and a straight answer: What do we need to make these trains run?” Dizon said, referring to Sumitomo.

He also cited that the 48 Dalian trains, originally purchased from China’s CRRC Dalian, must undergo comprehensive safety checks and meet all operational requirements before deployment.

“Sumitomo Corp. will meticulously go through their processes and make sure that these trains, if usable, will be used safely for the benefit of our commuters,” Dizon said.

Once cleared, the Dalian LRVs, each capable of carrying up to 1,200 passengers, are expected to significantly increase the MRT-3’s capacity and potentially resolve its persistent congestion problems.