PNR 8000 class

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]

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 INKA DMUs were inaugurated at Dela Rosa station on December 16, 2019, together with PNR and the Department of Transportation officials. It entered revenue service on the same day.[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 2023, 8001 is serving the San Pablo to Calamba Interprovincial Commuter Route.

As of July 2023, 8002 now also serves as Interprovincial Commuter San Pablo to Lucena Route.

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]