PNR San Pablo-Lucena line to reopen on Sunday

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Railway (PNR) San Pablo, Laguna to Lucena, Quezon line will reopen starting Sunday.

This, after outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte led the reopening ceremony of Philippine National Railways (PNR) San Pablo-Lucena Inter-provincial Commuter Service on Saturday.

Through this commuter line, travel time between San Pablo and Lucena will be reduced to 30 minutes from the usual one hour travel time, according to Duterte.

“This is also a vital step towards restoring the PNR Bicol Express that will connect Metro Manila to the provinces in Southern Luzon and Bicol,” Duterte said in his speech.

The San Pablo-Lucena line will have two main stations and four flag stops that will be serving four municipalities and one city in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.

According to the state-owned railway company, the fare from San Pablo to Lucena is capped at less than P100.

The PNR San Pablo to Lucena line, a 44-kilometer inter-provincial commuter railway, halted operations in October 2013 when an abutment along the route collapsed.

Duterte, meanwhile, reminded the next administration to continue leading the improvement of the country’s railway system.

“It is my hope that you will never lose sight of this goal, as the enhancement of this vital transportation connection will be the key to unlocking even better opportunities for our countrymen,” he said.

READ: DOTR: PNR to resume train operations on April 12