The Philippines launches the very first Pinoy-made electric train on Saturday through the efforts of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). According to DOST Sec. Mario Montejo, during the inauguration, the incoming DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña.
Aside from the two officials of the DOST, Philippine National Railway (PNR) Chairman Manuel Torres was also present as the three officials launched the very first Filipino-made hybrid electric train. The inauguration was held at the PNR Tutuban Station.
For the past three years the DOST have been developing the prototype of the hybrid electric train, which it says is environment friendly and energy efficient as it uses both diesel and electricity.
The DOST announced that the hybrid train is still in a commissioning stage, commuters may still have to wait three to six months before they can avail of the new Pinoy-made trains.
The PNR for their part supported the project of the DOST by providing facilities to test the trains, they will examine and test closely the durability, safety and efficiency of the said Pinoy-Made train.
Based upon the initial testing of the DOST, the hybrid train ran for one kilometer at a speed of 30 km/hour. During the testing stage, the train will run from PNR’s Tutuban to Calamba stations.
Once the prototypes passes several tests, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will request for additional funding to make more hybrid trains, the report added.
If the prototype passes several tests, DOST will request for additional funding to make more hybrid trains, the report added. The PNR also added that the hybrid train can be a big help to the country’s railway transportation system as it can increase the number of trains to cope with growing number of passengers.
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