PNR’s new trains from Indonesia start operations

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Train commuters can now experience smoother and more convenient rides with the inaugural run today, 28 January 2021, of the Philippine National Railway’s (PNR) three new Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives (DHL) with 15 passenger coaches that were built in Indonesia.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, PNR General Manager Junn Magno, other transport officials, representatives from the Republic of Indonesia Embassy in Manila, and representatives from PT Industri Kereta Api (PT-INKA) the firm that made the train sets, graced the ceremonial class assignment and inaugural run from the PNR Dela Rosa Station in Makati to the Manila Tutuban Station.

The new train sets will serve commuters on the PNR's Metro Commuter Line which runs from the Tutuban Station in Manila to Los Baños in Laguna. With the addition of the new train sets, the PNR Metro Commuter Line now targets to serve a total of 140,000 passengers daily doubling its existing capacity from 48,000 to 60,000 per day.

Secretary Tugade said the inaugural run of the new PNR train sets assures the riding public of safe, convenient, and comfortable travels.

“Nakaumang na ‘yung tren, darating na ‘yung tren, sasakay na tayo ng tren upang sa ganoon ay maramdaman natin ang katanungan ng mga tao noong tayo ay nagsimula: ‘Kailan mababago ang PNR?’ Ngayon po, patuloy na binabago natin ang PNR. ‘Kailan darating ang bagong tren?’ Ngayon po, dumating na ang bagong tren. At ‘Kailan naman natin masasakyan ang bagong tren?’ Ngayon po, pasisinayaan at sasakyan natin ang mga bagong tren,” Secretary Tugade said.

The Transportation Chief also commended the men and women of the PNR for their relentless work in transforming the rail network and for developing the country’s railway system. Secretary Tugade specifically noted that PNR stations have increased from 25 to the present 34.

“For you to have an improved rail movement, you must have the facility, and the rails. You must have the trains and the coaches, and you must have the people. The three are being done by Junn Magno and the PNR.”

Secretary Tugade also thanked PT INKA and the Indonesian Embassy in Manila for their support in realizing the development projects of the country, especially in the rail sector.

For his part, PNR GM Junn Magno pointed out that the last class assignment for trains was done way back in 2008. However, under the Duterte administration, there have already been four class assignments, along with the implementation of other railway projects.

“This administration has implemented more railway projects, has assigned more classes, has introduced new innovations, has introduced new generations of rolling stocks classes than any other administrations combined. And that is through the leadership of Secretary Tugade. This is his legacy,” GM Magno said.

The new train sets are part of the PNR Management Re-fleeting Strategy which involves the delivery of train sets composed of 37 cars and three locomotives procured in 2018.

The re-fleeting project aims to increase the PNR's capacity to accommodate 1,330 passengers per set in a single trip.

The train sets have a maximum design speed of 120 kilometers per hour, with high clearance for flooded tracks. Each train set features an interior access to the engine room, the first of its kind for the PNR fleet. The train sets are also equipped with 36,000 kilocalories per hour of air conditioning in each coach that is suitable for tropical countries like the Philippines.