More new trains to come for PNR
Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Junn Magno recently signed a contract with CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co. Ltd. Vice President Wang Qiaolin for the procurement of standard gauge Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) as part of the PNR’s revitalization program.
The contract signing was witnessed by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, together with Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan along with CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive General Manager Fu Chengjun.
Magno hailed the importance of the event saying, “This is a very momentous occasion for us because this is where we will start the railway service and transform the Philippine National Railways. This train will represent the first trip for the South Long Haul Project or what we call the PNR Bicol, and it would cut down signficantly 80% of the travel time between Manila and Bicol region.”
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade lauded the invaluable efforts of the PNR, under the leadership of Magno, in bringing back the glory of country’s railways.
“The retrogation that has happened in the past becomes a progressive effort to recapture the glory that was of PNR. And that is why, Magno and his team, are trying to revive the glorious days of PNR by putting more stations, increasing it as we start from 17 to 35, improve the railway tracks, and would like, not only to put the railway tracks but put new trains and new coaches so that the realization of that glorious moments of Manila and Bicol will come to form,” Tugade said.
The new trains, which will be delivered by June 2021, will be used for the PNR South Long Haul (PNR Bicol) project, which will service the route from Calamba, Laguna to Naga City, Camarines Sur initially, and eventually to Legazpi City, Albay.