FILE PHOTO: A Dalian train on a test run
MANILA, Philippines —A video recently went viral on social media. It shows Dalian trains properly running during a test run.
It drew positive comments, and some netizens even asked why the said trains are not being used.
In response, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said they could not just use the Dalian trains without proper assessment.
Batan explained that they still have to properly examine the trains’ signaling system, compatibility, and power supply to ensure that these are safe for public use.
“We are talking about half a million passengers every day. Hindi po basta-basta dapat nagdedesisyon (It should not be hastily decided upon),” said the transportation undersecretary.
The independent audit team, TUV Rheinland continues to conduct a series of tests on the Dalian trains.
It is expected to release the result of its examination on March 10.
The government will then use the results as basis on whether or not to use said trains.
It has been two years since these coaches were delivered to the Philippines from China.
However, passengers have yet to benefit from the said trains considering that Metro Rail Transit (MRT) operations frequently experience glitches.
Meanwhile, the DOTr said, operations of MRT did not experience disruptions from February 22 to 28.
“Siguro sinuswerte tayo. Nandiyan yung spareparts na kailangan. Na-adressan kaagad. Walang mga taong nagbubukas ng pinto. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade said.
(We are getting lucky. The spare parts are already here. We have already addressed the concerns. There are no more people forcibly opening the train doors.)
For now, only seven to nine MRT trains are running daily. — Joan Nano| UNTV News & Rescue
The post Independent audit team to release result of study on Dalian trains next week appeared first on UNTV News.