THE Philippine National Railways (PNR) has extended its line from Manila to Laguna province by adding five more stations after Calamba City, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The new stations are Pansol, Masili, Los Baños, College which is also in Los Baños town, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

PNR extended its rail services to Los Baños, Laguna on Dec. 1.

A new set of trains from Japan has been added to the PNR’s fleet of operational train cars, DoTr said.

Included in the main line is one Kogane train set, which consists of three coaches, it said.

PNR passengers can enjoy reclining and rotating seats, stowable tables, leg rests, and a comfort room inside the new train set from Japan, which can accommodate 81 people.

The fare from Tutuban in Manila to IRRI station in Los Baños is P150, it said.

“This is just the beginning,” Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said in a statement, adding that more rails would be added in other parts of the country.

“With the holiday season in full effect, we might increase trip frequency the moment ridership improves,” PNR General Manager Junn B. Magno said.

“Our engineering department has certified the line to be passable, and our Operations and Rolling Stock departments made the necessary preparation for the extension of the service.”

The DoTr said two more new train sets for the PNR are expected to arrive from Indonesia next week.

The train sets will be included in the PNR line under the Tutuban to FTI and Malabon to FTI routes, it said.

The national railway ordered 37 rail cars from Indonesia. On top of the two train sets consisting of three rail cars each that are due to arrive next week, 31 more coaches will be delivered from through February 2020, the agency said.

These will form seven train sets of four- and five-car configurations, it added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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