The 203 series (203系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated in Japan between 1982 and 2011 by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), and currently operated by KAI Commuter and Philippine National Railways.

203 series
203 series Joban Line Set 67 in October 2009
In service1982–2011 (Japan)
2011–present (Indonesia)
2012–present (Philippines)
ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Replaced103-1000 series (Japan)
PNR 7A-2000 Class (Philippines)
Constructed1982–1986
Entered serviceNovember 1982
Refurbished2020–2023 (PNR)
Scrapped2010–
Number built170 vehicles (17 sets)
Number in service40 vehicles (4 sets) (KAI Commuter)
25 vehicles (5 sets, one head car each set) (PNR)
Number scrapped80 vehicles (8 sets) (JR East)
10 vehicles (all intermediate cars) (KAI Commuter)
Successor
Formation10 cars per trainset (JNR, JR)
8 and 12 cars per trainset (KAI Commuter)[1]
5 cars per trainset (PNR)
Fleet numbers71–78, 61–69 (JNR)
51–58, 61–69 (JR East)
2, 106, 108, 109 (KAI Commuter)[1]
01–08 (PNR)
Capacity528
OperatorsJNR (1982–1987)
JR East (1987–2011)
KAI Commuter (2011–)
PNR (2012–)
DepotsMatsudo (JR East, JNR)
Bukit Duri, Bogor (KAI Commuter)
Tutuban (PNR)
Lines servedJapan: (all retired)
KAI Commuter:
PNR:
PNR Metro South Commuter Line (2012–2024)
PNR Inter-Provincial Commuter (2023–)
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in)
Doors4 pairs per side
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)[2]
Traction systemMitsubishi / Toshiba Chopper
Traction motorsMT60 × 24
Power output150 kW (201 hp) (motors)
256 kW (343 hp) (generator)[3]
Acceleration3.3 km/(h⋅s) (2.1 mph/s)
Deceleration3.3 km/(h⋅s) (2.1 mph/s)
Power supply440 V AC generator (PNR)[3]
HVACAU75G (JNR, JR East, KRL, and PNR)
ACI-4202 (PNR; 2 sets)[4]
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead catenary (JNR, JR East and KAI Commuter)
Current collector(s)PS21 pantograph (JNR, JR East and KAI Commuter)
BogiesDT46A (motor), TR234 (trailer)
Safety system(s)ATS-Sn, ATC-10 (JNR, JR East)
Coupling systemShibata and knuckle
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Formation

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The sets were formed as follows.[5]

  Original 10-car EMU configuration
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Numbering KuHa 202 MoHa 202 MoHa 203 SaHa 203 MoHa 202 MoHa 203 SaHa 203 MoHa 202 MoHa 203 KuHa 203

Cars 3, 6, and 9 were each fitted with one PS21 pantograph.[5]

Interior

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History and operations

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The 203 series sets were made to replace the 103-1000 series EMUs in 1982. The 203 series EMUs were on through services between the Joban Line and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line.

Withdrawal

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The trains were gradually replaced by new E233-2000 series EMUs, and the last set ran in revenue service on 26 September 2011.[6]

Overseas operations

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Indonesia

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Five former 203 series ten-car sets (Set numbers 51, 52, 66, 68, 69) were shipped to KAI Commuter in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011. The trainsets were subsequently reformed to create four trainsets formed as one eight-car set (set 108), two ten-car sets (sets 106 and 109), and one twelve-car set (set 2).[7] One ten-car set, set 109, has 5+5 formation with two middle driving trailers which are used only during regular maintenance.[7] The set 203-106 is the first 203 series to bear the latest KAI Commuter red-white livery, while the set 203-109 (5+5 trainsets) are bearing the latest KAI Commuter livery in September 2023.

Philippines

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In November 2011, four former 203 series 10-car sets (set numbers 53, 54, 55, 67) were shipped to the Philippine National Railways (PNR) in the Philippines for Metro commuter service in Metro Manila, replacing former Japanese 12 and 14 series coaches. As of October 2013, seven four-car sets had been formed, as shown below, with car "A" at the Alabang end.[8] Due to the lack of electrification in the PNR line, the units are equipped with a diesel-powered generator at the head car to provide power for the doors, lighting, and air-conditioning. They were usually hauled by 900 class locomotives for commuter service. The 2500 class and the 5000 class locomotives shunts the 203 series EMU in Tutuban for refueling.

