Dalian train rolls into use

Train rolled off on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 on Tuesday night.

CONTROVERSIAL no more, a Dalian train gets placed on tracks. Analy Labor

From 8:30 to 10:30 every evening until 31 October, commuters will get a glimpse of one of the controversial Dalian trains purchased during the past administration and were found incompatible with the rail system.

It is now being used. The train rolled off on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Tuesday night.

The inaugural two-hour deployment of the single train unit will last until the end of this month as work on rail replacement activities for the MRT-3 are slated to begin in November.

Discussions on technical considerations continue, as MRT-3 officials balance the requirements of rehabilitating the degraded railway system while expanding capacity, a DoTr statement said.

The transport department said a consent for limited deployment of one Dalian train set was signed by Sumitomo Corp-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-TES Philippines.

“Currently, three Dalian train sets (nine train coaches) have already completed the necessary commissioning and validation tests including the 150-hour run,” the DoTr said.

Each set of a Dalian train can carry 1,050 passengers per trip.

Previously, MRT-3 director Mike Capati said the state-owned train operator is bent on inserting into the system at least three sets of trains acquired from China-based CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd.

“We are doing our best to make sure the Dalian trains are used, hopefully this month,” Capati said.

In January, the MRT management conducted a test run on the third set of Dalian trains. The look of the trains’ interior is not far from the old MRT trains, except for the new set of seats and handrails.

Sumitomo is conducting studies on how best to infuse the Dalian trains to the MRT-3 system.

DoTr Assistant Secretary for Communications Goddes Hope Libiran said Sumitomo will study the initial deployment and is not hesitant on using the trains to expand the capacity of MRT-3.

“There’s no hesitation. Sumitomo just needs to study how to operate the Dalian trains,” Libiran said.

“Capacity is not just additional trains but is also about faster speed and shorter headways, which require us to rehabilitate the tracks and fix and upgrade the signaling system,” she said.

The DoTr said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also agreed to the limited operations of the Dalian train.

Discussions are ongoing among officials of MRT-3, Sumitomo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries regarding the technical considerations, especially when rail replacement works ramp up in the next few months.