Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Third Dalian train set for MRT-3 to undergo test run

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to conduct a test run on the third set of Dalian trains for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), an official said yesterday.

Goddes Hope Libiran, DOTr communications director, said in a statement that “commissioning of the third train set is ongoing.”

She said commissioning involves “1,000 kilometers of test runs during off-peak hours.” The train set would then undergo 150 hours of test runs in the MRT-3’s main line for “validation testing.”

Once the tests are done, the Philippine National Railways (PNR), which conducts the test runs for the Dalian trains, would evaluate the performance of the train set.

The first Dalian train was deployed in October last year and the second in December.

The then Department of Transportation and Communication purchased 48 coaches produced by China’s Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. for P3.759 billion in 2014.

They sat unused until DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade forged a deal with Dalian to fix the trains at no cost to the government.

The rehabilitation of the entire rail line is expected to start this month.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/01/08/1883112/third-dalian-train-set-mrt-3-undergo-test-run

MRT-3 rehab to start soon

By Emmie V. Abadilla

The P18-billion, 43-month rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line (MRT-3) is scheduled to begin anytime between late this month to early next month.

First of all, the Japanese consortium of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Corp. will rehabilitate MRT-3’s fleet composed of 72 light rail vehicles (LRVs).

At the same time, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) committed to keep 15 trains operating – the daily average.

Gradually, they will increase the number of operating trains during the 26-month overhaul so as not to inconvenience MRT-3’s 360,000 daily passengers.

By the 26th month, MRT-3 would have a maximum of 20 trains running at 60 km per hour.

The rehabilitation will also cover periodic maintenance, including the restoration and overhaul of MRT-3’s power supply, overhead catenary system, signaling system, tracks, closed-circuit television camera and public address systems, as well as its elevators and escalators.

The Japanese consortium undertaking the rehabilitation will also be the one to decide on how to maintain 42 of 48 Dalian LRVs still sitting unused at the MRT-3 depot, according to DOTr officials.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/01/07/mrt-3-rehab-to-start-soon/