MANDALUYONG, June 24—The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced on Tuesday that prototypes of 48 new light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3) is on schedule for delivery in mid-August.
“As reported by the joint DOTC and MRT-3 team, the prototype is on-schedule for delivery in mid-August. The dynamic testing phase will start in November, which is when the prototype’s bogies will arrive,” DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya said.
The new manufactured LRVs just recently returned from an inspection last week, while monthly deliveries will begin in January 2016.
“In the meantime, we will assemble the prototype and check its components ahead of the dynamic testing. The monthly delivery of three (3) train cars should start in late January 2016,” Abaya added.
The project implementation team indicates that the prototype appears to be of good and reliable quality. Better traction motors to incorporate alternating current (AC) technology was used instead of direct current (DC) system presently being used, which means less maintenance needs in the future.
“What is important to us is that the train cars, once delivered, will be safe and reliable. So we prefer to be thorough with the manufacture, assembly, checking, and testing of the prototype,” Abaya said.
DOTC’s working timeline for MRT-3 include: arrival of prototype on mid-August of this year; completion of assembly of prototype (End of August 2015); checking or static testing of prototype including dimension, materials, and components such as lights, doors, handrails, seats, etc. (September to October 2015); arrival of bogies (mid-November 2015); dynamic testing and necessary adjustments (end of November to end of December 2015) and the acceptance or approval, as well as, the start of monthly delivery (January 2016). (DOTC)
