STATE-RUN Philippine National Railway (PNR) has secured multibillion-peso funding from the national government to revive its defunct line from Manila to Bicol.
Junio Ragragio, PNR general manager said that it has allotted P1.7 billion to rehabilitate the South Rail that will provide commuter and freight services to the Bicol region.
Of the total P1.7 billion, Ragragio said P400 million has been allotted for the improvement of stations and the remaining funding is for the rehabilitation of PNR tracks including the importation for the 83 trains from Japan.
In December the PNR secured some 83 train coaches for Japan Railway East.
”The President [President Benigno Aquino 3rd] wants to revive the Bicol line immediately . . . we hope to open the Bicol line by June,” Ragragio said.
”We would like to fast track its rehabilitation that would connect a non-stop travel from Metro Manila to the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camsur [Ca-marines Sur], Albay and Sor-sogon,” he said.
Ragragio added that a revitalized south railway system will serve as an alternative mode of transportation for tourists and travelers.
“Having a revitalized railway system will take passengers towards the Bicol region and give a different perspective to our picturesque landscape. This would definitely promote tourism and spur economic activities in this region,” he said.
Currently, the PNR operates from Tutuban in Manila to Biñan in Laguna.
The minimum fare is P10 from Tutuban and their other stations up to EDSA and increases to P15 from the Nichols, FTI and Bicutan stations.
An increment of P5 is added for the Sucat, Alabang and San Pedro, Laguna stations.
The maximum fare charge of PNR is P30 from Tutuban to three stations in Biñan, Laguna.
Plans to revive the PNR line to Bicol dates back to the Ramos administration, which even entertained the idea of extending the rail lines up to Central Luzon. –DARWIN G. AMOJELAR REPORTER, Manila Times
Short URL: http://www.manilatimes.net/?p=7698
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