PNR service delayed by hours due to obstruction

The operations of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) was delayed by hours on Monday due to an obstruction on its tracks.

According to Darlene Cay’s report on “24 Oras,” some passengers waited for three to five hours in line before finally boarding the train.

The long lines outside Tutuban stretched all the way to the quadrangle outside the station.

“Nakakainis na. Hindi naman kasi sila nag-advise agad, nag-start pa sila magpapila ng 6 o’ clock. Ang sabi nila 7 o’ clock pero na-cancel nga raw, tapos sabi 8 o’ clock magiintay na sana ako tapos ngayon 9:06 hindi pa sure,” commuter Gretchel Gianan said.

Only eight to 30 passengers per station are allowed to board.

“Sinong hindi maha-high blood? Sige nga, ang tagal tagal mong nakapila tapos ngayon sasabihin nila, ‘Pasensya, pasensya.’ Sabi ko, ‘Hindi ko makakain ang pasensya, ikaw nga ang pumila ng tatlong oras,’” said 55-year-old Elva Castro, who was hours late to her first day of work at a Makati garment store.

The PNR authority appealed for patience from passengers as the country adjusts to the “new normal.”

“Kung nakikita mong maluwag, hindi ibig sabihin ‘yun lang ang sakay. Kung ang isasakay lang ay 200, pagpapartehan niyo ng 16 na station. Nakikiusap kami, dagdagan natin ‘yung ating pasensya,” PNR spokesperson Joseline Geronimo said.

“‘Yung atin pong pang-araw araw ay malaki na talaga ang naging pagbabago,” she added. — DVM, GMA News