Overweight Dalian trains may be used for MRT-3, Tugade says

CLARK, Pampanga—The trains acquired from Chinese firm CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd.—idle for two years since their delivery—may be used for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Tuesday.

Tugade said the the results of the audit conducted by Germany's TUV Rheinland found that the 48 Dalian trains can be used "without compromising passenger safety and security."

He said Dalian trains should be modified to match what had been stipulated in the contract.

"Ang sabi ng audit, may kakulangan at meron dapat isingit in relation to the terms of reference," Tugade said.

"Ang sabi po ng Dalian pupunuan ang kakulangan, reremedyohan ang kailangan remedyohan, 'yung spare parts na kailangan ay dadalin at no cost to government," he added.

Among the issues that need to be addressed is the weight of the trains, which were heavier than what was stipulated in the contract.

"The best case scenario magagamit ang Dalian kasi it will not compromise safety and security," Tugade said.

Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Timothy John Batan said the government was looking to have an agreement with CRRC Dalian on whether the trains could be used on August 20.

"Ang target na matapos at magkasundo ukol sa bagay na 'yan ay August 20 dahil may government to government high level bilateral meeting with China," Batan said.

The 48 Dalian trains were delivered in 2016 but have since been unused due to issues of incompatibility and being "overweight."

The DOTr earlier said that the trains exceeded the weight specified under the contract of 46.4 tons each. They weighed 49.7 tons each.

Tugade said there was a need to use the additional trains as the start of Sumitomo's maintenance and rehabilitation works in the MRT3 some time in August would reduce the number of trains running to from the current average of 15 to 16 a day to just 12. —NB, GMA News