'A New Lease on Life for Philippine Train Travel'

A New Lease on Life for Philippine Train Travel

07/24/09 01:50

The Philippines has a long history of railway transportation. The first railway tracks were built in the island of Luzon more than a century ago under the supervision of Spanish authorities. The first railway line, which connected the cities of Dagupan and Manila, was called Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan.

The railway line did not stop there. It was continuously extended so, by the time World War II started, the railway network, whose name was changed to the Manila Railway Corporation (MRC), reached as far as the Bicol region in the South.

During the Commonwealth period, massive improvements in public transportation were spearheaded by the American government. Unfortunately, this only included highways and the country's road system, leaving the railway network to itself. Rehabilitation projects in the succeeding decades were accomplished, but none of those made much impact, until such time that the company, now named the Philippine National Railways (PNR), cut off its operations to some other provinces. Old age and informal settlers living by the railroads eventually led to the line's decay.

This is all set to change. The Arroyo government, through the guidance of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), revitalized the PNR and gave it a whole new look altogether. PNR imported two diesel multiple units (DMU) from South Korea for its operations in Metro Manila, and refurbished the old coaches, which will continue to serve the rest of the network's routes. Plans are also underway to revive the old routes that the trains had used to ply. This modernization movement is a key project under the Arroyo administration's ten-point economic agenda.

I once dreamed of going on a train ride, like those usually featured in Europe. This recent development in Philippine transportation made me optimistic that I don't have to go so far just to be able to experience it.

 

Hello,

Just wanted to say that I enjoyed your blog posting.

It is certainly great to see the Philippines getting the railways they deserve, but sadly they will probably never reach the extent they once were - though we can hope.

Regards

Brad Peadon

President: Philippine Railway Historical Society

http://Philippine-Railways.blogspot.com

I appreciate the info given by the Phil Railway Historical society. You guys have done a good job.

I chanced on your site after surfing for train schedules since I wanted to try out this new train. Unfortunattely, I could not get any timetable from the PNR official site. I will try the emails listed and hope for the best

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