LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) — Bicolanos got the Christmas present they desperately wanted from the Philippine National Railways (PNR): the resumption of train trips between Naga City in Camarines Sur and Legazpi City in Albay.
Since December 27, the PNR has resumed its commuter train service in the 101- kilometer Naga-Legazpi route, happening six years after the reported lack of train coaches and damages wrought by typhoons on the railroad tracks forced the government-run transportation firm to suspend its operations in the route.
With a minimum fare of P15 and P155 for the entire line, the transport cost is nearly 25 percent cheaper than public utility vans and buses.
It carries passengers from Legazpi to Naga in a little more than three hours at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour.
Photo: MAtun- PIA 5
The first trip from Legazpi to Naga is at 5:45 a.m., with returning trip at 5:30 p.m. daily. The daily trips from Naga to Legazpi is 5:38 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; with few minutes of stopover in the train stations in Pili, Baao, Iriga Lourdes, Bato, Matacon, Polangui, Oas, Ligao, Travesia, Daraga, Bagtang, Washington Dr., Kapantawan.
Up to 700 passengers can be accommodated. Legazpi Train Station Manager Ruben Besmonte said more trip schedules would be added once the number of passengers increased.
Passenger Marivic Fae Ching of Naga City described her inaugural train experience as “memorable.”
“The train ride to Legazpi was a different travel experience for me and my family,” she said.
Maricon Ros of Ligao City said she enjoyed the relaxed pace of train journey. “Being on the train was my way to de-stress,” she said.
“I also love the clean, air-conditioned coaches and the large seats, which are more comfortable than bus seats,” she added.
Sixty-five year-old Roy Samilo of Naga City doffed his hat to the new coaches of the PNR.
“The seat design is better than those in the old coaches,” Samilo said.
Photo credit: Erasto Alerta)
The resumption of Legazpi City railway train operation was great news also for Gina Arao. She owns a sarisari store and a turo-turo that sells “lutong bahay” near the PNR Station, and she’s grateful to the PNR management for reopening the station.
On the first day of the reopening, the railway management recorded a total of 239 outbound passengers and 171 inbound passengers. Interestingly, the majority of the passengers were young adults who rode the train out of curiosity, to gain experience and enjoy the cheap fare.
PNR General Manager Regino has promised to continue the operation of PNR in Legazpi City and Bicol in general.
He said he plans to do so with the help of Bicolano legislators who are willing to support the logistical needs of the PNR.
According to Besmonte, PNR’s priority is safety, comfortability, orderliness, and affordable travel for everyone.
The train driver, Wilson Batac of Naga City, slows down the speed of the train up to 30 km per hour, especially in densely populated areas, to prevent possible accidents. The train’s current speed capacity can accelerate the train up to 120 kilometers per hour, but for now, the maximum speed of the train is 50 kilometers per hour or an average of 40 kilometers per hour.
The PNR train in Bicol no longer uses a locomotive engine but a modern engine called a diesel-hydraulic engine. It produces less noise compared to the previous engines of old locomotive run trains, says Batac.
Jaypee Relleve, the manager of PNR Engineering Department, shared that PNR plans to connect the train service from Calamba, Laguna to Bicol, which is aimed at providing Bicolanos with a cheaper and more convenient transportation option when travelling to and from Calamba.
However, PNR is currently focusing on rehabilitating and strengthening its railway bridges and tracks to ensure that the public can enjoy a safe, comfortable, reliable, and affordable transportation option, Relleve said. The move is particularly beneficial for the commuting public who rely on PNR for their daily travel, he added. (PIA 5)
