Some of idled Dalian train coaches now operational —Marcos

Some of the Dalian train coaches, which have remained idle for quite some time, are already operational, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said Wednesday. 

“Nakabili tayo ng 48 na karwahe para sa tren. Mula ng 2014, hindi pa ‘to – nakatengga lang ito, hindi po nagamit,” Marcos said during the launch of the 50% discount for train fares of senior citizens and persons with disabilities. 

(We procured 48 coaches for this train line. Since 2014, they have remained idle.)

“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,” he added. 

(What we did was we ensured that whatever needs to be done will be done so that the Dalian trains can be used.) 

In 2023, it was reported that the 48 sets of Dalian trains procured by the Philippine government to expand the operations of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) remained unused due to unresolved incompatibility issues with the rail system. 

The procurement of Dalian trains was done to increase the capacity of the said train line to 800,000 passengers per day. 

This also seeks the decongestion of the rail system. 

According to the Presidential Communications Office, more train cars will undergo some measures in the coming months as part of a broader rehabilitation program.

Marcos stressed that bringing the Dalian trains into service would improve the daily commute of Filipinos, noting that the funds used to procure will not be put to waste.

“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,'' Marcos said.

(I'm glad. Our funds were not wasted. Our commuters will experience comfort in their daily commute, especially our senior citizens, PWDs, and students.) 

This initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda to modernize the country’s railway system and promote efficient and sustainable public transport, the PCO said. —KG, GMA Integrated News