Overloaded PNR train stalls in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Following the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) mishap last week, operations of the Metro South Commuter Train service of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) was disrupted during rush hour Monday, August 18, after one of its trains stalled in Manila.

The train stalled around 6:50 am while approaching the San Andres station due to low air pressure, PNR spokesman Paul de Quiros said in a telephone interview.

The train lost air pressure due to overcapacity, he added.

Another train was dispatched by PNR to accommodate passengers of the stalled train.

The stalled train resumed operations at around 7:30 am.

De Quiros said the Metro South Commuter train service running from Tutuban to Cabuyao in Laguna ferries between 60,000 and 70,000 passengers per day.

He explained that PNR has increased the number of trips to around 74 per day from only 50 trips per day two years ago due to the growing number of passengers who want to avoid worsening traffic along metro roads.

“The train system is still the fastest form of transportation considering the traffic situation,” De Quiros noted.

The south line extension service includes two trips daily on the Tutuban – Cabuyao – Tutuban route leaving Sta. Rosa at 4:36 am and the Tutuban station at 7:07 pm.

The service stretches 53 kilometers from Tutuban in Manila to Mamatid in Cabuyao, Laguna. It has 25 stations and passengers are charged between P10 ($0.23*) and P40 ($0.92) each.

Alternative railway transport

Meanwhile, PNR has earmarked P40 million ($915,434.15) to tap a consultant to inspect and assess the safety of the railway track and bridge network of the 478-km Bicol Express train service.

The project involves inspection and thorough safety assessment of the tracks from Tutuban in Manila to Legaspi City in Albay with route length of 478 km, and the 431 bridges.

PNR is looking at reviving the Bicol Express train service in September or almost two years after its operations was suspended due to a derailment incident in Sariaya, Quezon.

Apart from the revival of the Bicol train service, Dilay said PNR would continue with the rehabilitation of its non-operational railway line to the north, as well as the development of new railway routes within and outside of Luzon.

The passage of Republic Act No. 10638 by the Senate and the House of Representative last June 16 extended the corporate life of PNR by another 50 years to June 20, 2064. – Rappler.com

PNR image from Wikipedia