President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fast-track the activation and operation of the remaining 45 out of 48 Dalian trains?procured over a decade ago? for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) line along EDSA.

In a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum in San Juan City on Wednesday, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the President was disappointed over the long period that the Dalian trains have remained unused, despite their potential to ease commuter woes.

Dizon said the first three Dalian trains were successfully deployed and have been operational for the past three weeks.

Dizon said that six more Dalian trains are set to be operational within the year. The remaining 39 units are slated for activation next year.

Named after the city in China where they were manufactured, the Dalian trains were left unused due to technical compatibility issues with local rail systems. Presidential News Desk