MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Railways (PNR) on Wednesday signed a contract with a Chinese company to supply trains for its long-haul service to the Bicol region.
The PNR signed the procurement deal with CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, which won the bidding in October for the South Long Haul project, also known as PNR Bicol.
Under the contract, the PNR will purchase three train sets of three-car formations from CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive which will be delivered in June 2021.
These trainsets will be deployed for long haul service from Calamba in Laguna to Naga City in Camarines Sur, and eventually to Legazpi City in Albay.
“This train will represent the first trip for the South Long Haul Project or what we call the PNR Bicol and it would cut down significantly 80 percent of the travel time between Manila and the Bicol region,” Magno said in a statement.
The Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains will feature business class, first-class, and second class accommodations. The trains can accommodate 168 passengers with 36 seats for business class, 52 seats for first class, and 80 seats for second class.
According to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, this will be the first time the country will have trains sets with three types of accommodation.
The signing of the contract for the procurement of the standard gauge DMU trains was led by PNR General Manager Junn Magno and CRRC Locomotive Vice President Wang Qiaolin.
Witnessing the signing ceremony were Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan and CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive General Manager Fu Chengjun.
The post Chinese firm inks deal to deliver new trains for PNR Bicol project appeared first on UNTV News.