In recent months, the LRT and MRT have seen their fair share of developments and the arrival of new trains. But you also shouldn’t forget about the Philippine National Railways and its North-South Railway Project, as the first of thirteen train sets for PNR Clark Phase 1 has just arrived at the Port of Manila. Once cleared by customs, it will be transferred to the PNR depot in Valenzuela next month.

The rolling stock is built by the Japan Transport Engineering Company and Sumitomo Corporation. It underwent acceptance tests last October in Japan before being shipped over to the Philippines. The second train will arrive by the second quarter of next year.

These new trains will service around 300,000 passengers daily once operational. Travel time between Tutuban, Manila, and Malolos, Bulacan, will be cut down to 35 minutes, compared to the usual 1.5 hours it would take via car. As always, it’s great to see progress in these projects to make public transportation better for the average Filipino.