EMU configurations as of October 2013[9]
 
← Alabang
Set No. A B C D
EMU 01 KuHa 203-107 MoHa 203-11 MoHa 202-7 SaHa 203-9
EMU 02 KuHa 202-4 MoHa 202-11 MoHa 203-7 MoHa 202-12
EMU 03 KuHa 203-5 MoHa 203-9 MoHa 202-9 SaHa 203-10
EMU 04 KuHa 203-4 MoHa 203-13 MoHa 202-10 SaHa 203-14
EMU 05 KuHa 203-3 MoHa 203-121 MoHa 202-120 SaHa 203-8
EMU 06 KuHa 202-3 MoHa 202-15 MoHa 203-15 SaHa 203-7
EMU 07 MoHa 203-10 MoHa 202-8 MoHa 203-120 KuHa 202-107

In 2014, PNR started to operate the EMUs in 5-car configuration. As of December 2018, there are five sets in operation. Set 02 is the only 203 series EMU in 4 car formation until 2015.

EMUs 3, 4 and 7 were divided among the other EMUs to form the 5 sets, and their remnants are stored as reserve units or source of spare parts.

EMU configurations as of December 2019
 
← Alabang
Tutuban →
Set No. 1 2 3 4 5
EMU 01 KuHa 203-107 MoHa 203-10 MoHa 202-15 SaHa 203-6 MoHa 203-12
EMU 02 KuHa 202-4 MoHa 202-9 MoHa 203-9 SaHa 203-5 MoHa 202-12
EMU 05 KuHa 203-3 MoHa 203-121 MoHa 202-120 SaHa 203-114 MoHa 203-14
EMU 06 KuHa 202-3 MoHa 202-15 MoHa 203-15 SaHa 202-7 MoHa 202-121
EMU 07 KuHa 202-107 MoHa 202-11 MoHa 203-11 SaHa 203-7 MoHa 202-8
EMU 08 KuHa 202-5 MoHa 202-10 MoHa 203-13 SaHa 203-9 MoHa 202-119

By April 2019, the head car of EMU 06 (KuHa 202-3) was transferred to EMU 02. By May 2019, the lead car of EMU 01 (KuHa 203-107) was replaced by EMU 04's head car (KuHa 203-4) and by July, EMU 07's lead car (KuHa 202-107) was transferred to EMU 08.

Due to aging reasons, the air-conditioning units of the 203 series bogged down. PNR conducted a bidding for the procurement of ten air-conditioning units for the 203 series from August to September 2018. PT INKA passed the bidding process, but after post-qualification the lone bidder was post-disqualified, causing a failed bidding. Again, a second bidding was conducted in December 2018. PT INKA once again participated, and passed the bidding process. The company passed the post-qualification process and was subsequently awarded the contract in February 2019.[10] Replacement of air-conditioning units was conducted in February 2020, with the new Model ACI-4202 I-Cond air-conditioning units installed in EMUs 05 and 06.[11][12] On the other hand, PNR is currently in the process of procuring 15 air-conditioning units for the coaches.[13]

PNR procured polycarbonate panels from PT Industries Incorporated through public bidding in 2019 to replace the old windows of the 203 Series. The contract also covered the replacement of the windows of the Hyundai Rotem DMU, KiHa 350, KiHa 52, and the KiHa 59 (KoGaNe) trains.[14] Replacement of windows was conducted in 2020, with EMU 05 as the first set to have new fitted windows, removing the need of grills.[15] All four active EMU sets have polycarbonate windows.

In summer of 2020, PNR removed the blue livery of EMUs 04 and 07. The management have stripped off the paint and focus on the bodywork progress of the said EMUs (with some instance of revealing their old livery dating back to their JR incarnation). This in preparation for the new livery of the PNR EMU 203 Series.

As of February 2021, EMUs 04 and 07 still don't have their new livery yet, though they are painted in primer gray. But recently in July 2023, the new management finally decided to revert them back to the blue livery since they will be mostly allocated to Calamba, Laguna for commuter services connecting to Lucena City in Quezon province, right after the Metro South Commuter services will be finally halt by December 2023 in preparation of construction of the North-South Commuter Railway connecting from Clark, Pampanga to Calamba in Laguna.[16]

EMU configurations as of January 2023
 
← Alabang
Tutuban →
Set No. 1 2 3 4 5
EMU 02 KuHa 202-5 Moha 202-11 MoHa 203-11 SaHa 203-7 MoHa 202-8
EMU 04 KuHa 203-4 MoHa 203-10 MoHa 202-15 SaHa 203-6 MoHa 203-12
EMU 05 KuHa 203-3 MoHa 203-121 MoHa 202-120 SaHa 203-114 MoHa 203-14
EMU 06 KuHa 202-3 MoHa 202-9 MoHa 203-9 SaHa 203-5 MoHa 202-12
EMU 07 KuHa 202-107 MoHa 202-10 MoHa 203-13 SaHa 203-9 MoHa 202-119
Key
  • KuHa: Former driving trailer car
  • SaHa: Former intermediate trailer car
  • MoHa 202: Former intermediate motor car
  • MoHa 203: Former intermediate motor car with pantograph

