A Dalian train set within the MRT-3 depot. (File photo)
MANILA -- The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Thursday said there have been no issues so far with the recent initial deployment of one Dalian train early this week.
Engr. Michael Capati, MRT-3 director for operations, said feedback based on the performance of the train and commuters were both positive.
“Wala pong issues na lumalabas. At dun naman sa interview namin sa mga mananakay ay satisfied naman po sila sa pagsakay at pag-launch natin ng (There have been no issues. And in our interviews with our passengers, they are satisfied with the launch of) Dalian trains,” Capati said in a radio interview over DZMM.
The 48 Dalian train cars—three of which are in operation—were initially found to be over the weight limit.
Original specification by the government required each Dalian train car to be 46,000 kilograms at most, but those delivered weighed over 49,000 kilograms or three tons overweight.
However, Capati said based on their testing and assessment of a third party, nine provisionally-accepted Dalian train cars passed fully-loaded requirements of the MRT-3.
“Nung nag-conduct kami ng another check, lumabas po yan sa assessment ng TÜV Rheinland, 'yung pong weight issue natin na based on fully loaded requirement, na-comply naman po siya (We conducted another check, it came out on the assessment of TÜV Rheinland, the weight issue based on fully loaded requirement, it actually complied),” Capati said.
“'Yung 49 tons nila, kaya po ng ating riles, kaya ng ating structure. Within the limit pa rin po (The 49-ton weight, it can be handled by our rails, our structure. It’s still within the limit),” Capati said.
The signaling systems of the Dalian trains have all been certified by a third-party as well, the official said.
“Certified na po ng Bombardier lahat. 'Yung OEM signaling supplier po natin ng Bombardier already certified our signaling system po dun sa Dalian (All were certified by Bombardier. Our OEM signaling supplier Bombardier already certified our signaling system in Dalian trains),” Capati said.
He emphasized that Dalian made all the adjustments to make their trains work with the MRT-3 and not the other way around at no additional cost to the government.
“Dalian po ang maga-adjust sa MRT requirements natin—sinunod naman po (It is Dalian who will adjust to the requirement of the MRT—this was complied with) during our validation and commissioning. I'm only talking about the nine provisionally accepted,” Capati said.
In 2014, the Aquino administration signed a PHP3.8-billion contract with a Chinese firm to deliver the 48 Dalian trains meant to serve within the MRT-3 line.
The trains arrived in 2015 with an initial down payment of PHP600 million but have only been recently used due to concerns with the weight of the trains and compatibility with the MRT-3’s maintenance facilities and signaling system. (PNA)
