PNR is buying trains from Indonesia

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) signed on Monday a P485.3-million purchase agreement for two train sets from Indonesian state-owned PT. Industri Kereta Api (PT INKA).

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the contract was signed by PNR general manager Junn Magno and PT INKA president and director Budi Noviantro, the department said in a statement.

The Philippines is acquiring two Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DMU) train sets to be financed under the 2015 DOTr-GAA funds which were downloaded to the PNR.

“It’s been almost 40 years that PNR organically procured its own train sets that is not donated nor part of a loan package,” Magno said.

The new trains are expected to arrive in the Philippines in the third quarter of the year, and will have to undergo testing and commissioning before serving commercial operations.

“I hope this project will grow and blossom into other projects in our desire to expand the country’s railways system from what it is today—77 kilometers,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News