By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Aug. 28 (PNA) — The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) on Friday said that it expects assembly of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) train car prototype to start next week.
DOTC spokesman Miguel Arthur Sagcal told reporters in a press conference that while the prototype had already arrived the port of Manila last Aug. 14, it cannot be considered “officially delivered” until it is assembled.
“It is not officially delivered yet because the requirement is after the prototype (reaches the country), it should also be assembled,” Sagcal said.
He said the assembly will be done by engineers of the prototype’s manufacturer, Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
To recall, the prototype last month went through inspection by the DOTC with Dalian to ensure that the prototype train is compliant with the technical components and specifications of the train coaches.
After it is assembled, DOTC said that the unit’s components such as the doors, seats, poles, and hand straps will also undergo testing in mid-November.
This prototype is only the first of the 48 brand new train cars that will be delivered starting in the first quarter of 2016.
Sagcal earlier said that once all 48 train cars are delivered, the three-train car sets will be made four-train car sets—the maximum length allowed by platforms.
The new train cars are expected to lessen the rail system’s maintenance requirements in the future. (PNA)