A STUDY ON THE EFFICIENCY MEASURE

OF PNR- COMMUTER EXPRESS

A Research Paper Presented to

Engr. Geoffrey Cueto
Mapua Institute of Technology

In partial fulfilment
Of the requirements in
Methods of Research
(RES100-4)

by:
Cuizon, Allen Keith Paul S.
De Leon, Verona Alejandrea F.
Dimaano, Jethro S.

June 2014

ABSTRACT

It is said that the state of a country is clearly reflected in the conditions or situation of its
transportation system. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is the oldest and the longest railway here
in the Philippines. The PNR became successful many commuters patronizing the Railway because it is
faster than riding a jeep or a bus. As time goes by, a lot of problems came up. Some of the hurdles that the
PNR are facing are it charter is going to end and the service its delivering to the people are deteriorating.
Because of these, the researchers made a study concerning about the ratio of the useful work of the PNRCommuter express. The researchers will conduct empirical observation and random sampling to identify
the hurdles that the train is facing, to identify the factors of the problems, and find solutions to these
problems.

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the introduction, objectives of the study, the significance of the study, its
scope and limitation and its time frame.

Background of the Study

Commuter rail is one of the growing means of transportation in the country since it is a rapid
transport within long distance travel. It was considered very likely that railways should have a long-term
strategic role in the Metro Manila region because of increasing and largely insoluble- road congestion.
The two commuter rail service, the Philippine National Railways or the PNR, is a state-owned company
railway that operates two commuter rail services in Metro Manila and the Bicol Region. The Bicol
service is currently under rehabilitation in preparation for the resumption of the Bicol Express run to
Naga City in Camarines Sur province, and eventually to the southern terminal in Legazpi City in Albay.
The existing and well-patronized commuter service in Metro Manila is part of the metropolitan transit
system and is referred to as the Orange Line. Lately, there have been a lot of reports about accidents in the
PNR involving vehicles and people, and that the PNR is declining in terms of its facilities and services.
Also, The charter of the PNR will expire on June 30. If it is not extended, the PNR will be dissolved.

Problem Statement
Since the PNR is one of the oldest means of transportation and had been interposed by two world
wars, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and different managements-- the facilities and service of the rail got
worse and with the demand of commuter rail within the metro, it must be efficient. An uncommon and
interesting feature of the line through Manila is that for almost its entire length are surrounded on both
sides by informal settlers. By this, there have been accidents along the tracks. In order to combat this, a
research on the efficiency of the facilities and services of the commuter rail is to be done.

Objectives of the Study

The objective of the study is the assertion statement of the problem with the general objectives
and specific objectives desired outcome of the research process. The objective of the study is to identify
the factors that affect the efficiency of Philippine National Railways. The following are the specific
objectives that the researchers would like to achieve:

To determine the hurdles faced by Philippine National Railways in delivering its efficient

performance.
To determine the factors in the current condition of PNR in providing service
To determine the different procedural steps for Philippine National Railways improvement.

Significance of the Study

The following are the significance of finding the efficiency of the PNR:

to the society, it can help and secure the people who are always using the train and the
ones who are crossing the railways by means of vehicles or by walking. Also many
accidents have been reported; therefore the solution can make PNR safe for everyone

and it can help in the development of Manila.

It will also be of great help to students especially Mapuans who want to do a studies

regarding the same topic and improving the studies already presented.
to the profession of Civil Engineering, this has a big part because civil engineers were
the ones who will construct the roads and railways and this may help them.

1.3 Scope and Limitation

The study will cover the design and possible improvements of the facility of the
Philippine National Railways in the Metro Manila, particularly in the Espaa Station. This study will find
out if the operational condition of the PNR is efficient for a stated period of time. The study will not
include the design and possible improvements of the facility of the Philippine National Railways on the
other branches. The study excluded any railway extensions and any costumers train riding habits that
might affect the service of Philippine National Railways in the Metro Manila.

