6 more Dalian train sets to be operational in next few weeks: DOTr

MANILA -- Six more Dalian train sets are undergoing final testing and are expected to be operational in the next few weeks, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday.

The remaining 39 out of the 48 Dalian train sets bought a decade ago are also expected to be operational in the next few months until next year.

"Ngayong mga darating na linggo magdaragdag tayo ng anim, final testing na lang. Siguro in the next few weeks, magdadagdag tayo ng namin, so magiging siyam ang Dalian train na gumagana out of the 48," Dizon told DZMM.

Dizon said the train sets need to undergo safety checks and adjustments. These China-made train sets were not used previously due to incompatibility with the current MRT-3 system.

Last week, Dizon and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inaugural operations of the first 3 Dalian train sets after they were modified to run along the MRT-3 tracks.

Dalian trains back on MRT-3 tracks after idling for nearly 10 years: Marcos

Once all 48 train sets are operational, the MRT-3 will be able to double its daily capacity to up to 700,000 to 800,000 from the current 400,000 to 500,000.