PNR to ply Tutuban-Calamba route starting Dec. 2

The Philippine National Railways will inaugurate a new station in Calamba, Laguna on Tuesday evening.

The Department of Transportation and Communications said two trains will ply the Manila-to-Calamba route, whose first trip will leave Tutuban at 7 p.m. of Dec. 2.

 

A news release posted on the Official Gazette said the fare is pegged at P45. It also said the Calamba route will begin with two daily trips, but the service may be expanded to four trips by early 2015.

 

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said this is the seventh station the PNR opened in the past 12 months. "Clearly, we are on the right track in rehabilitating the railway system and soon reviving the service to Naga and Legazpi,” he said.

 

He added the expansion of PNR’s commuter rail service "provides affordable and convenient access to jobs and schools to more stakeholders south of Metro Manila."

 

"It will shorten traveling time for those who currently take the bus, and allow those who bring their own cars to bypass traffic,” he added.

 

With the new route, PNR operations will be extended to 56 kilometers from the current 53 kilometers.

 

"It will serve an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 passengers everyday in addition to the current 70,000 daily passengers," the DOTC said.

 

In December 2013, the PNR opened four new stations: Muntinlupa, San Pedro, Biñan, and Sta. Rosa. This was followed by two more station openings in Cabuyao and Mamatid in March. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News