1.4 Time Frame of the Study

Activity

Week

Week

Week

Week

Week

Week

Week

Week

Week

10

Articles
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Survey
Data Gathering
Methodology
Data Analysis
Conclusion

and

Recommendation
Paper
Presentation

Final Defense

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

This chapter contains information gathered from books, journals, other periodicals, and varied
unpublished materials that provided the researchers with the exhaustive review of the topic and the
necessary background knowledge to pursue the study.

The train is the cheapest mode of transportation and carries the most passengers and cargoes.
Efficient transport is a critical component of economic development, globally and nationally. The
development of the railways was a source of immense economic growth. It absorbed much of the capital
investment of the period. It generated demand from other industries, and enabled goods to be transported
more easily, more cheaply and on a larger scale. Railways provided hundreds of people with work,
directly or indirectly. People could travel and goods arrived more quickly because of railways.
Transport availability affects global development patterns and can be a boost or a barrier to economic
growth within individual nations.6 Transportation investments link factors of production together in a
web of relationships between producers and consumers to create a more efficient division of production,
leverage geographical comparative advantage, and provide the means to expand economies of scale and
scope. Transports contribution to economic development includes the following:

Network effectslinking more locations exponentially increases the value and effectiveness of

transport
Performance improvementsreducing cost and time for existing passenger and freight

movements increase transports contribution to economic growth

Reliabilityimproves time performance and reduces loss and damage, thus reducing economic

drag
Market sizeaccess to wider markets adds to economies of scale in production, distribution, and

consumption, thereby increasing economic growth

Productivitytransport increases productivity gained from access to a larger and more diverse
base of inputs such as raw materials, parts, energy, and labor, and broader markets for more
diverse outputs
Transport has affected economic development from the beginning of human civilization.

Economic development focused on the confluence of transport systems early cities grew up on natural
bays and ports, and on rivers and lakes where transport was available. Romans built roads to unify and
provide access to their far-flung empire. Geographic characteristics such as proximity to oceans, seas, and
waterways, plains, mountains and the location of oases defined early transport systems (e.g., the Silk

Road went from oasis to oasis, and city to city, where there were no reliable water or road routes). The
industrial revolution generated new transport demands, which required higher volumes of coal, iron ore,
and other materials; this led to canal construction that extended water transport, and to early railway
development.

A LOCAL
Senators call for the 25-year extension of the PNR after the agency promised reforms, including the
improvement of services and assets. Senators Cynthia Villar and Ralph Recto sponsored a bill extending
the operation of the PNR by 25 years, renewable for another 25 years. The PNR is the state-owned agency
that operates the railway system running in Luzon. In separate speeches, Villar and Recto stressed the
need not only to extend the life of the PNR, but also to ensure that the rail system becomes a viable
alternative for commuters struggling with heavy traffic and overloaded buses and trains. While there is
no debate that the PNR is a shadow of its former self, there is also no doubt that it could regain its former
self, if not better, Recto said on Tuesday, May 6. This bill shouldnt simply extend the franchise of PNR
but should expand its services, added Recto, the principal author of Senate Bill 1831. Villar, chairperson
of the Senate committee on government corporations and public enterprises, explained that her panel
decided to renew PNRs charter for just 25 years, instead of 50 years to review and assess its
performance. Villar said that in requesting for the extension, the PNR committed to the following
reforms:

Improve the efficiency of its existing Metro Manila Commuter Line and expand the line
northward to Malolos

Automate the present fare collection system

Revive the mainline south to Bicol and extend the south line onwards to Sorsogon

Introduce freight service for goods via the existing at-grade PNR tracks

Improve the utilization of PNR real estate assets

Implement the highest standards of governance in its financial and management operations

