After extensive rehabilitations and overhauls, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) has reopened its Tutuban-Los Baños route in time for the holiday season. The route is using a tourist train earlier donated by Japan.
According to general manager Junn Magno, the train can accommodate 81 passengers and features reclining and rotating seats, stowable tables, leg rests, and a toilet. Prior to this, the train was used as the PNR’s inspection train.
For P150, passengers can take a trip from Manila to Los Baños in under two hours. Due to the route’s limited operations, there are only two trips available: 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Japanese tourist train is the only one running the route’s soft opening.
“We might increase trip frequency the moment ridership improves,” Magno says. “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.”
The reopening of the Tutuban-Los Baños route is part of PNR’s efforts to extend its operations to include long-haul trips in Southern Luzon. To achieve this, the agency is currently working on reopening and rehabilitating previously closed stations.
To accommodate more passengers, the PNR is also expecting two new train sets from Indonesia to arrive next week. These trains will be used for the Tutuban-FTI (Taguig City) and Malabon-FTI routes.
Writer: ANGELA PATRICIA SUACILLO
