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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos orders deployment of all unused Dalian trains

Marcos orders deployment of all unused Dalian trains

Published Jul 30, 2025 08:24 pm
President Marcos has ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expedite the activation of the remaining Dalian trains, which have been idle for a decade now.
Unused Dalian trains finally hit the MRT-3 tracks on July 16, 2025. (Santi San Juan)
Unused Dalian trains finally hit the MRT-3 tracks on July 16, 2025. (Santi San Juan)
Marcos wants the remaining 45 out of the 28 Dalian trains to start operating for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 as soon as possible.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon bared during a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum that the President was disappointed that the Dalian trains have remained unused despite their potential to ease commuter woes.
“Yun ang utos ng Pangulo, dalian na natin yung Dalian (That's the order of the President, let's fast-track the use of 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 (Ten years is already too long, and that was partially paid for by the government. That should have been the promise—to make use of it to make the MRT travel faster so that our fellow citizens no longer have to wait for such a long time)," Dizon said.
"Kaya ang utos ng ating Pangulo ay dapat magamit na natin lahat once and for all (The President directed to use all trains once and for all,” the DOTr chief further said.
It can be recalled that three Dalian trains finally became operational on July 16 this year.
According to Dizon, six more Dalian trains are set to be operational within the year, while the remaining 39 units are slated for activation next year.
The Dalian trains were purchased by the government in 2014. However, when they were inspected, it showed that the trains could not be operated or used.
The trains remained unused due to compatibility issues with the MRT-3 rail line.
CCRC Dalian Co. has since modified and adjusted the trains to address compatibility issues at no cost to the Philippine government, with a technical evaluation and audit conducted by the German firm TUV Rheinland.
Once fully deployed, the 48 Dalian trains — each capable of carrying up to 1,200 passengers — are expected to significantly decongest MRT-3, which currently serves an average of 380,000 passengers daily.
The new trains will reduce train intervals at the MRT-3 from four minutes to 2.5 minutes.

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President Marcos Dalian trains MRT-3 DOTr
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