MRT-3 bent on making 3 Dalian train sets operational this September

The management of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is bent on inserting into the system at least three sets of trains acquired from China-based CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd. this month.

“We are doing our best to make sure na ma-insert namin ang Dalian, hopefully this month,” MRT-3 director Mike Capati said in a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.

The mass rail transit system is now waiting for the go signal from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Japanese maintenance provider Sumitomo.

“Meron ng communication doon but I’m not privy to disclose because it is a top management issue pero kami po ay ready once na sabihan kami,” Capati said.

“We have already accepted three train sets. Given a few days’ notice, we can readily insert it … at saka ang ating provider Sumitomo agrees on whatever conditions they have.”

In 2016, Dalian delivered 48 trains that were purchased by the Aquino administration but were never put to use because the trains were incompatible with MRT system and “overweight.”

“Malaking tulong 'pag nailabas namin ang Dalian,” Capati said.

The train sets can serve at least 10,000 to 20,000 passengers a day.

“We are working on that, ‘di ko lang kayo mabigyan ng konkretong detalye pa kasi I’m still waiting for the go-signal,” Capati noted. —VDS, GMA News