The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) continued to offer its hybrid electric train as the main rail vehicle for the Philippine National Railways (PNR).
Robert Dizon, executive director of the DOST Metals Industry Research and Development Center that built the train, said the hybrid electric train was ready for use within a year after a P20-million upgrade had been completed.
After examining the DOST train, engineering firm Systra Philippines Inc. (SPI) said the vehicle had “very good potential” and required only minor tweaking to make it ready for use.
Among the areas where improvements were needed, according to SPI, were shock absorption, the braking system and lighting.
SPI said because of the conditions of PNR’s rails, the DOST train could safely travel at a speed of only 40 kph.
Launched in June last year, the P120-million train was meant as DOST’s contribution to plans to alleviate Metro Manila’s worsening road congestion.