MANILA, July 22 (PNA) — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is set to resume partial operations from Tutuban Station in Manila to Alabang Station in Muntinlupa City on Thursday, the PNR management said on Wednesday.
This comes after the train system’s third-party consultant, TÜV Rheinland, finally gave management its go signal in the form of a safety certification.
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya will be at the Buendia Station in Makati City at 8:30 a.m. and ride until the EDSA Station. PNR General Manager Joseph Allan Dilay and DOTC Undersecretary Edwin Lopez will join him.
The PNR was initially set to resume operations last June 15. However, the consultant did not issue the safety certification at that time.
Trial runs were also conducted several times last month.
The rail system underwent repairs following the derailment of two of its coaches last April 29 in Magallanes, Makati.
Anti-theft screws were also placed to prevent parts of rails from being stolen.
Meanwhile, plans to implement a fare hike in the PNR have surfaced. However, officials have said that the proposal has yet to undergo public consultation.
Dilay said in an earlier interview that the long overdue fare hike will help reduce the gap between what is collected and what is spent to service the railway passengers. (PNA)