1st set of Dalian trains to regularly run starting this week —MRT3 management

The first set of brand new Dalian trains will regularly run any time this week, according to the management of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) on Wednesday.

"Within this week ang target namin na palabasin 'yan. Actually nasa table ko na nga 'yung mga papeles. We're just reviewing the results and the same time 'yung tinatawag naming conditional acceptance," said Mike Capati, MRT3 director for operations, in an interview on Unang Balita.

"Then once naayos na namin 'yan, anytime this week baka mapatakbo na namin 'yan."

According to Capati, at least 15 trains will be deployed to run during weekdays. Dalian trains are expected to beef up that number.

"During weekdays we are targeting 15. Kagabi nga nag-deploy ako ng 16 because pag medyo madami talagang tao, nagpapadagdag ako. That will be on top of Dalian. Kung halimbawa may 15 tayo plus Dalian mag-16 'yan," Capati said.

Capati also assured the public that the management has not seen any problem with the Dalian trains.

"Wala kaming nakikita kasi unang-una brand new 'yan. Pangalawa, we are looking at consistency of travel niya, malamig of course... bago 'yung aircon niyan," Capati said.

The Chinese-made Dalian trains have previously remained idle because of some compatibility issues raised by the Department of Transportation.

Each Dalian train set has a 1,182-passenger capacity. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News