San Miguel Corporation (SMC) today ( (Sept. 1) announced that the first batch of trains for its MRT-7 project will arrive from South Korea next week, with the entire railway slated to be finished in 2022.
The trains, which consist of six cars or two trainsets procured from Hyundai ROTEM, have cleared inspections and factory acceptance testing, with the country’s national rail manufacturer, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), serving as SMC’s adviser.
Each trainset is 65.45 meters long--or well over the entire length of an Olympic-size swimming pool, which is 50 meters.
“The timely arrival of these brand new, high-quality trains from South Korea, one of the world’s best train and rail systems builders, is a welcome development," according to SMC president Ramon S. Ang.
"When many feel uncertain because of the pandemic, this shows that nation-building, continues. Improving our infrastructure, boosting our economic growth prospects, investing in our country’s future, doesn’t stop," he stressed.
More trains are set to arrive in the following months, up to next year, until all 108 cars or 36 trainsets that SMC acquired, are delivered.
Despite continuing pandemic restrictions and pending right-of-way (ROW) issues, the project itself is now at over 54% completion, with installation of bored piles, girders, and other foundational works on a significant portion of the project, already completed.
“Right now, construction activities on the guideway and the stations are ongoing. Electronic and mechanical works also continues," Ang elaborated.
The MRT-7 project is in many ways more difficult than the recently-competed Skyway Stage 3--which in itself is an engineering feat, he noted.
This is because MRT-7 has added complexities such as electric power systems, computer and communications systems, signaling systems, and automatic fare systems, among others.
“There are many causes of delay, from necessary pandemic restrictions, to ROW issues, but as with all SMC projects, we apply 110% effort to all the areas we can work on, so as to minimize delays," Ang pointed out.
"The most important thing is we don’t stop, we keep on progressing."
Earlier, SMC reported that manufacturing of other important equipment needed for the MRT-7 which were all sourced from various countries, have also been completed.
Various other railway operations equipment such those needed for automatic fare systems, communication systems, signaling systems, power supply systems, third rail, track works systems and rolling stock maintenance equipment—used for the maintenance of trains--are also set to be delivered from various countries throughout the year.
The first test run of the project is set for December 2022.