the PNR comeback

**absinthe** · June 23rd, 2011 01:44 PM

Passengers flock on final test-run of Bicol Express

By Jun Pasaylo (PhilStar)
Updated June 22, 2011 05:37 PM

^^ [SIZE="2"] PNR general manager Junio Ragragio Jr. leads dozens of guests during the final test run of Bicol Express tonight.[/SIZE]

MANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of passengers flock the Philippine National Railways (PNR) as the agency launched tonight the final test run of Bicol Express, which will re-open its Manila-Naga-Manila operation on June 29.

Philstar.com is among those that witness tonight’s event as the PNR fully simulated the full services of the train that will leave Manila at 6:45 p.m. tonight.

Officials of the Department of Transportation and Communication also joined the activity. The Bicol Express route was suspended on 2006 on the aftermath of typhoon Melinyo.

PNR general manager Junio Ragragio Jr. said that the re-opening of the Bicol Express is part of the Aquino administration’s determination to improve the transportation industry to spur economic development in the countryside.

“ It is indeed a milestone in the nation’s transportation history of the comeback of this once popular railway express; however what is important to us is that PNR gets back on its track to provide an efficient public mass transportation system that would initially service the southern part of Luzon transporting tourists, travellers and goods without delay,” Ragragio said.

Bicol Express first trip departed Tutuban Station at 6:45 in the evening and will arrive at the Naga City station at 4:00 in the morning.

The Bicol Express offers three classes of train coaches namely the tourist, family and executive classes. Each offers different amenities to suit passenger’s needs and budget.

The Tourist coach has reclining seats similar to a first class air conditioned bus but with wider leg room and seating capacity. It also offers an in-house movie (LCD) to keep passengers entertained for the more or less nine-hour trip.

The Family coach is divided into several cubicles, each with 4 double deck bunk beds that can provide a relaxing shut eye during the long journey.

The Executive coach is designed for travelers who would like privacy. It offers individual private rooms and a mezzanine area.

A dining car is also provided in the trip for passengers who would like to eat in comfort with the amenities of a restaurant.

**absinthe** · June 24th, 2011 10:10 PM

Another angle of the Dining Car. Taken in Naga City Central Station, June 23, 2011.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Leiron Adimlen

PNR, MRT, LRT in the Philippines's Photos - PNR: 5th Bicol Trial Run | Facebook

**absinthe** · June 25th, 2011 03:06 AM

Bicol Express: We're back

By Jun Pasaylo (Philstar)
Updated June 24, 2011 08:45 AM

^^ Bicol Express 918 successfully concludes its turn-around Manila-Naga-Manila test run this morning along with its nearly 200 passengers on board. (Jun Pasaylo)

MANILA, Philippines – Braving itself through raging rains as tropical storm “Falcon” battled Luzon, the Bicol Express successfully concluded its turn-around Manila-Naga-Manila final test-run this morning.

A total of 157 passengers, excluding crewmembers and police marshals, joined Bicol Express in its historic comeback since it canceled commercial operations in 2006 following the devastation of typhoon Milenyo.

In an interview with philstar.com, Philippine National Railway general manager Junio Ragragio Jr. said the successful trip signaled the readiness of the agency in reviving its long-stalled trip to Bicol region.

“Yes, we are ready for commercial operation. I think we need to start it already pero soft-run lang muna,” he said, while reiterating the need to have more trains operational for the route.

The PNR chief said that currently only two trains, with six coaches each, are ready for commercial operation. He said that the PNR is waiting for the delivery of 50 more coaches from Japan.

With commuters flocking to the PNR inquiring about trip schedules and fare rates, Ragrario said: “I think we need that commercial operation (to Bicol) already.”

On its final test-run, he cited the need to strengthen the train tracks and to clear illegal settlers along the railways. He also highlighted the need for more manpower that will cater to the needs of local commuters and tourists.

“We need more trackmen to guard and maintain the railways, especially during bad weather. Otherwise, the train will slow down, extending its travel time on its route,” he said.

Mock passengers – who were composed of the members of the media, PNR employees, independent bloggers, transportation officials, and joy riders – were treated to the train’s superb accommodations.

On top of its Tourist, Family, Executive and Dining Coaches, travelers also enjoyed uninterrupted wi-fi connections, huge LCD television screens, and real-time GPS monitoring on the train’s actual locations.

The PNR is yet to announce the fare rates of the soon-to-be open Manila-Naga route, but hinted that it is much cheaper compare to the other mode of transportation. It also said to launch its maiden commercial trip to Naga City on June 29.

The PNR also aimed of extending the route to Legazpi City by the end of the year.

**absinthe** · June 26th, 2011 04:51 PM

Here are more photos of the Dining Car. Taken last June 23, 2011 at Naga City Central Station by Vic Nierva.

From Vic Nierva's FB Page

---

Video of the Bicol V Test Train by Mark Chua passing thru Sucat Station, June 23, 2011. DEL 2540 was brought back home to Tutuban.

Log In | Facebook

**absinthe** · June 26th, 2011 04:59 PM

Bicol Express completes final test run

(From philstar.com with reports from Noriel Oya)

^^ A 20th century legacy, the Bicol Express is as vital to the Bicolano psyche as the sili dish of the same name because it is engraved in collective memory of a generation. Given up for lost, it is on historic come back.

MANILA, Philippines (June 24, 2011) – Bicol Express has completed its final test run this morning when a 6-coach assembly carrying a 157-member contingent arrived at the Tutuban station at 8:45 A.M. from its overnight return trip from Naga City.

This completes a round-trip test run that started in Manila on Wednesday (June 22) evening. The passengers that included Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Junio Ragragio, Jr. arrived at 9:00 A.M. yesterday morning, 4 hours beyond schedule, and stayed in Naga for around 9 hours before the return trip to Manila last night.

