San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is set to take delivery of new trains for the Metro Rail Transit line 7 (MRT-7) by next week, even as civil works continue to meet the project’s target completion by 2022.
SMC said the trains, which consist of six cars or two trainsets procured from South Korea’s Hyundai ROTEM, have cleared inspections and factory acceptance testing, with the country’s national rail manufacturer Korea Railroad Corp. serving as SMC’s adviser.
Ramon Ang, SMC president, said more trains are set to arrive in the following months up to next year, until all 108 cars or 36 trainsets the company acquired are delivered.
Despite continuing pandemic restrictions and pending right-of-way issues, the project itself is now at over 54 percent completion, with installation of bored piles, girders and other foundational works on a significant portion of the project already completed, SMC said.
“Right now, construction activities on the guideway and the stations are ongoing. Electronic and mechanical works also continue. As we said before, the MRT-7 project is in many ways more difficult and complex than even our recently-completed Skyway Stage 3 — which in itself is an engineering feat. This is because MRT-7 has added complexities such as electric power systems, computer and communications systems, signaling systems, and automatic fare systems, among others,” Ang said.
Earlier, SMC reported that manufacturing of other important equipment needed for the MRT-7 which were all sourced from various countries have also been completed.
Various other railway operations equipment such those needed for automatic fare systems, communication systems, signaling systems, power supply systems, third rail, track works systems and rolling stock maintenance equipment — used for the maintenance of trains — are also set to be delivered from various countries throughout the year.
MRT-7’s first test run is set for December 2022, according to SMC.
Once finished, the MRT-7 project will make daily commute from Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan faster and easier. It will link up with MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit line 1, providing greater access and seamless travel.
The 22-kilometer rail line, which stretches across North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte with 14 stations, will trim the travel time to only 35 minutes from the current two to three hours. – Myla Iglesias
