Starting Tuesday (October 15), a Dalian train set equivalent to three train coaches will hit the tracks of MRT-3 mainline during evening off-peak hours, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

This, after MRT-3’s Japanese maintenance provider Sumitomo Corporation-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – TES Philippines signed Monday a consent for the limited deployment of one Dalian train set.

The consent indicates that the train set will be deployed for an initial trial period lasting up to the beginning of its rail replacement works in November 2019.

Discussions are ongoing between officials from the DOTr MRT-3, Sumitomo Corporation, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries regarding the technical considerations, especially when rail replacement works ramp up in the next few months.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also given its concurrence to the Dalian Trains Agreement with Sumitomo.

Currently, three Dalian train sets (nine train coaches) have already completed the necessary commissioning and validation tests, including the 150-hour run.

Each Dalian train set has a three-car configuration that can carry 1,050 passengers per trip. (PNA)