MRT-3 Deploys 4-Car Dalian Train, To Release More In September

According to the DOTr, the expanded train set passed all safety checks before being cleared for operation. With the additional car, the train’s capacity increases by 500 passengers, helping ease queues at congested stations. 

The Dalian train is currently running during peak hours, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

More Dalian Trains to Come

Transportation officials said more Dalian trains are set to follow. DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that 6 additional sets are expected to be operational by this month or by September, boosting MRT-3’s passenger capacity in time for the holiday rush. 

Once all Dalian trains are fully deployed, the MRT-3’s daily capacity could rise from 500,000 to as much as 800,000 passengers.

In his State of the Nation Address in July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted efforts to revive the long-idle Dalian trains, which were purchased in 2014 but remained unused for nearly a decade due to compatibility and maintenance issues. 

“Halos singkwentang dagdag na karwahe ang natengga nang sampung taon. Sayang ang pera. Sayang ang isang dekada. Pero ngayon, naayos na natin. Ang tatlong bagon ay nagagamit na ngayon. Asahan ninyo, ang ilan sa apatnapu’t lima ay magagamit na rin natin bago matapos ang taong ito; at ang iba ay sa susunod na taon naman,” Marcos said.

No Price Hikes

Despite the upgrades and upcoming rollouts, officials assured commuters that no fare increase is planned. DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said improving service remains the priority.

“Hangga’t hindi nag-iimprove significantly ang serbisyo, wala tayong karapatang magtaas ng presyo,” he said.

The MRT-3 management aims to gradually deploy all 48 China-made Dalian train sets by 2026, following system rehabilitation and technical adjustments.

References

Balaoing, B. (n.d.). MRT-3 deploys first 4-car Dalian train. ABS_CBN. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/26/mrt-3-deploys-firts-4-car-dalian-train-1015

GMA News. (n.d.). DOTr: 4-car Dalian train deployed on MRT-3 for the first time. GMA News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/956989/dotr-4-car-dalian-train-deployed-in-mrt-3-for-the-first-time/story/

Taguines, A. (2025, August 7). 6 more Dalian trains to be deployed this month or by September. ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/7/6-more-dalian-trains-to-be-deployed-this-month-or-by-september-1956