Sample Page

The Manila Railroad Company, which preceded PNR, operated various local trains between Manila and its neighboring provinces. Trains from Tutuban will lead to Naic in Cavite, Pagsanjan in Laguna, Montalban in Rizal, and Bulacan during the 1920s.^[6]

The Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (Meralco) also operated electrified Tranvia services in what is now Metro Manila.^[7] The 100 km (62 mi) tram system reached Malabon to the north, Pasig to the east, and Libertad (now part of Pasay) to the south, making it one of the longest in Asia in 1924.^[8] Both systems were heavily damaged during the Battle of Manila in World War II.^[8]

The Arroyo administration attempted to modernize the PNR system by rebuilding the lines and purchasing new rolling stock. PNR purchased 6 brand new diesel multiple units from South Korea and became its first order in 35 years.^[16]

A complete rehabilitation of the line was initiated as the Northrail–Southrail Linkage. The project was financed by the Export–Import Bank of Korea and the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund^[17] and was completed in 2010.^[18] The government was also interested in reviving commuter rail services to the north via the Northrail project. However, the line stopped construction in 2011 and only pillars were built.^[19] PNR also acquired second-hand multiple units from Japan as stopgap measures to its train fleet, ending the Metrotren era.^[20] However, services were further suspended to Santa Rosa in 2014,^[21] and to Alabang in 2015 due to safety issues and accidents on the line.^[22] The North Main Line has also been closed.^[23]

After nearly 20 years, PNR reopened the Metro North Commuter line, and launched the Caloocan–Dela Rosa shuttle line, on August 1, 2018.^[24][25] This would be followed by a steady expansion and reintroduction of rail services to the north, currently reaching to Malabon, which has not seen rail activity for nearly 20 years. In 2017, the Department of Science and Technology announced its first Filipino-designed train and started trial services between Alabang and Calamba in 2018.^[26] Services to Los Baños, Laguna via IRRI station were reopened in December 2019.^[27]

In 2018, PNR acquired three diesel-hydraulic locomotives, 15 coaches, and six sets of diesel multiple units from Indonesian rolling stock manufacturer Industri Kereta Api (INKA). The INKA trainsets and 5 of the Hyundai Rotem DMUs comprise a 14-train fleet that will replace the aging PNR 900 class as well as the second-hand rolling stock, as these trainsets were planned to be transferred to the Bicol Region for the Bicol Commuter services after 2020.^[28]

On February 16, 2023, DOTr announced the suspension of operations of the PNR system in Metro Manila for five years, along with the Metro Commuter services, to give way for the construction of the North–South Commuter Railway. The closures, initially expected to start by May 2023,^[29] began on July 2, 2023, with the suspension of the Alabang–Calamba route.^[30] The rest of the railway line temporarily closed on Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024, with the last day of operations on the day before. The closure would fast-track the construction of the new railway line by eight months and save ₱15.18 billion in costs.^[31] Current trainsets were transferred to operating services in Southern Luzon. The present line will also be rebuilt during and after the construction of the North–South Commuter Railway as it will serve as an alternate transport mode to the NSCR.^[32]