PNR to launch special coach service to ease MM traffic

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Railways will launch on Mar. 3 a special coach service in a bid to ease the traffic snarls in Metro Manila caused by the construction of the Skyway extension  and Ninoy Aquino International Airport expressway projects, the Department of Transportation and Communications said on Wednesday.

The DOTC said the PNR will launch the special coach service as an alternative to commuters who would be affected by the traffic escalation in the areas where road works and infrastructure projects are underway.

The  special coach service will make use of air-conditioned train sets with features to ensure passenger convenience such as fixed seating, on-board comfort rooms, reclining seats, and a lounge section, which can accommodate 120 people per trip.

"This is one of the DOTC’s first efforts toward easing the present traffic situation in Manila, Makati, Pasay, and other affected areas especially in the southern part of the metropolis.  Instead of taking private vehicles, motorists will now have a more efficient alternative. 

"We are also working on other solutions which we will be ready to implement as our infrastructure projects are rolled out later this year to 2015," DOTC spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal said.

For his part, PNR general manager Joseph Allan Dilay said that special coach service is part of the agency's program to "revive the old glory of PNR."

"It will also enable riders from the south to take a reliable and faster means of transport into the heart of Metro Manila," Dilay said.

In its initial phase, the special coach service will run four times a day, with the following schedules:

Tutuban to Sta. Rosa (time of departure-5:47am, time of arrival-7:33am)

Sta. Rosa to Tutuban (time of departure-8 am, time of arrival-9:46am)

Tutuban to Sta. Rosa (time of departure-4:17pm, time of arrival-6:03pm)

Sta. Rosa to Tutuban (time of departure-6:08pm, time of arrival-7:54pm)

Depending on ridership turnout, the PNR will evaluate whether it will be feasible to increase the number of trips further in order to serve more passengers.  The special fare will range from P60 to P90.

To get to the Buendia station in Makati, it takes 31 minutes from the Tutuban station and one hour and 15 minutes from the Sta. Rosa station.

The PNR will also extend its commuter rail’s normal operating hours from the current 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., to a longer period of 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 

Currently, the railway’s commuter line serves an average of 65,000 passengers on 70 trips a day.