Villar stressed the urgency of passing the bill because the PNR charter is set to expire on June 19. It is one
of the measures that the Senate hopes to pass before Congress goes on break on June 14.
Underutilized asset
Recto lamented the decline of the PNR, comparing its current state to its peak decades ago when the
Philippine railway system stretched 1,140 kilometers. He said it now plies 43 kilometers or 1/20 th of its
former network. Before the war, one can board a train in Lucena before breakfast, switch to another train
in Tutuban by lunch, and get off in Dagupan in time for dinner. And it wasnt confined to Luzon alone. In
1907, the 36-kilometer Cebu-Danao line was inaugurated. This was further extended south to Argao,
Recto said. In this age of bullet trains, the lumbering PNR coaches we see today may impress us as
museum pieces, he quipped. Recto said other problems include the PNRs P23 billion liabilities reported
last year, and the robbery of its land, which ended up in private hands. Still, Recto said the PNR holds
huge potential. He said last year, it managed to carry 20 million passengers. He said this amounts to halfa-million busloads of passengers a year, easing congestion in Metro Manila. Thus, just doubling the
number of trains would mean increasing the number of its passengers to 40 million annually equivalent
to one million bus trips, Recto said. The senator said it is crucial to rehabilitate the PNR as the
Philippines is nearing traffic Armageddon, a reference to the heavy traffic in Metro Manila and major
cities. When the queue to the MRT is as long as the distance to be travelled, then it is time to maximize
the underutilized asset that is the PNR, Recto said.
Trade, regional connectivity
Citing the position of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and PNR, Villar said
extending the PNR charter will yield economic benefits:

It supports the governments thrust in improving connectivity and efficiency among urban centers
and regional growth hubs

It offers the cheapest mode of transportation to a wide geographic area, with fare amounting to
P0.71 per kilometer as compared to jeepneys and buses with P2 per kilometer. It is worth noting
that PNR has not increased its fare matrix in the last 20 years.

Discontinuing the PNR service will displace passengers who come from the lowest earning C
and D economic bracket of the population.

Villar said government subsidy to the PNR was P32.7 per passenger, less than the subsidy granted to the
Light Rail Transportation Authority (LRTA) worth P36.40 per passenger. I would also like to highlight
that railways are superior to other modes of mass transportation in terms of minimal impact on
environment and efficiency of land use, Villar said. The PNR operates commuter lines from Tutuban to
Santa Rosa, Laguna, and from Naga to Sipocot. The long-distance service to Legaspi, Bicol was
suspended in October 2012 because of damages to bridges due to typhoons. Villar said though that the
PNR promised to resume the service by September 2014, with a test run planned in June.
Staring March, the Philippine National Railways will extend operating hours and deploy a special
coach service so it can service more commuters. State-run Philippine National Railways (PNR) will
extend operating hours and deploy a special coach service starting March so it can service more
commuters who want to avoid heavier-than-usual traffic along Metro Manila roads. The Department of
Transportations and Communications (DOTC) urges commuters to consider PNR as alternative mode of
transportation as Metro Manila braces for "carmaggedon" with the simultaneous construction of 15 major
road projects starting this year. "This is one of the DOTC's first efforts towards easing the present traffic
situation in Manila, Makati, Pasay, and other affected areas especially in the southern part of the
metropolis," DOTC spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal said. Instead of taking private vehicles,
motorists will now have a more efficient alternative. We are also working on other solutions which we
will be ready to implement as our infrastructure projects are rolled out later this year to 2015, he added.
The projects include the P27-billion Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, the P15-billion Ninoy Aquino
International Airport expressway being undertaken by diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corporation,

as well as the P18-billion tollroad connecting the North Luzon and South Luzon expressway of
infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

