MRT-3 DALIAN TRAIN. A Dalian train at an MRT-3 station. The MRT-3 management on Wednesday (Sept. 9, 2020) said the inclusion of three Dalian trains in its operational trains brings its maximum number of fielded trains to 19, increasing the MRT-3's passenger capacity and shortening the wait time between trains. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The number of trains running along the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) at any given time has increased to a maximum of 19 train sets, effectively increasing the rail service’s passenger capacity while decreasing the wait time between trains.
In a media bulletin on Wednesday, the MRT-3 said this comes after three Dalian train sets were provisionally accepted and have passed the required Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Sustainability Validation Test for the safety of its passengers.
The three new Dalian train sets are in addition to the MRT-3’s 16 operational CKD train sets, resulting in the increased maximum number of fielded trains.
It noted that CCRC Dalian Co. accepted the task to modify and adjust the Dalian trains to be operational without any cost to the Philippine government, adding that the agreement also included the technical evaluation and audit of the trains by German firm TUV Rheinland.
In a message, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said the MRT-3 has been increasing its number of fielded trains since June of this year.
No unloading incidents since June
Meanwhile, the MRT-3 said it has recorded no unloading incidents for the past three months — since the declaration of general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila on June 1.
It said rail replacement works have continued during the pandemic, noting that 59,250 out of 65,892 (89.92 percent) linear meters of rails have been completed as of September 8, 2020.
“The MRT-3 targets to complete its rail replacement works by December this year, several months ahead of its February 2021 target date,” the MRT-3 said.
Other rehabilitation works on the MRT-3 have also been undertaken by Japanese contractor Sumitomo-MHI, their responsibilities include the overhaul of its light rail vehicles, installation of new air-conditioning units, rehabilitation of escalators and elevators, and rail replacement for the entire MRT-3 line. (PNA)
