After more than a decade in storage, the Dalian trains purchased from China in 2014 have finally entered service, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Wednesday, marking a realization of the commitment to improve commuter services, especially for students and persons with disabilities.
President Marcos led the first batch of passengers on the inaugural trip of the newly Dalian-serviced train at the Santolan–Anapolis MRT station, expressing satisfaction over the long-overdue progress.
“Nakabili po tayo sa China ng Dalian train. Tawag Dalian dahil ginawa po sa lungsod ng Dalian doon sa China,” the President recalled. “‘Yun lamang, noong ininspeksyon, hindi daw kaya na paandarin at patakbuhin at gamitin itong mga tren na ito, itong mga karwahe na ito.”
The President was assisted by Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez, and several other transport officials.
The Dalian trains—named after the city in China where they were manufactured—were initially left unused due to technical compatibility issues with local rail systems.
For years, the train cars sat unused, drawing criticism and concerns over wasted government funds. However, President Marcos noted that under his administration, efforts were made to revisit the issue and put the train sets to use.
“Kaya ang ginawa natin ay binalikan natin itong mga ito at tiniyak natin na kung anuman ang kailangang gawin para magamit ang Dalian train na ito ay gawin na natin,” the President said. “Kaya itong tren na nakikita natin sa harap natin ito, naayos na ito, puwede nang gamitin.”
The restored unit, composed of three operational cars, is now ready for deployment. More train cars will undergo the same process in the coming months as part of a broader rehabilitation program.
“Sampung taon nakaparada ito eh, hindi nagamit. Ngunit ngayon ay nagagamit na natin at iyan ang ite-testing natin ngayong araw,” President Marcos added.
The President emphasized that bringing the Dalian trains into service not only utilizes previously idle assets but also improves the daily commute of Filipinos.
“Kaya nakakatuwa naman. Hindi naman nasayang ang ating pondo. Kaya maging maginhawa ang pagbiyahe ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga senior citizen, lalo na ang PWD, at saka ‘yung mga estudyante natin,” President Marcos said.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda to modernize the country’s railway system and promote efficient, inclusive, and sustainable public transport. | PND
