The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has proudly announced the completion of the MRT-3 major rehabilitation project. All that’s left now is an inauguration ceremony, according to the local agency.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said that the MRT-3 rehabilitation project undertaken by Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) was completed two months in advance. He proudly added that “We can inaugurate anytime now.”
The project to restore MRT-3 to its former glory started in April 2019. DOTr acquired the services of Sumitomo-MHI, the original designer, builder, and maintenance provider of the MRT-3 during its first 12 years of operations.
MRT-3 now has 16 more operational trains with an increased speed of 35 kph. The train interval is now only 3 and a half minutes (5 minutes faster than the previous 9-minute interval). All these improvements have expanded the passenger capacity from 200,000 to 600,000 daily.
Last year, DOTr announced that all 72 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) or wagons of the MRT-3 are now equipped with new air conditioning units (ACUs). This means that the newly refurbished trains can cope with the summer heat.
As for the Common Station, Tugade said its construction is scheduled to be finished by the end of March. This station will become operational once its electromechanical system is installed.
