Three China-made light rail trains recently began service in the Philippines, and several officials from the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications, including Deputy Minister Bucayan, rode the trains to mark the occasion, CRRC Dalian Co., Ltd. announced on Tuesday. 

This is the first order that China signed with the Philippines for urban railway trains. The export contract, which was signed in June 2014, was for a total of 540 million yuan, according to China News Service.

The three trains will be used for line 3 of Manila’s Light Rail. They have a maximum operating speed of 65 kilometers per hour. They will increase transport capacity along the line by 60 percent and greatly ease overcrowding in the city. Each train is 31 meters long, 2.5 meters wide and 3.65 meters high, according to CRRC Dalian Co., Ltd.

Manila is very close to the equator, which means extremely high temperatures. Considering the heat, high humidity and salinity in the air, the train cars were specially designed for use in high temperatures and high humidity, which will help make the trains more reliable and comfortable for passengers.