China-made MRT trains to go through tests

The Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) shall implement the new distance-base fare scheme effective January 4, 2015 as displayed on Saturday (January 3, 2015) at the MRT station in Pasay City. (PNA photo by Gil S. Calinga)

MANILA – The assembly of the prototype trains for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3) has started, ahead of the government’s plans of taking deliveries of new car trains by early 2016.

Created by Chinese train maker CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co., the prototype was delivered to the train depot of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 in Pasay City on Thursday where the Dalian engineers will assemble it. Afterwards, the prototype will be transferred to the MRT 3, according to transportation department spokesperson Michael Sagcal.

However, DOTC Secretary Joseph Abaya said that they prototype will still need to go several tests in order to ensure the commuters’ safety.

“The testing is up to December [this year],” said Abaya. He said that some of Dalian’s engineers were delayed because of difficulty in securing visas.

According to Abaya, once the government accepted the final design the Dalian will start to deliver the 48 train coaches, which are part of a P3.75 billion contract with the Chinese firm.

The contract also stated that Dalian should deliver three train coaches every month. These new train cars are expected to help ease the congestion at MRT 3, who carries more than half a million commuters every day.