Incidents

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Japan

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  • On 20 March 1995, the train number A725K, or the Matsudo Train Set Number 67, which later transferred to Philippine National Railways in 2011, was involved on the sarin gas attack which happened on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line alone, southwest-bound section bound for Yoyogi-Uehara station at 7:48 AM, As the train approached Shin-Ochanomizu Station, the central business district in Chiyoda, one member of the team punctured one of his two bags of sarin, leaving the other untouched, and exited the train at Shin-Ochanomizu. And then finally, the train has been proceeded down the line with the punctured bag of sarin leaking until 4 stops later at Kasumigaseki Station. There, the bags were removed and eventually disposed of by station attendants, of whom two died. The train continued on to the next station where it was completely stopped, evacuated and cleaned.

Philippines

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  • On 14 January 2018, a passenger in a 203 series trainset forced a train door open while the train was moving.[17][18]
  • On 16 February 2020, a 203 series trainset was involved in a stone-throwing incident. It damaged a door window and injured one passenger.[19]
  • On 12 April 2022, a 9-to-12-year-old child died after being run over by a 900 class locomotive hauling a 203 series EMU train at the intersection of Antipolo Street and Ipil Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila.[20]
  • On 18 April 2023, a 203 series trainset was involved in a derailment between Pasay Road station and EDSA station.[21]

Indonesia

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Litbang KRL Jepang". gm-marka.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  2. ^ Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 357–358, 628–629. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  3. ^ a b "Procurement of Brand New Generator Set with Consumables for EMU" (PDF). Philippine National Railways. 20 October 2021. p. 31. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  4. ^ "元 JR東日本203系外観" (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b JR電車編成表 2011夏 [JR EMU Formations – Summer 2011]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. May 2010. p. 77. ISBN 978-4-330-21211-1.
  6. ^ 203系が営業運転から離脱 [203 series withdrawn from revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  7. ^ a b Takagi, Satoru (January 2018). ジャカルタ 東京地下鉄関連の車両 [Tokyo Metro rolling stock in Jakarta]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 58, no. 681. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. p. 125.
  8. ^ Saito, Miko (March 2014). フィリピン国鉄南方線の日本型車両 [Japanese rolling stock on the PNR Southern Line]. The Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). 64 (887): 64–72.
  9. ^ "フィリピン国鉄(PNR)元 JR東日本203系" (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  10. ^ PROCUREMENT OF TEN (10) AIR CONDITIONING UNITS FOR PASSENGER COACH (PDF) (Report). Philippine National Railways. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  11. ^ PNR EMU 05 Fitted with New INKA Air-conditioning Units (Reupload). 3 February 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ PNR EMU 06/02 Fitted with New INKA Air-conditioning Units. 9 February 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Procurement of Fifteen (15) Air Conditioning Units for Passenger Coach (Re-Bid) (PDF) (Report). Philippine National Railways. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  14. ^ Replacement of Train Coaches Panels by Polycarbonate Sheet (PDF) (Report). Philippine National Railways. July 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  15. ^ PNR EMU 05 Fitted with New Polycarbonate Windows. 11 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ pnr 917& EMU 04 in primer gray, retrieved 9 April 2022
  17. ^ Ramirez, Robertzon (17 January 2018). "Commuter forces open PNR train's doors". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  18. ^ External video of incident. 14 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  19. ^ Tren ng PNR, binato na naman; ilang pasahero, galit na. GMA News. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  20. ^ Doctor, Mel Matthew (18 April 2022). "Body of child run over by train in Manila yet to be claimed from mortuary". GMA News. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  21. ^ Garcia, Patrick (18 April 2023). "PNR train derails in Makati". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  22. ^ Sulistyo, Bayu Tri (26 November 2022). "KRL Commuter Line Lin Cikarang "Ngedrift" di Kampung Bandan". Railway Enthusiast Digest (in Indonesian). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  23. ^ Farozy, Ikko Haidar (27 November 2022). "Waduh, KRL Commuter Line Rangkaian BUD2 Anjlok Lagi!". Railway Enthusiast Digest (in Indonesian). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
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