PNR to lose 80% of monthly revenue due to restrictions under GCQ

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is expected to lose 80 percent of its monthly revenue as it will only be allowed to accommodate a limited number of passengers per trip under the general community quarantine (GCQ).

“Eighty percent po ang mawawalang revenue mula sa operation sa June 1. Eighty percent ng usual namin na revenue na umaabot po ng mga P25 million buwan-buwan (We will lose 80 percent of our revenue beginning June 1. Eighty percent of our usual revenue that reaches around P25 million every month),” PNR assistant general manager Ces Lauta said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo on Friday.

According to Lauta, the capacity for a three-car formation of PNR trains will be reduced from 750 passengers to only 143, which represents a mere 19% of its normal capacity.

Despite this projected loss, PNR will not impose a fare hike for its services, according to Lauta.

READ: LTFRB: No fare increase on all PUVs once ECQ is lifted

She said physical distancing will also be strictly implemented in PNR stations and trains.

“Meron na pong distribution ng passengers sa bawat istasyon kung Ilan ang papasakayin. ‘Pag may bumaba po, ang bakanteng space ay ma-a-allocate po sa susunod na istasyon (There is already a distribution of passengers in place in every station. When someone disembarks, the vacant space will be allocated for the next station),” she explained.

Sanitation posts will also be set-up in PNR stations, according to Lauta.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said Thursday that all train operations will resume partial operations on June 1 as Metro Manila transitions from modified enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine (GCQ).

DOTr earlier said there will be no fare increases once operations of public transportation resume under eased quarantine measures.

Aside from Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Albay, and Davao City will also be placed under GCQ beginning June 1 while the rest of the country will be under modified GCQ.

KGA