PNR train services resume, to commuters’ cheers

LUCENA CITY , Philippines — The familiar rumble of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) trains brought smiles and applause from daily commuters yesterday as operations resumed after a month-long suspension.

Passengers boarded the train departing Lucena for Calamba station at 5 a.m., expressing relief and gratitude for the return of a more affordable and efficient mode of transportation.

The suspension had disrupted daily routines for workers, students and other regular passengers relying on PNR’s southern line.

Mariella Faith Mendoza, a native of Lucena City, took the train for Calamba, Laguna with her mother and three-year-old son.

“It’s faster and more affordable than taking the bus,” Mendoza said.

Another passenger, Levy Dumangas, said the train is faster when she travels from Padre Burgos town in Quezon to Los Baños in Laguna where she works at the Provincial Fisheries Office.

“I prefer taking the train when I’m in a hurry or have an early trip. The travel time is quicker and the fare is also more affordable – it’s only P90,” Dumangas said.

PNR chairman Michael Macapagal said the resumption of the Calamba-Lucena rail service is a crucial step toward fulfilling President Marcos’ goal of easing the travel burden of Filipinos and modernizing the country’s southern railway system.

He said the reopening provides immediate public relief and long-term infrastructure development.

The route was closed for a month due to rail, embankment and bridge repairs.

“The long-term goal is to develop, integrate and modernize our railway system in the South – from Laguna to Quezon and eventually extending to the entire Bicol region,” Macapagal said.

The reopening forms part of PNR’s broader strategy to revitalize regional rail travel, following the continued operations of its Bicol services with three daily trips from Sipocot to Naga in Camarines Sur and two trips from Naga to Legazpi in Albay.