1hr, 15 mins from Laguna to Makati

PNR general manager Joseph Allan Dilay said that the company is extending its normal operating hours
to 4 am to 8 pm instead of 5 am to 7 pm. The train service takes one hour and 15 minutes to the Buendia
station in Makati City from Sta. Rosa station in Laguna, and 31 minutes from Tutuban station to the
Buendia station. The railway currently serves an average of 65,000 passengers on 70 trips per day. On
March 3, Dilay said PNR will launch a special coach service with a special fare of P60 to P90. The
service features air-conditioned train sets that can accommodate 120 passengers per trip fully equipped
with fixed seating, on-board comfort rooms, reclining seats, and a lounge section. The Special coach
service is part of our program to revive the old glory of PNR, and to deliver improved services to the
public. It will also enable riders from the south to take a reliable and faster means of transport into the
heart of Metro Manila, he added. The service will run 4 times per day, leaving Tutuban station to Sta.
Rosa at 5:45 am and the last trip arriving at the Tutuban station from Sta. Rosa at 7:54 pm. Depending on
ridership turnout, Dilay said PNR may increase the number of trips to serve more passengers. PNR is
currently looking at extending the Metro South Commuter Train service all the way to Calamba in
Laguna from Tutuban. DOTC said the government is also pursuing two major railway projects in Luzon
connecting Cagayan in the north and Bicol in the south via the proposed 900-kilometer Integrated Luzon
Railway (ILR) and the 90-km commuter rail link (also known as airport express rail).
A motorist was killed while his three female passengers were wounded Tuesday afternoon when a
Philippine National Railways (PNR) train crashed into their sports utility vehicle in Manila. Initial reports
from the Manila Police District (MPD) revealed that a white Toyota Revo (XLW-711) was crossing the
railroad tracks at the corner of Tayuman and Dagupan Streets in Tondo, at around 3:10 p.m., Tuesday,

when it collided with the locomotive. Reports said that the driver of the vehicle was instantly killed while
his companions were rushed to the nearest hospital.
Seven people escaped with just minor injuries after a close encounter with a slow-moving
Philippine National Railways (PNR) train Thursday morning. Senior Police Officer 4 Sergio Macaraig of
the Manila Traffic Bureau said that the PNR train with body number CX106 was on its way to Tayuman
from Manila when it hit a Toyota Echo which had stopped on the railroad tracks in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Due to the impact, the Toyota swerved to the right and hit the Mitsubishi [L-300] van beside it,
Macaraig told the Inquirer over the phone. The driver of the Echo was identified as Gualberto
Dominguez, an employee of Manila City Hall. He and the six passengers of the van, who were all on their
way to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, suffered minor injuries. They were taken to Ospital
ng Maynila for treatment.
The occupants of the van were identified as Flordeliza Oraya, 18; Juvelyn Reynoso, 18; Jerol Botas, 18;
Wister Fuesta, 24; May Jane Nespol, 27 and Hilarion Pardo, 27, the driver. Macaraig said that the two
vehicles were headed for Valenzuela Street when a crossing keeper signaled their drivers to stop because
of the approaching train. The driver of the Echo, however, continued to move his vehicle forward either
because he failed to see the crossing keeper or chose to deliberately ignore him. When the train
approached, a portion of the Echo was on the railroad tracks and the driver couldnt move his vehicle
because of the heavy traffic in the area at that time, Macaraig said. When the train hit the left side of the
vehicle, it swerved sideways and hit the van which was on its right side. The driver of the PNR train with
body number CX106 was identified as Eufemiano Acosta III. After the accident, the train did not stop but
continued its journey, Macaraig said. He added that according to the crossing keeper, the train was not
running at full speed before the accident.
B FOREIGN
The new dynamic sign" tells drivers a train is coming -- so don't try to cut across the tracks! A
red light apparently just wasn't enough. New Jersey Transit recently installed a sign at the Paterson Plank

Light Rail crossing in Hoboken, which warns cars when light rail trains are approaching. There have been
several car + Light Rail collisions at that intersection in the past. In a press release she sent out yesterday,
4th Ward Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer said she is pleased NJ Transit installed the sign. Zimmer said that
after the accidents, she called on NJ Transit to improve safety at the crossing. "These improvements are a
step forward in making Hoboken a safer place to walk, bike and drive. But there is much more to do,"
said Zimmer in the press release. Zimmer is also currently working to resolve issues with the timing of
the Marshall Street light, installing better lighting and cameras at the 2nd Street Light Rail stop to reduce
crime, and install stanchions at the most dangerous intersections in the Fourth Ward.
The most complex section is the central business district (CBD) stretch. This street-level section
contains 13 crossings at grade, the remainder of the network has 42 level crossings.
Intersections in the CBD are equipped with train signals linked to traffic lights. Additionally, several
intersections have special traffic lights to restrict specific vehicle movements while trains are passing.
Outside the CBD, signals are the traditional three-colour (red, amber, green) type, with level crossings
protected by flashing red lights and gates. Cab signalling integrated with emergency braking is to be
introduced on DART LRVs.

