PNR signed a contract worth ₱485,312,600.00 (
US$9.7 million) with the
Indonesian firm
PT INKA on January 22, 2018, for the purchase of two sets of 3-car DMUs as part of the Reliability and Availability Program. The project was funded from the budget of the then-Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) as allocated in the 2015 General Appropriations Act. In 2018, PNR received a budget through the 2018 General Appropriations Act for the purchase of trains.[7]
Design & Features
The trains were manufactured by the Indonesian firm
Industri Kereta Api, also known as INKA. The 8000 and
8100 DMUs and the
8300 class coaches are all given the designation K3 during their test runs in Indonesia.
The livery consists of a white body with a black design in the windows and blue stripes underneath it. The
driver cabs, on the other hand, have a black and orange design with the PNR logo underneath the
windshield.
Interior
The trains are the first in the entire PNR system to feature an
LED passenger information system display in each train car. Seats are colored orange and longitudinal-type.
The design capacity of a three-car trainset is 750 passengers.[2]
From December 16, 2019, to January 14, 2020, PNR offered free rides on these trainsets between
Tutuban and
FTI and vice versa, but with 20-passenger limit per station only.[8] Initially, the trainsets were planned to reach
Alabang station, but was delayed due to track obstruction and security problems.[9] A trial run to the Alabang station performed by an 8000 class train was conducted on March 1, 2020,[10] followed by passenger trial runs later that month.[11][12]
From December 2019 to March 2020, the trains serviced the
Metro South Commuter line from Tutuban to FTI stations and vice versa, and since June 1, 2020, the trains now serve operations for the Metro North Commuter (MNC) line from
Governor Pascual to
Bicutan stations and vice versa.[13] While running from Governor Pascual to Bicutan, the LED screen displays the train going to
FTI instead of Bicutan. Occasionally, the trains service the Metro South Commuter line when the
Hyundai Rotem DMUs occupy the MNC services.[14]
As of April 2024, 8001 is serving the Calamba to Lucena Interprovincial Commuter Route, while 8002 is Serving the Naga to Sipocot Bicol Commuter Line.
Incidents and accidents
After the inauguration of the 8000 class, multiple stoning incidents were recorded in December 2019. The old trains were involved at the incidents such as the
PNR Hyundai Rotem DMU,
203 series, and the
KiHa 35. The 8000 class were also involved at the stoning incident. The cause of the incidents were from a group of minors that throw stones and sometimes used a
slingshot.[15][16]
14 stoning incidents were reported from December 2 to 21, 2019, including a stoning incident in one 8000 class train.[17]
On December 28, 2019, an 8000 class was obstructed between
España and
Sta. Mesa stations.[18]
8001 hit a car at the railroad crossing in Brgy. Masaya,
Bay, Laguna on July 30, 2023.[19]