balitang gud news sa pinas-PGMA, De Castro in PNR inaugural run(bagong open na train para iwas trapik)

Tuesday, 14 July 2009
PGMA, De Castro in PNR inaugural run

Motorists, pedestrians and even shanty dwellers alongside the tracks were wide eyed today as a spankingly new commuter train chugged along the entire stretch from Tutuban in Manila to Buendia in Makati, not knowing that two of the country’s most important people—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro – were aboard.

The event was the inauguration of the Philippine National Railways’ new trains, actually long overdue but which bore fruition under the rehabilitation efforts of the Arroyo administration.

Before boarding, the President and Vice President listened delightfully at the power point presentation of PNR Chairman Michael Defensor on the drastic transformation of the railways, for so long a major mode of transportation between Manila and Bicol. They then unveiled the new PNR logo, which will replace the 1938 vintage logo.

The PNR commuter train will start commercial run tomorrow (Wednesday, July 15) from Tutuban to Buendia in Makati passing through Espana, Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa, Paco, Sta. Ana and San Andres.

For P16, a commuter can now expect a traffic-free journey from Tutuban and reach Buendia in less than 30 minutes.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the PNR will start commercial operations by tomorrow even if the ticketing system has not been finished. “We might use the traditional method of payment, by tokens,” Mendoza said.

By September this year, the route will be extended to Alabang and eventually to the Bicol region, Defensor said.

Mendoza said the DOTC is now finalizing a uniform ticketing system for the PNR, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 and Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2.

Defensor said the Phase 1 of the PNR rehabilitation project entailed renovating the PNR Building in Tutuban, rehabilitating the trucks, trains and stations and clearing the railroad tracks of squatter shanties (which took very long to undertake). Phase 1 was funded by an official development assistance (ODA) loan from the Korean Export Import Bank, he added.

The second phase, or the North Rail, has been approved by the board of the National Economic and Development Authority. Within 60 days, Mendoza said, the north rail will be started.

Mendoza said the entire stretch of the rail system will be fenced off to protect both the tracks and the riders/commuters.

“We will also install the necessary security measures—including CCTV (close circuit TV cameras) and put in security guards to protect commuters,” Mendoza said. (PND)

wow...ang galing naman,thank you for sharing.