Developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the first-ever Filipino-made train will begin operations under the Philippine National Railways on March 1.
Servicing passengers from Alabang to Tutuban and vice versa, the hybrid electric train (HET) can accommodate 220 passengers and will run at 50 km per hour.
In an attempt to be more eco-friendly, the train will run on both diesel and lithium batteries so that it emits less carbon and will be more energy-efficient.
Developed by engineers from an attached agency of the DOST, engineers from the Metals Industry Research and Development Center first introduced the HET to the public in 2016.
They later re-introduced the train to the public last July 2018 when they offered limited free rides from PNR Dela Rosa station to PNR EDSA station and vice versa. DOST said that it hopes that the HET will help ease traffic congestion and make commuting easier for the pubic.
Source: Explore by Traveloka