PNR to get 50 coaches from Japan

MANILA, Philippines – State-run Philippine National Railways (PNR) will have 50 more train cars in the coming months as part of a government donation agreement with the East Japan Railway Co. (JR-East).

PNR General Manager Junio Ragragio said the refurbished train coaches are scheduled to arrive from May to July, resulting in improved services such as more trips in Metro Manila and less waiting time for passengers.

Ragrario said the donation agreement was made after his trip to Japan the other week.

He said the units look new since the coaches are still in good condition and could be used for another 15 years. A brand new coach would cost as much as $2 million or P87 million each, he added.

Ragragio said that currently, trips have 30-minute intervals during peak hours and one-hour intervals during non-peak periods. With the arrival of additional coaches, intervals between trips would be cut by half during peak and non-peak hours.

“We would also use some of the additional train cars in line with the revival of the daily train service from Metro Manila to the Bicol province,” Ragrario said.

He also announced that the rehabilitation of the railroad tracks going to Bicol is almost complete. “We are targeting that our trains will be up and running by June this year.”

The old non-air conditioned and dilapidated trains that run once a day to and from Tutuban to Biñan will also be replaced with better and air-conditioned train coaches before the third quarter of this year, he said.

“Traders and workers from the south will largely benefit from this. We also plan to make additional trips to Biñan,” said Ragragio.

He added that this development will open more business opportunities to small and medium entrepreneurs living in and around Laguna and Batangas because of faster deliveries of goods in Metro Manila.

This would also lower prices of some commodity products for Metro Manila consumers and increase profits for merchants because the PNR charges are lower compared to other public transportation vehicles, Ragragio said. –Sandy Araneta (The Philippine Star)