With the reopened PNR line, travel time between San Pablo in Laguna and Lucena in Quezon will be reduced to 30 minutes from the usual one hour by land.
IN his final activities before stepping down from office, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte commended the Department of Transportation (DOTr), under the leadership of Secretary Art Tugade and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) for the successful reopening of the PNR San Pablo-Lucena line today, 25 June 2022.
The landmark activity marks the start of the operations of the said commuter line, which ceased operations in October 2013 after the collapse of an abutment or its supporting structure. Starting Sunday, 26 June 2022, the said PNR line will once again serve passengers going to and from Laguna and Quezon. It can serve up to 3,683 passengers at any given time.
“I’d like to recognize the DOTr headed by Art, the Philippine National Railways, and local government units for making this happen. We know that with effective transport system, we make places more accessible and easier to manage thereby strengthening trade within rural and urban areas,” President Duterte said.
“In the previous years, we have championed programs that fill in the gaps in the transportation sector. Now, I urge the DOTr, especially those who will be left behind and those who will take over the mantle of leadership to continue leading the improvement of our railways system,” President Duterte added.
The San Pablo-Lucena line stretches 44-kilometers with two main stations and four flag stops, serving four municipalities and one city in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.
“Kanina kausap ko si mahal nating alkalde, sabi niya sakin, ‘Art, alam mo ba na mahigit 10 years walang tren dito sa lugar na ‘to?’ Mr. Mayor, today, the train is coming back. The Filipino people will now experience again the wonders of mass transport system through the use of a train,” Secretary Tugade said.
“Itong mobility, convenience, and comfort. Three words that sums up the mandate of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his term to make the Filipino life comfortable,” Secretary Tugade added.
The PNR San Pablo-Lucena line is vital in restoring the PNR Bicol or “Bicol Express,” which connects Metro Manila to Southern Luzon provinces, including Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon. With the reopened PNR line, travel time between San Pablo in Laguna and Lucena in Quezon will be reduced to 30 minutes from the usual one hour by land.
