DOTr to test Dalian trains on MRT-3

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will test Dalian trains in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) soon, officials said Tuesday during the Senate subcommittee on finance's deliberation of the agency's 176-billion proposed budget for 2019.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade told senators that sets of Dalian train would be inserted into the MRT-3 system for a provisional revenue service as part of their efforts in putting the idle trains to use.

Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan said the deployment of the unused trains came following the independent audit of TUV Rheiland, which found "issues" that have to be addressed by its Chinese manufacturer, Dalian Company Limited.

Batan said the simulation will be conducted outside revenue hours, which is from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Later on, the Dalian trains will be deployed for revenue service.

He assured that the testing will not disrupt the operations of the MRT-3 as it would follow existing operating policies of the rail system.

Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Junn Magno said that the testing will check the safety of the Chinese-supplied trains.

Magno told reporters that they are planning to deploy the Dalian trains in October, although he clarified that officials have yet to meet on the matter on Thursday.

The provisional revenue service of the Dalian trains will be conducted for 150 hours, but can be shortened depending on further recommendations.

Two to three sets of Dalian train will be deployed for provisional revenue service, he said.