DOTr deploys first batch of Dalian trains on MRT3

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) over the weekend deployed on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) the first batch of light rail vehicles (LRVs) acquired from CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd.

In a statement, the DOTr said it deployed on Saturday, October 27, the first Dalian train set from China which included three LRVs. This comes years after the trains were delivered to the Philippines.

"Out of 48 LRVs, three LRVS equivalent to one train set have been deployed for passenger service after assessment and validation," the DOTr said.

The then Department of Communication and Transportation (DOTC) bought the 48 LRVs from Dalian in 2014, with the initial batch of delivery set in 2015.

The trains were left idle since their delivery, however, as the DOTr said these were not compatible with the MRT3 system since they were "overweight."

Former Transportation Secretary Emilio Joseph "Jun" Abaya in 2016 refuted such claims, saying that the LRVs are "100-percent compatible" with the MRT system.

Earlier this year, the DOTr ordered an audit by German company TUV Rheinland on the trains to review if these were safe for public use.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in July that the results of the three-month audit revealed that the trains could be used without compromising passenger safety and security.

The DOTr, however, has yet to reveal the comprehensive report on the audit made on the trains.

It has since claimed that there were some tweaks needed to be made on the trains for them to be safe and incorporated in the MRT3 system.

"Among the concerns that needed to be addressed were issues on weight, signaling, and maintenance equipment compatibility," the DOTr said.

The department noted, however, that the remaining LRVs will also be integrated into the MRT system.

"The other LRVs are undergoing the assessment and validation procedures and will be gradually deployed once cleared," it said. —JonVik Cabuenas/KG, GMA News