'bicol Express' Train Now Operational

[Dave Hounddriver]

It seems that the train service from Manila to Naga has resumed. It sounds like it may be a bit of fun. I am thinking of driving from Leyte to Naga and taking the train into Manila. Anyone with more info please let me know:Sun Star article:'Bicol Express' train now operationalWednesday, June 29, 2011MANILA -- The Philippine National Railways resumed operations of its Manila-Naga train route WednesdayThis in compliance with President Benigno Aquino III's directive to improve the transportation industry in order to spur economic development in the countryside,"PNR will just have a soft opening of the Bicol Express Wednesday (June 29). The purpose of this measure is to get an impartial and unbiased feedback from the paying passengers and have enough time to improve PNR's services before it proceeds with its grand opening later," the PNR said in a statement.The soft opening was meant to test the market and get objective feedbacks from paying train passengers, the PNR added.The PNR will be giving discounts for the first few trips.(Jill Beltran/Sunnex)

[Call me bubba]

news update 30june MANILA, Philippines – The maiden trip of the revived Bicol Express stalled Thursday morning after rains softened the ground under train tracks in Sipocot, Camarines Sur. A radio dzMM report said the train stopped in Sipocot because the ground was too soft. :th_thholysheep: Passengers had to disembark the train at 5 a.m. and continue their journey to Naga City on board a different train. The DZMM report said test runs of the Bicol Express in past weeks had to stop every 10 minutes to clear away grass from the train's filter. A Philippine National Railways spokesman said the thick foliage made the train like a "giant lawnmower." The Manila-Naga route is said to be the cheapest way to reach Bicol. The 10-hour train ride costs P548 for the tourist section, P950 for family-style cabins and around P1,000 for executive cabins. In comparison, bus fares to Naga cost between P700 to P900. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) said it plans to operate the trains daily. PNR said the fully-air conditioned train to Bicol will soon be equipped with TV screens, free use of a wi-fi network, and a restaurant.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Hope no one steals the track just around the bend

[Mr Lee]

I get a sinking feeling about that train, hope it does not end up with a sudden stop in the mud.

[Call me bubba]

bicol express now not operational THE Bicol Express has stopped running after the floodwaters brought on by the recent storms washed out the ground on portions of the railway, the Philippine National Railways announced Friday.But the train service running from Tutuban in Manila to Naga will be back on Sept. 1, in time for the Peñatrancia Festival in Naga and the 22nd Ad Congress in Camarines Sur, railways general manager Jun Ragrario said.“The suspension of service will just be temporary to resolve the threat of a washout in Malaguico,” Ragrario said.Workers will replace the embankment with a concrete bridge. Construction, which is estimated to cost P10 million, will start Monday and be completed in three to four weeks, he said. The 378-kilometer train system going to Naga ceased operations in 2006 due to typhoon damage. The service resumed June 29, but again was suspended on July 27 after heavy rain battered the region. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2011/august/1/news6.isx&d=2011/august/1

[Call me bubba]

bicol express now operational again The Philippine National Railways announced that it has resumed its operations and now offers daily trips at special fares from Manila to Naga and vice versa as part of the celebration. The feast of Penafrancia has become a yearly tourist attraction in the Bicol region.PNR general manager Junio Ragragio Jr., said the Bicol Express resumed its Manila-Naga City operation since early last week. “The temporary halting of operation during the month of August was in part to prepare the PNR to ensure that our commuters who wish to travel to Naga City to celebrate the feast of Penafrancia can avail of our train services,” he explained. He said the successful construction of the steel bridge in Barangay Malaguico in Sipocot town and other track repairs in the Bicol will help solve the perennial disruption of the Bicol Express’ operation whenever heavy rains wash away the loose soil embankment of the train system's rail tracks. Last month, PNR officials decided to suspend the recently revived operation of the Bicol Express after Typhoon Juaning’s wrath caused soil erosion along the rail tracks in Camarines Sur, making it impassable to trains going to and from Naga City.However, Ragragio clarified that the resumed operation of Bicol Express will still be on a “trial basis” until December. “This means that the operation of the Bicol Express is not in full since we are still testing the market and viability of regular operation and the status of the tracks and trains,” he added. PNR’s Bicol Express provides 6:30 p.m. trips everyday from Tutuban in Manila and from Naga in Camarines Sur and fares will still be on promotional rates at P548 for reclining seats plus a 30% discount for the sleeper and executive coaches. The sleeper coach is now priced at P665 from P950 and P997.50 from P1, 425 for executive sleepers with four berths each. The regular train configuration for the regular trip is one reclining seats and two family sleeper coaches. Ragragio said that on September 16 PNR patrons can avail of a special trip with a train configuration bound for Naga City composed of two family sleeper and one executive cabins and a dining car.The train executive likewise assured the public that PNR engineers have certified all the bridges and rail tracks going to and from Bicol. :thumbsup: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=726767

[Call me bubba]

UPDATE Bicol Express now operational To POLANGUI The people of Albay in the Bicol Region happily welcomed the recent reopening of the Manila-Albay train connection, seeing it as another booster to the economy and tourism in the province.Local folk celebrated and expressed joy at hearing the familiar hoot and clatter of the train’s inaugural trip to Polangui town, Years back, the Manila-Albay line was popularly referred to as “Bicol Express.”To the Albay residents, the train’s hoot and clanking sounds reflected business bustle.The old PNR train service to Albay was decommissioned by a strong typhoon five years ago.PNR had its ‘Explorer Run’ from Tutuban in Manila’s Divisoria district to Polangui last week.Named Mayon Limited, it was designed to test the newly reconstructed railroad tracks and start the train’s regular Manila-Bicol run.Legazpi City, Albay’s provincial capital, is the regional center of the Bicol Region, hence its demand for varied transport systems.PNR‘s Mayon Limited, a name suggested by the governor himself, uses newly refurbished Japan-made train coaches, three of which are air-conditioned and can accommodate 81 passengers in reclining and movable cushioned seats.It could navigate the railroad tracks at a maximum speed of 110 kph.(edited from original ) http://philnews.com/headlines/2011/headline_news_1218c.htm

[Call me bubba]

Bicol express and the website is now operational http://www.pnr.gov.ph/index.htmhttp://www.pnr.gov.p...col_express.htmhttp://www.pnr.gov.p...yon_limited.htmHere is the route map link

Edited March 28, 2012 by Call me Bubba

[OnMyWay]

Bicol express and the website is now operational http://www.pnr.gov.ph/index.htmhttp://www.pnr.gov.p...col_express.htmhttp://www.pnr.gov.p...yon_limited.htmHere is the route map link

This sounds like a fun! Who is going to be the guinea pig and give us a trip report?

[Mike S]

I would if it ever quits raining so the tracks don't sink ........ oooooops maybe not ...... it rains all the time here ...... sorry someone else volunteer ..... :hystery: :hystery: