MANILA – The Philippine National Railways (PNR) on Monday launched a special coach service as an alternative for motorists as heavy traffic is expected due to road projects. Each "premier train" can accommodate 120 people per trip and will feature air-conditioned train sets, reclining seats, and a lounge area. A WiFi Internet service is also in the pipeline. The special fare will range from P60 to P90. The service aims to provide a "reliable" and "faster" way to bring commuters from the south into Metro Manila, PNR general manager Joseph Allan Dilay said. The initial phase of the special coach service will run 4 times per day, with the following schedules: Tutuban to Sta. Rosa - 5:47 a.m. (departure); 7:33 a.m. (arrival) Sta. Rosa to Tutuban - 8:00 a.m. (departure); 9:46 a.m. (arrival) Tutuban to Sta. Rosa - 4:17 p.m. (departure); 6:03 p.m. (arrival) Sta. Rosa to Tutuban - 6:08 p.m.(departure); 7:54 p.m. (arrival) To get to the Buendia station in Makati, it takes 31 minutes from the Tutuban station and one hour and fifteen minutes from the Sta. Rosa station. PNR said it will evaluate whether or not to increase the number of trips depending on turnout of riders. PNR added that it will extend its commuter rail’s normal operating hours from the current 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule to a longer period of 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The railway’s commuter line currently serves an average of 65,000 passengers on 70 trips per day.
