President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fast-track the activation and operation of the remaining 45 out of 48 Dalian trains—procured over a decade ago— for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) line along EDSA.

In a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum in San Juan City on Wednesday, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the President was disappointed over the long period that the Dalian trains have remained unused, despite their potential to ease commuter woes.

“‘Yun ang utos ng Pangulo, dalian na natin ‘yung Dalian,” Dizon said.

“Masyado nang matagal ‘yung sampung taon, na binayaran ‘yan ng partially ng gobyerno. Dapat ‘yan ang pangako niyan magamit para lalong bumilis ang pagbiyahe sa MRT para hindi na masyadong naghihintay ng matagal ‘yung ating mga kababayan,” Dizon said, echoing the President’s sentiments.

Dizon said the first three Dalian trains were successfully deployed and have been operational for the past three weeks.

He said many passengers enjoyed looking at the Dalian trains for their unique appearance.

“Pagka nakikita nila ‘yung Dalian, talagang pini-picture-an at bini-video nila kasi nga nakakatuwa kasi bago siya. Iba ang kulay, matingkad ‘yung kulay,” Dizon said.

“Kaya ang utos ng ating Pangulo ay dapat magamit na natin lahat once and for all,” Dizon stressed.

Dizon said that six more Dalian trains are set to be operational within the year. The remaining 39 units are slated for activation next year.

“So ang commitment natin ngayong taong ito, madagdagan pa natin ng anim pa kasi ‘yun ang sa kasalukuyang inaayos at tini-test. Pero ang pipilitin natin, next year, ‘yung 39 na matitirang tren ay lahat magagamit na natin next year,” Dizon said.

Named after the city in China where they were manufactured, the Dalian trains were left unused due to technical compatibility issues with local rail systems. | PND