Metro light rail says its trains are running slower through a busy Tempe intersection where a train
and truck collided Monday. Both Metro and the Tempe Police Department are investigating the crash that
happened where the tracks cross University Drive on the eastern edge of Arizona State University.
Metro's trains are running on a slow order'' so train operators can confirm that the gates controlling the
crossing are down before passing through. The train collided with a pickup driven by Brandon Stovall,
28, of Tempe at about 4:30 p.m. Monday. Stovall's brother, Chris, said Monday he was sitting a few cars
behind his brother in traffic when the crash happened. Stovall said his brother drove his truck onto the

tracks after the train passed and the gates lifted. He said that's when another train hit his brother's truck,
spinning it around in the street. No one was injured. Metro confirmed there were two trains in the area,
headed in different directions. The agency said that's not unusual. Most of Metro's street crossings are
controlled by traffic signals. This one is between streets with signals so has a standard railroad gate and
warning lights in addition to several signs.
Reliability is the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated
conditions for a specified period of time (IEEE 1990). Often used measures for reliability are the Mean
Time Between Failures and the percentage of the planned processes that is completed in time. However, a
wide range of definitions can be found, mainly depending on the system or application. Google(2005)
already provides about 25 definitions. In this thesis, the term reliability is used quite broadly. When a
railway system is reliable, the trains run properly most of the time. This means that most of the passengers
and goods are transported at the scheduled time. Only a small portion of the trains has delays or is not
operated at all. Both the average delay and the variation in the delays are low. Although reliability is
obviously an important characteristic of any transportation system, it is difficult to give an unambiguous
quantification for railways. Rietveld et al. (2001) provide the reader with seven possible measures:
1. punctuality, i.e. the probability that a train arrives less than x minutes late;
2. the probability of an early departure;
3. the mean difference between the expected arrival time and the scheduled arrival time;
4. the mean delay of an arrival given that one arrives late;
5. the mean delay of an arrival given that one arrives more than x minutes late;
6. the standard deviation of arrival times;
7. the adjusted standard deviation of the arrival times (ignoring the early arrivals), and various other more
complex measures to represent the seriousness of unreliability.
However, many more measures for reliability exist. Our reliability objective in most of this thesis is
similar to point (3): minimize the positive difference between the arrival times in operations and the

scheduled arrival times. Minimizing this aspect has in many cases beneficial effects on all others. Two
other concepts are highly correlated to reliability and need to be introduced as well, viz. robustness and
stability.

CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter consists of the research design, research participants, research instruments, data
gathering procedures and statistical measures that were applied in the investigation for the analysis and
interpretation of data.

For this research, the researchers agreed that descriptive method of research will be used and
applied in this research. Data gathering will be based on empirical observations and random survey
sampling. Survey sampling for this research is that the researchers conducted a survey from the
passengers of the commuter rail particularly who rides from the Espaa station. Survey questionnaires
will be handed out to them as a mean in conducting this kind of technique. Data gathered from this survey
will be tabulated per question and will be analyzed by the researchers to bring necessary information.

A. Framework of the Study

1. Analytical Framework

An analytical framework for the study was conceptualized to allow a detailed and systematic
evaluation of the gathered data which emanated from the statement of the problem, going through the
main objective of the research, up to the suggested and proposed solutions.