Manager Ragragio meet with the members of the local media in Naga City yesterday afternoon.

In both trips the train cut through night rains brought by tropical storm 'Falcon' that hovered east of Luzon, often slowing down and its familiar horn frequently filling the air because curious onlookers who are no longer used to trains coming their way gather along the rail track.

But the passengers inside felt comfortable and were in fact having fun, even as the coaches tilt occasionally because of still uneven tracks in some portions.

A total of 4 test runs have prepared Bicol Express for its historic comeback since PNR canceled its commercial operations in 2006 following the devastation caused by typhoons Milenyo andReming.

The 'mock' passengers that included members of the media, PNR employees, independent bloggers, transportation officials, and joy riders were able to test the amenities that shall become fixtures in all future travels with the Bicol Express.

On top of its Tourist, Family, Executive and Dining Coaches, travelers also enjoyed uninterrupted Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, huge LCD television screens, and real-time Global Postitioning System (GPS) monitoring of the train’s actual locations.

In an on-board interview with philstar.com, Manager Ragragio said the successful trip signaled the readiness of the new PNR in reviving its long-stalled trip to Bicol region.

“Yes, we are ready for commercial operation. I think we need to start it already pero soft-run lang muna,” he said, while reiterating the need to have more trains to ply the Manila-Bicol route.

The PNR chief said that currently only two trains, with six coaches each, are ready for commercial operation while the PNR waits for 50 more coaches to arrive from Japan.

Ragragio said the PNR is now flooded with inquiries on train schedules and fares and noting this travelers' enthusiasm, he said: “I think we need that commercial operation (to Bicol) already.”

On its final test-run, he cited the need to strengthen the train tracks and to clear illegal settlers along the railways. He also highlighted the need for more manpower that will cater to the needs of local commuters and tourists.

“We need more trackmen to guard and maintain the railways, especially during bad weather. Otherwise, the train will slow down, extending its travel time on its route,” he said.

The PNR is yet to finalize the fare rates of the soon-to-be open Manila-Naga route, but hinted that it is much cheaper compared to the other mode of transportation. Some sources float that accomodation with reclining rotating seat can go as low as P600, P800 for sleeper unit and P1200 for individual cabin.

The PNR also aims to extend the route further down south to Legazpi City by the end of the year.

PNR is set to launch its maiden commercial trip to Naga City on June 29, although the transition from resigned former Department of Trasportation and Communication (DOTC) Ping de Jesus to new DOTC head Mar Roxas is seen as potential cause of few days delay.

But come what may, there is no stopping the Bicol Express from rolling again.

**desert fox** · June 26th, 2011 05:51 PM

ang galing....and thats nice....

**absinthe** · June 28th, 2011 01:25 AM

Bicol Express: Riding Again

By Jun Pasaylo (PhilStar)
Updated June 27, 2011 10:25 AM

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Railway made a historic leap in the country’s transport system when it announced the revival of the Bicol Express.

After half a decade of absence, Bicol Express successfully concluded its turn-around Manila-Bicol run Thursday, a trip that signaled cross-country commuters of the re-opening of the train’s regular trips.

For the millions of people and visitors of Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region, the revival of the Bicol Express is not only a rebirth of a railway transport system, but a rich display of their historic legacy.

**absinthe** · June 29th, 2011 01:38 AM

PNR Bicol Train Service is back after almost five years.

I will be joining the Inaugural Run later, will post a Travel Report.

---

PNR's Bicol promo trips open

By KRIS BAYOS (Manila Bulletin)
June 28, 2011, 5:46pm

MANILA, Philippines — Commuters frequently traveling to the Bicol region should take advantage of the promotional run of Philippine National Railways (PNR) Manila to Naga trip Wednesday, June 29.

This as the PNR decided to charge discounted fare rates for the maiden trip of the rehabilitated PNR Bicol Express line, which is set to be launched this evening at 6:30 p.m. The four-car train, donated by Japan Rail East to the PNR to revive the dormant train route, will leave Tutuban in Manila for a 10-hour express trip to Naga City in Camarines Sur.

PNR General Manager Jun Ragrario said the promo run on Wednesday is meant to "test the waters" and will dictate how frequent the Manila-Naga trips should be scheduled. In the meantime, the PNR Bicol Express will serve commuters every other day at 6:30 p.m. until the ridership “stabilizes” and warrants for a daily schedule.

"Wednesday's trip will be a very soft launch. We will experiment with one train run to see the patrons of PNR Manila-Naga trip and also create awareness that the route was revived," he said.

**speed unlimited** · June 29th, 2011 11:28 PM

Problema lang medyo maalog mahirap kung malayo biyahe pa[puntang Bicol. Mga 8 to 10hrs ang biyahe. Sana naman maging safe mahirap na kung mapasok ng mga holdaper.

**absinthe** · July 1st, 2011 10:45 PM

Some photos:

^^ T-611 stopped due to this scenario in Malaguico, Sipocot, Camarines Sur

^^ Mr. Estelito Nierva, PNR Transportation Manager being interviewed by GMA 7's Tina Panganiban-Perez to explain the situation

^^ ABS-CBN's Zen Hernandez getting ready to report

^^ Ito yung lalaking na frantically waving to the loco driver not to proceed. Hinabol nya ung tren. Laki ng tyan yan, labas pa. Bidang-bida yan, ininterview ni Ms. Tina and Zen. :nuts:

^^ Trackworkers rushing to temporarily stabilize the embankment. Aligned na yung riles dyan, nakaangat riles.

^^ Engr. Esperedion B. Regulto doing a final walking check before proceeding to let T-611 pass.

^^ DEL 918 safely through