PNR completes fleet modernization

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has completed its fleet modernization with the delivery of the last batch of train sets from Indonesia.

PNR yesterday received its newest train sets consisting of 15 passenger coaches and three locomotives, which are part of its re-fleeting strategy.

The delivery completes the 37 cars and three locomotive procured in 2018.

The re-fleeting project will increase PNR capacity to carry passengers with capacity of 1,250 per set per trip, with a maximum design speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

The first batch of diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains manufactured by PT Industri Kereta Api were delivered last year and started operations in December.

Last February, two train sets from Indonesia again arrived in the country and have already been serving commuters before PNR operations were stopped due to the enhanced community quarantine.

The new train sets form part of PNR’s 2018 train procurement that aims to transform and improve the services of the country’s rail network.

The trains are expected to be out for commercial service after undergoing reliability, availability, maintainability and safety validation.

Once all the procured new train sets are operational, the PNR targets to serve a total of 140,000 passengers per day, which is more than double the current capacity of 48,000 to 60,000 passengers daily.