Statement
Problem

of

Objective
Setting

R
eview of
Review
R
elated
Related
Literature

Data
Collection
Collection

Data

Analysis

Conclusion
and
and
R
ecommendat
Recommendat
ion

Further
Studies

2. Conceptual Framework
The researchers want to visualize the idea and to focus on the purpose of the study. This provides the
researchers with means and ideas necessary for the study.

 Know the
existing
problems of the
PNR
Perception of
passengers of the
PNR

Input

Proce
Empiricalss
observation of

facilites in the PNR

Espaa Station
Random survey
within the
passengers

Solutions to the
problem
statement
Recommendation
on improvement
of PNR

Outpu
t

B. Research Design
The gathered data and with its methodologies were done by observation and survey which served as
the primary data suitable for determining the efficiency measure of the PNR.

C. Research Instruments
For this research paper, the instruments necessary for this study are empirical observation and random
survey method.
1. Empirical Observation
The researchers made an empirical observation on the services and facilities of the PNR
Espaa. Also the researchers observed the management of the PNR in the Espaa station.
2. Random Survey
The researchers also conducted survey questionnaire among the target respondents. These
respondents are the passengers of the commuter rail. It is conducted in the Espaa station. A

survey is conducted to know their view and perspective about the efficiency measure of the
PNR.

CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This chapter will try to discuss and analyze different data that the researchers have gathered
throughout the study. Tables will be used to present the results that we had per question in our survey.
This part of the research will also include descriptive statistics for the relevant variables using different
graphs of the results.

Recently, there has been news about accidents, demand, and the expiration of the PNR charter.
Researchers have observed and conducted a survey the commuter rail regarding their opinions on the
status of the facilities and services of the PNR. The researchers targeted to have 50 responses, but only
able to get 40 of them.

Answer Choices
Every day
Few times a week
Few times a month
Occasionally

70%
15%
12.5%
2.5%

28
6
5
1
40

How do you often ride the PNR?

no. of respondents
0

10

15

20

25

30

28 out of 40 rides the PNR every day, while 6 of them said few times a week, 5 for few times a
month, and 1 respondent rides occasionally.
What is the purpose of your trip?

no. of respondents

10

15

20

25

Answer Choices
For school
For work
For leisure
others

45%
50%
5%
0%

18
20
2
0
40

20 out of the 40 respondents purpose is for work, 18 for school, 2 for leisure, and none for others.

Are you satisfied with the ease of buying tickets?

no

no. of respondents

yes
0

10

15

20

25

30

Answer Choices
Yes
No

37.5%
62.5%

15
25
40

25 out of the 40 respondents is not satisfied when buying tickets while the 15 respondents is satisfied.

Are you satisfied with the provision of information about train schedules and platform?
no

no. of respondents

yes
0

10

15

20

25

30

Answer Choices
Yes
No

72.5%
27.5%

29
11
40

29 out of 40 are satisfied with the provision of information about train schedules and platform while 11 of
them are not.
Are you satisfied with the quality of the current facilities of the PNR?

no

no. of respondents

yes
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

Answer Choices
Yes
No

75%
25%

3
10
40

30 out of 40 are not satisfied with the quality of the current facilities of the PNR and 10 are satisfied.

Are you satisfied with the security?

no

no. of respondents

yes
0

10

15

20

25

Answer Choices
Yes
No

55%
45%

22
18
40

The respondents are not satisfied with the security with 22 out of 40, and 18 out of 40 are satisfied.

Are you satisfied with the punctuality/reliability (i.e. departing and arriving on time) of the PNR?
no
no. of respondents
yes
0

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Answer Choices
Yes
No

95%
5%

38
2
40

38 respondents said that they are satisfied with the punctuality/reliability of the PNR while 2 are not.

Are you satisfied with the availability of staffs?

no

no. of respondents

yes
18

18.5

19

19.5

20

20.5

21

21.5

Answer Choices
Yes
No

52.5%
47.5%

21
19
40

21 out of 40 said that they are satisfied with the availability of staffs while 19 out of 40 are not satisfied.

