China-made MRT 3 train coach prototype finally here in August

The prototype unit of the new coaches for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 will be in Manila by the second week of August, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The highly anticipated arrival of the first of 48 brand-new coaches for the MRT 3 is seen between August 10 to 14 should the prototype unit depart Dalian, China for Manila on July 29.

As of press time, a DOTC Project Implementation team is in China checking on the prototype train car manufactured by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company (Dalian), which won the contract to supply 48 brand new light rail vehicles to MRT 3.

According to the DOTC, the Project Implementation team is currently going through a checklist with Dalian Locomotive to ensure that the prototype train is compliant with the technical components and specifications of the train coaches.

During their last visit last June, the team approved Dalian Locomotive's choice of better traction motors which incorporate alternating current (AC) technology for the 48 brand new train cars that will be delivered starting in the first quarter of 2016. This will result in lesser maintenance requirements in the future.

"This brings us another step closer to upgrading and modernizing the MRT-3, and improving our services to the public. After the prototype's arrival in the middle of next month, it will be assembled by the manufacturer's personnel, and we will start static testing by September," said DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

After assembly and static testing of the prototype unit's components such as the doors, seats, poles, and hand straps, dynamic testing will be conducted in mid-November, after the bogeys arrive from Germany.

While the production of new MRT 3 trains are under way, the procurement of 120 brand new light rail vehicles for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 will start soon.

The procurement of new trains is part of the LRT 1 Cavite Extension Project, which will extend the rail line from Baclaran in Parañaque City to Niog town in Bacoor, Cavite. The 120 LRVs will be assembled into four-car train sets, adding 30 train sets to the LRT 1 fleet.

The government has set aside billion for this project, which will be bid out later this year, according to the DOTC.

As for LRT 2, the rollout of the contactless Automated Fare Collection System has been expanded to cover Betty Go-Belmonte Station. The Beep Cards will be activated in nine other LRT 2 stations in the next two weeks.