The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the planned deployment of three three-car Dalian train sets on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) beginning this month is expected to ease long queues for commuters during the holiday rush.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said on Monday that the immediate rollout will help shorten station lines, especially during peak hours. 

Each three-car set can carry up to 1,156 commuters per trip, and all three Dalian train sets are expected to begin commercial operations on Christmas Day.

“(We are) fast-tracking the deployment of the Dalian trains (because) this is really a big deal for commuters for its large capacity,” Lopez said.

The DOTr said testing and commissioning of the two remaining three-car Dalian train sets will begin this December as preparations continue for their return to commercial service. 

Likewise, the agency has ordered MRT-3 to enforce strict, ongoing safety checks and fully implement all utilization procedures to ensure passenger safety.