PNR adds new trains with reclining seats, toilets

Glimpses of the new train from Japan. (Photo from the Faceboook account of DOTr)

MANILA, Philippines — Want to experience reclining and rotating seats, leg rests, stowable tables, and toilets while traveling via train?

You no longer need to go to Japan because you can have these amenities right here through Philippine National Railways (PNR).

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday announced that the PNR started to roll out a new set of trains from Japan on Dec. 1.

Each of the new trains, which are Kogane sets, consists of three coaches and can accommodate 81 passengers, the DOTr said in a statement.

Aside from the new train set, PNR has also extended its services to Los Baños, Laguna with the addition of five new stations farther south past the Calamba station.

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

The DOTr said the fare from Tutuban station to Los Baños (IRRI) is P150.

PNR General Manager Junn Magno assured that tests had been conducted to ensure the smooth-running operation of the extended services. He added that more trips would be added over time.

“With the holiday season in full effect, we might increase trip frequency the moment ridership improves. 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,” Magno said in a statement.

Apart from the Kogane train, the DOTr said two new train sets, each with three rail cars, is set 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.

The PNR ordered a total of 37 rail cars from Indonesia. Aside from the two new rain sets, 31 more coaches are set to be delivered from December 2019 to February 2020. The DOTr said these will form seven train sets of four- and five-car configurations.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade commended the efforts of PNR to modernize its train sets and spread its services outside of Metro Manila.

“I am thankful to PNR for their continuous effort to improve and extend their service by adding new train cars that will ultimately provide comfort to our commuting public,” Tugade said in Filipino.

/atm