From a scale of 1-5, 5 being the highest, rate the satisfaction of PNR services

no. of respondents

8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Answer Choices
5
4
3
2
1

0%
12.5%
47.5
40%
0%

0
5
19
16
0
40

Majority of the respondents rated the satisfaction of the PNR services. Results showed that 16 answered
2, 19 answered 3, and 5 answered 4.

Since there is a junction at Espaa avenue, it is one of the busiest roads in Manila,
therefore, more people, more possibility of accidents. Also, there are a lot of informal settlers along the
right of way of the PNR. Garbages are thrown at trains and tracks. When the researchers ride from Espaa
to Sta. Mesa station, the following were observed: the platform in the Espaa station is too short for the
train. The tendency is some of the commuters jump on the rail road just to ride on the train; another is the

platform is higher than the train that may cause the passengers to trip; surroundings are not clean enough;
and some of the tracks are missing and its state could easily lead to derailment.

CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusion

Philippine National Railways is faster and cheap mode of transportation. It is considered as one
of todays most in demand used for public transportation especially for students and workers. After
conducting this research, the group has analyzed the results from the passengers, and has concluded that
even many passengers patronized the PNR; passengers are not that satisfied with the efficiency of the
PNR, they think that PNR needs to improve some of their services. People want more efficient services
from the PNR. Passengers want an easier way of buying tickets, they also want to feel more safe and
secure, and also a more comfortable space inside the railcars. The factors in the current condition of the
PNR in providing service is lack of support from the government and poor management.
Overall, the results from the research shows to improve the efficiency of the PNR, solutions are
suggested by the passengers of the PNR. The PNR should add more ticket booths in order to ease on
buying tickets, security guards and staffs must be visible and having CCTV cameras for security
purposes, the facilities should be hi-standards and make sure that it will last longer, the PNR should also
have more trash cans on the station and inside the rail cars and should inspect regularly the system
especially the brake, and lastly the passengers suggested to add more railcars to increase the capacity of
the PNR.
Recommendations
For future development of the efficiency of Philippine National Railway, the group recommends
that the other researchers focus more on providing solutions to satisfy and make the passengers
comfortable during their trip. Apart from this is the continuous monitoring of by the concerned
government agency to ensure that the PNR works fine. And there should also be a regular checking on the
condition of the facilities.

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Philippines

Department

of

Transport

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2004:

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Railway reform : Toolkit for improving rail sector performance (English), 2011,
unknown author, public sector study

-http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2009/02/new_sign_warns_cars_at_paterso.html
-http://www.kiat.net/malaysia/KL/transit.html
-http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/dallas-dart-expansion/
-http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/01/06/20090106metrocrash0106-ON.html

To: Respondent
We, the Civil Engineering students of Mapua Institute of Technology, are conducting a
study about the efficiency of the Philippine National Railways Commuter Express. As a part of
our study, we are giving survey questionnaires to random respondents that will help our study.

May you answer the following questions based on your experience and opinions. Thank you and
God bless!
From: The Researchers

Encircle the letter of your choice:

1. How do you often ride the PNR?
a. Everyday
b. Few times a week
c. Few times a month
d. Occasionally
2.
3. What is the purpose of your trip?
a. For school
b. For work
c. For leisure
d. Others
4.
5. Are you satisfied with the ease of
buying tickets?
a. Yes
b. No
6.
7. Are you satisfied with the provision
of information about train schedules
and platform?
a. Yes
b. No
8.
18.

9. Are you satisfied with the quality of

the current facilities of the PNR?
a. Yes
b. No
10.
11. Are you satisfied with the security?
a. Yes
b. No
12.
13. Are you satisfied with the
punctuality/reliability (i.e. departing
and arriving on time) of the PNR?
a. Yes
b. No
14.
15. Are you satisfied with the
availability of staffs?
a. Yes
b. No
16.
17. From a scale of 1-5, 5 being the
highest, rate the satisfaction of PNR
services: ________

19.