Higher SLEX toll? Use train instead, says PNR

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Junio Ragragio claimed yesterday that the planned toll increase in the south Luzon Expressway (SLEX) could make the train the best alternative for commuters from Manila to Laguna.

Ragragio was reacting to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that dismissed the petition of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda to stop the toll increase and remanded the case back to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to review and implement the rates presented by the private operators of SLEX.

“We encourage the riding public who will be inconvenienced by the possible increase in bus fares plying the Manila-Biñan, Laguna route to use the PNR trains. Our fares are very affordable and our coaches are air-conditioned. Our fares are presently a third of the price of what the bus and jeepney fare costs. Based on reports, bus fares would dramatically increase once the SLEX toll hike would be put in effect,” Ragragio said.

He said that the PNR is currently undergoing rehabilitation and upgrading their locomotives and coaches, despite budget limitations, to better serve the commuting public.

“The PNR has been favored with a donation of some 83 train coaches from Japan Railway East. We only need national government funding support to bring them to our country. Should DBM (Department of Budget and Management) release this fund, we will be in the best position to provide a better alternative commuter service to the affected riding public, considering PNR’s very affordable fares,” Ragragio said.

He added that they are also fortifying passenger control gates to address the increasing number of passengers entering the train stations.

The PNR expects an increase of commuters in the coming Christmas rush as merchants and traders from the south of Manila visit Divisoria to purchase goods and sell it in their own localities.

Ragragio said the PNR is ready to shorten the waiting hours of passengers to board the train as part of the expected increase of railway users.

“Currently, the PNR has a 20-minute interval shift during peak hours and that is from 7 to 8 o’clock in the morning and 4 to 6 o’clock in the evening. We will shorten the intervals anticipating passenger demand,” he added.

Reports said Gov. Salceda expressed concern over the economic impact of the SLEX toll hike to Bicol and said that an estimated P480-million annual net resource outflow from his province will be affected that would result in the failure of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MGD) in this part of the country.

Operators of provincial buses plan to file their own petition for a fare increase once the SLEX toll hike is implemented.

The South Luzon Bus Operators Association president Homer Mercado said they have no alternative but to pass on to the passengers the effect of the SLEX toll hike.