Clark, Pampanga (CNN Philippines) — Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) newest creation, the hybrid road train, caught fire during its dry run trip inside the Clark Freeport Zone.
The incident happened last Thursday (January 14) when passengers noticed thick smoke coming from the fifth coach of the train.
No one was reported hurt and injured in the said incident.
The light hybrid road train runs on both diesel fuel and electric batteries. It has a 160-passenger capacity — each coach can accommodate 40 to 45 passengers.
The fifth coach is dedicated for its machines and power mechanisms.
In a statement made by Eric Jimenez of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Communications Department, preliminary investigation conducted by the CDC and DOST revealed that seven batteries of the said train malfunctioned.
According to the CDC, the train will be fully operational in the next two months to serve the commuting public in the freeport zone.
However due to the incident, the light hybrid road train is bound to stay grounder until the investigation is completed by both CDC and DOST.
