PNR buys new trains from Indonesia

FILE: Philippine National Railways (PNR) (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has acquired two train sets from Indonesia as part of efforts to further expand the railway system in the country.

The signing of the contract for the purchase of new trains amounting to PHP483.5 million from Indonesian state-owned company PT Industri Kureta Api (PT INKA) was witnessed by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, and other PNR, PT INKA executives and officials from the Indonesian embassy following a meeting of the PNR boardroom in Manila on Monday (January 22).

“I hope this project will grow and blossom into other projects in our desire to expand the country railways system from what it is today — 77 kilometers. We hope that during the term of President Duterte, we can finish 1,900 kilometers railway system,” Tugade said in a statement.

The purchase of the new train sets would be the first in 40 years that PNR organically procured its trains since most are donated cars or part of national loan packages.

“It’s been almost 40 years that PNR organically procured its own train sets that is not donated nor part of a loan package. This is a reflection of Sec. Tugade’s leadership in the railways sector,” PNR General Manager Junn Magno said.

The Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DMU) are expected to be delivered in the country on the third quarter of 2019 for commissioning and testing.

The DMU project is funded from the 2012 DOTr-General Appropriations Act (GAA) funds which was downloaded to PNR and was approved by its Board headed by Chairman Roberto Lastimoso.

It has also undergone public bidding in compliance with Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement and Reform Act. (PNA)