Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade inspected on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, a new Philippine National Railways (PNR) route that aims to connect the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.
Tugade said that the PNR San Pablo- Lucena route will not only link the rail line to the Bicol network but also “unlock economic potentials and enhance mobility in Southern Luzon.”
“This San Pablo-Candelaria-Lucena route that we are planning to open will help us realize our dream of having a ‘Bicol Express,’” Tugade said during his inspection of the new route.
The DOTr chief was referring to the PNR South Long Haul Project or the "Bicol Express” (PNR Bicol) where parts of the long-distance rail network’s right-of-way will be utilized for it. Eyed for partial operation this April, the 560-kilometer long PNR Bicol has 35 stations and seeks to connect Metro Manila to provinces in Southern Luzon.
“That’s why this is a big and important rail line for Laguna and Lucena in Quezon in the immediate term,” he added.
Aside from its use as a passenger commuter service, Tugade said the PNR Lucena-San Pablo route can also be converted into a commercial or cargo freight service.
“It is also important to note that this route is convertible not only to those going to Bicol but also as a commercial route here in Lucena,” he stated.
Stalled for almost a decade, Tugade said that the PNR San Pablo-Lucena route is a 44-kilometer inter-provincial commuter railway which was part of the commuter train service to Bicol with stations and flag stops for daily commuters or short travels.
The PNR Lucena-San Pablo commuter line ceased operation in October 2013 after the collapse of an abutment.
Once its operations resume, the DOTr chief said that the line will have two terminal stations and four flag stops in between, with travel time of one hour and 32 minutes from Lucena, Quezon to San Pablo, Laguna.
Meanwhile, PNR General Manager Junn Magno expressed gratitude to the provincial governments of Laguna and Quezon for helping the DOTr and PNR in “reaching the country’s aspirations in opening the mass transport.”
GM Magno stressed that the PNR San Pablo-Lucena line will also open the economic corridors of Laguna, Quezon, and Bicol to ensure economic equity and progress in Southern Luzon.
For his part, San Pablo City, Laguna Urban Development and Housing Officer Emilio Tirones said the PNR Lucena-San Pablo line will aid in various aspects of socio-economic development, including the city’s economic stability, mobility and connectivity and relocation for San Pablo City’s informal settlers.