MRT completes overhaul of its rolling stock of 72 train cars

Commuters of the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) can expect a safer and more comfortable ride aboard MRT as it has accomplished the repair and upgrade of its 72 train cars. In a statement released in February 9, 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it has completed the restoration of the 23-year old fleet of light rail vehicles.

The overhaul project has increased the availability of train cars from 18 to 21 train sets at peak hours from the previous number of 10 to 15 train sets. The trains also get a boost of speed as it can now travel 60 kph from 30 kph, this in turn has cut travel time to about half an hour from 1 hour to 15 minutes previously. 

According to the Department of Transportation, all 72 cars had to be individually disassembled for a thorough assessment. Maintenance, inspection for wear as well as the installation of new parts had to be done before reassembly. 

Each of the 72 trains gets a fresh set of components which includes, new gangway bellows and articulation, along with a new Public Address system. Other components like windshields, passenger hand straps, interior and exterior lights also got upgraded. To protect the train from elements and the usual rigors of daily use, the exterior and interior surfaces of the train cars got a splash of fresh paint.

To ensure that the trains are reliable and safe to operate, vital working parts of the trains were also upgraded, each train car got a new set of bogie parts which include bogie frames, wheels and axles, traction motors, and gear boxes. In addition, new electrical parts were installed on each train as well. 

Overhauling started in 2019 when Sumitomo-MHI-TESP was reinstated as maintenance provider for the MRT-3. The Japanese consortium was responsible for designing and constructing the MRT-3 rail system. The MRT-3 system was maintained by the consortium from 2000 when MRT-3 first started operating until contract expiration in 2012. The last time these trains got some TLC was back in 2010 also under Sumitomo-MHI-TESP.

Commuting in the Philippines is not something that everyone looks forward to in their day, but, with the recent overhaul of the train cars at MRT-3, there is comfort in knowing that the trains we ride in for our day-to-day commute are safe.