THE government took delivery Wednesday from Indonesia six new rail cars for the Philippine National Railways (PNR).
In a statement, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said: “The first six DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) rail cars will form two train sets for deployment on PNR’s FTI-Tutuban and FTI-Malabon routes starting Dec. 16.”
The two train sets will add 18 to 20 trips per day to those routes, according to the DoTr.
The department said the six new coaches are part of the 37 rail cars and three locomotives acquired by PNR from Indonesian firm PT Inka.
“Kapag dumating na ang lahat ng mga bagon, inaasahang aabot sa 140,000 pasahero na ang maseserbisyuhan ng PNR at mas dadami pa ang biyahe dahil magiging 20 minutes na ang headway tuwing peak hours (when all the rail cars arrive, we hope the PNR can service 140,000 passengers and offer more trips, bringing headway down to 20 minutes during peak hours),“ the transportation department said.
“Bukod pa rito, may paparating din na mga air-conditioning units (ACUs) na i-install naman sa mga existing railcar ng PNR (We are also expecting ACUs for installation on existing rail cars),” it added.
The arrival ceremony for the new coaches held in Manila Wednesday was led by Indonesian Ambassador Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, and PNR General Manager Junn B. Magno.
The DoTr also announced last week a PNR line extension to further into Laguna province by adding five more stations after Calamba City.
The new stations are Pansol, Masili, Los Baños, College in Los Baños, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). A new set of trains from Japan was also added.
The Japanese trains feature reclining and rotating seats, stowable tables, leg rests, and toilets, with capacity of 81 people.
“This is just the beginning,” Mr. Tugade said in a statement, adding that more rail lines will be added in other parts of the country.
Mr. Magno said: “With the holiday season in full swing, we might increase trip frequency the moment ridership improves,” Mr. Magno said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
