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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Zoom! Solon eyes bullet trains for 'Bicol Express' comeback

Zoom! Solon eyes bullet trains for 'Bicol Express' comeback

Published Mar 11, 2024 07:51 am

At A Glance

  • Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte said that bullet trains should be tapped in the planned revival of the "Bicol Express" railway line.

1D4DB512-7B61-400C-B69E-063902EF14FB.jpeg(Unsplash)

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte said that bullet trains should be tapped in the planned revival of the “Bicol Express” railway line.

In a statement on Monday, March 11, Villafuerte said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) should mull the use of Japanese-style bullet trains since they can make an “imposing impact” on the country, commuters, and domestic tourism.

“Now is the best time for the government to ponder over the rollout of this cutting-edge, high-speed rail system not only for the Manila-Bicol railway plan but for other major train ventures, too, under the Marcos administration’s P9.14 trillion flagship infrastructure program,” he said.

The DOTr announced in February that it was embarking on a mass transportation plan that would lead to a “renaissance” in the Philippine railway system.

The agency said negotiations with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)—which manages Japan’s official development assistance (ODA)—has reportedly “stepped up”, with the planned application of cutting-edge technology in major railway projects among the agenda.

Japan is home to the world-famous Shinkansen, a network of high-speed railway lines colloquially known as "bullet trains".

“Through ODA or PPP (public-private partnership) financing or a combination of both, the government should consider rolling out bullet trains,” Villafuerte said.

The National Unity Party (NUP) president said the government could also tap PPP arrangements similar to the construction and management of the country’s expressways.

With this plan in motion, Villafuerte said bullet trains can be utilized for the planned South Long Haul Project--otherwise known as “Bicol Express”--which will connect Laguna all the way to Albay or Sorsogon.

He noted that other major train systems should also consider the use of these modern trains to usher in a better future for the transportation system.

The lawmaker said the supposed glory days of the Philippine railway systems began in the 19th century when local trains reached as far as La Union in Northern Luzon to Albay in Bicol.

Related Tags

Bicol Express bullet train lray villafuerte railway system
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