"Bicol Express" Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul Project, a.k.a. PNR Bicol
5 July 2022There will be significant improvements to the Philippine National Railways (PNR) during the next several years. As part of this, the South Long Haul Project, a new 565 km express trains line which extends from Metro Manila to Sorsogon, would be built.
The new railway, also known as PNR Bicol, is expected to reduce travel times when traveling to the southern tier of the country and create employment. However, slashing a 12-hour trip to a four-hour train travel isn't going to be simple. It won't be inexpensive either.
Single largest rail contract signed by DOTr
On January 17, 2022, Secretary Art Tugade signed the DOTr's single biggest rail contract for the first 380 kilometers of the PNR Bicol Project's route from Banlic, Calamba to Daraga, Albay, breaking another record in the process.
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte's 'Build, Build, Build' program includes this $2.8 billion train link between the Philippines and China, and it is so far the most heavily subsidized project between the two countries.
Design-Build contract signed with joint venture of China Railway Group Ltd., China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Co., Ltd and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd (CREC JV) for the design, construction, and electromechanical works for the project with a contract amount of Php 142 billion.
For the record, Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges listed CREC JV as a Fortune Global 500 company with a 5th place ranking among China's top 500 companies in 2021.
Reopening of the PNR San Pablo-Lucena branch line
Almost ten years after it was shut down, the PNR San Pablo-Lucena line reopened on June 25th this year. Philippine National Railways originally stretched from La Union to Albay, and its recent reopening is a positive start toward reviving its former greatness. PNR Bicol, the former "Bicol Express," is one train line that many of you are hoping would be revived. The good news is that the San Pablo-Lucena line is one of the first steps toward this goal.
The PNR San Pablo-Lucena commuter line was shut down in October 2013 following the collapse of an abutment or its supporting structure.
In 2016, the PNR had just 36 stations and 93 kilometers of railway when the Duterte government took office. It is now possible to expand the PNR's rail network to 52 stations and 154 kilometers of railway, servicing Metro Manila, the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, and the province of Camarines Sur.
There is a 30 minute reduction in the customary hour-long journey time between San Pablo in Laguna and Lucena in Quezon, thanks to the inter-provincial commuter service of the PNR San Pablo-Lucena.
Part of the PNR San Pablo-Lucena line's development plan for 2022, the completion of this line increase train service in the region. At the outset, the 44-kilometer San Pablo-Lucena route had two major stations and four flag stops. In the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, it serves four towns and a metropolis as its passengers.
About the “Bicol Express” or the PNR Bicol
The PNR San Pablo-Lucena line is essential to the restoration of the PNR Bicol or 'Bicol Express,' which links Metro Manila to Southern Luzon provinces like as Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon. This restoration is component of the PNR South Long Haul Project, often known as the Bicol Express or PNR Bicol, a huge project that seeks to provide 560 kilometers worth of railway lines.
China Railway Group Ltd., China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Co., Ltd., and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd. signed a P142 billion contract with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in January. This will be the first stage of the PNR Bicol: a 380-kilometer rail route between Banlic, Calamba, and Daraga, Albay-- an exorbitantly high-priced deal for the DOTr comes with a multi-billion price tag.
The PNR Bicol will cover 560 kilometers from Manila to Albay, passing through Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Sur on route there. Additionally, there are proposals for a branch line in Batangas and an extension line in Sorsogon.
The North South Commuter Railway, another train line that utilizes some of the former PNR lines, is helping to facilitate this mammoth undertaking. Between Capas, Tarlac to Calamba, Laguna, it is expected to cover a distance of about 150 kilometers. There will be 37 stops on the line, some of which will be brand new, spread among 26 local government units in three distinct regions.
There is also the proposed Luzon Spine Network of highways that promises to reduce travel time from Ilocos to Bicol to only nine hours.
PNR Bicol First Phase
There will be 39 municipalities and cities involved in the project's initial phase as well as four provinces, and two regions. More than 230 bridges, 10 passenger tunnels, and a depot of 70 hectares are all part of the plan, according to the Department of Transportation. This project is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022, be finished in the second quarter of 2024, and be operational in the third quarter of 2025.
PNR Bicol estimated completion date
It is anticipated that the remaining contract packages for the project's stages and requirements will be completed between 2024 and 2026. For the PNR Bicol's full return to be completed by 2027, according to the DOTr and PNR.
Faster transportation to the south and economic growth
This PNR South Long Haul Project promises a great deal in our nation’s transportation as well as economy. In fact, according to DOTr, Metro Manila-Bicol travel time would be slashed from the current 12 hours to as little as 4 hours once the system is fully operational. Also, a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour will be maintained for passenger trains, while a maximum freight trains speed of 100 kilometers per hour shall be enforced.
In addition to this, hundreds of thousands of employment in connected field are also predicted to be generated by the project, which is estimated to provide more than 10,000 direct jobs per year—giving new job opportunities for Bicol residents!
You can now take advantage of this upcoming PNR South Long Haul Project by investing smartly in the properties around the area. Currently, Lumina Homes has two (2) communities located near this developing PNR project namely:
Lumina Sorsogon- Brgy. Macabog, Sorsogon City
Lumina Legazpi- Sitio San Jose, Brgy. Maslog, Legazpi City
Apart from new jobs and businesses, buying a house and lot package from these communities will appreciate the value of your property, making it a perfect investment for your future!
Hurry and make your home reservations now through our Lumina Homes Online and be practical by securing your finances and family’s future through home investment with Lumina Homes in Bicol!
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