By Kevin Manalo | ABS-CBN News | September 3, 2015

MANILA - After months of deliberation, meetings and approval by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) management, the new train set prototype from the Chinese company CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. Ltd., has begun its assembly today.

 The prototype of three train coaches arrived from the port area and was delivered to the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) depot in trailer trucks.

After the assembly, it will be transferred to the MRT-Line 3 depot in North EDSA and will undergo a series of tests until the end of the year.

DOTC Spokesperson Atty. Michael Sagcal said this is beneficial for both the passengers and the management of MRT as it will make riding the MRT, notorious for frequent breakdowns, more comfortable.

After it passes the series of tests conducted by the MRT engineers, 48 train coaches from CNR Dalian Locomotive will be added to the current 73 available train coaches.

This means that at peak hours on day and night there will be 30 train sets compared to the 20 train sets currently running.

Records show there are 540,000 people who use the MRT Line 3 at peak hours daily but after the approval of the new train sets, the transit system would be able to cater to 900,000 people.

The DOTC hopes that the prototype will be up and ready for testing in the days to come. Overall, DOTC officials are optimistic that this move will improve the transport system in Metro Manila.