PNR Bicol Express, are you willing to take a ride?

I am quite at lost here between the connection of rebels and safe passage to Bicol region via PNR. You mean to say there are more rebels along the railroad track than in the highway? Or is it easier for the rebels to take-over a train than a bus? But whatever your answer will be, I don't believe lawless elements are great threat to the region. I have been to the place so many times before. I even went to remote areas where military or police don't frequently monitor. I rode the "padyaks" and took long boat rides deep into the rivers. There maybe some rebels in those areas I went to but they respect the visitors. And up till now, we have not heard of rebels kidnapping people in Bicol. Had you? As for the PNR ride, my friends are planning to take a joy ride from Tutuban to Sucat just to test the ride. I might do the same thing when the Manila-Bicol is open (hopefully before the year ends). I want to see the Bicol scenery in a train.

I experience a 12 hour bus ride from Manila to Legazpi City... and that was not a very pleasant one... and if the PNR will be operational... i will surely give it a try... i know there are lots of rebel in the area... but i sure hope they will not do things to hurt ordinary civilians traveling... besides these rebels are clamouring for change in improvement... reviving the PNR is certainly a big leap to that...

Being a Bicolano myself, I think if they are saying they will rehabilitate the railroads again that is fine for me as there is another option for traveling to Bicol. I remember riding it once when I was still young. It took us longer to travel via train since it took us 10 hours of travel to reach Manila from Naga before. One thing that I observe is the frequent delays in each stop over in each train stations that you have to pass by. When Bus travel was introduce the train trip became much more less popular because of its slowness and frequent problems on the tracks and its maintenance was not that good anymore. I hope this time this will not happen anymore. And the train accident that happened several years ago would not happen again.

I've been to Bicol when my cousin got married there. Our trip by land is uncomfortable the road is accident prone. I'm willing to try it because the trains are new and they rehabilitated the rails. I heard in the news that they going to privatize the PNR so they can maintain the facility. It comfortable to travel by train and it is faster than to travel by car. If I have a chance again to got to Bicol I love to now that there are many tourist spots there and the Bicol region is improving.

Before we always ride train, if we are going to Bicol, many times, since i was a child till my uncle got married and held in Camarines Norte, if i had a chance i will ride PNR Bicol Express, to go again in the provinces of Bicol, because of a cheap fair and the good condition of the train and it's improvement.

I heard that news as well. And you know what, I feel excitement about it. Just this morning, it was in the news that President Arroyo and VP Noli de Castro rode the PNR from Tutuban to Gil Puyat. The fare was 16 pesos. I wanted to try myself because they said that they bought new coaches for this project. This is wonderful at least people will have a better alternative with regard to transportation.

I think it's a good idea to revive the train as a means of transportation for long-distance travels in the Philippines. I have travelled to Bicol several times in the past via bus or plane but I still believe train is a very good alternative ride (as it used to be). You see, I grew up in an area along the railroad (i.e., home along the "riles" but our house was about a hundred meters from the railway). I remember watching the train as it passed by daily from Manila en route to Bicol and back. So, train was really part of my childhood and adolescent years (although I have ridden on the PNR train only once i.e., from Cabuyao to Los Baños). I was told that a few years ago, the PNR stopped its operations (for some reasons - maybe due to lack of budget or dilapidated facility/infra). It also resulted in the sprouting of many squatters along the railways. I think it's high time that the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)through the PNR come up with a long-term plan in utilizing and (especially) modernizing the rail transport system not only in the Manila-Bicol route but in other areas of the country as well (or at least in Luzon). How about from Manila/Cubao to Ilocos or Nueva Ecija or even Cagayan Valley? Tall order, maybe, because of the terrains and other considerations but with careful planning, who knows? I hope the government will allocate more budget to PNR for this purpose. Train is a very efficient means of transportation. In fact, it is still a major public transport system in Europe.

yes, i would definitely ride the train since I haven't ridden one yet only the MRT and the LRT a few times when I was visiting manila. I have been to Bicol on a bus from Lucena City and passed by a train. well, the train was some kind of old but if the government is getting a new one for that route then it would be an adventure riding on the the train. The view over there is really breathtaking.

no, not at all

Although i don't stay in Philippline but for me if my country develope the railway system i will be happy.I want my country build the high speed trians alike Vietnam in today.

I don't like to sit on the transportations for long time include The planes, bus or cars.I think it is tired alot.

Of course I will still take the PNR railroad system just like what we did during the 70's. Why worry about the rebels? They are rebels not bandits, besides during the 70's, there were secret marshals on board the train. I just don't know if the Arroyo gov't will do the same. Honestly, me and my friends together with our wives are looking forward to our Bicol trip. Our second sentimental journey... my friend, riding the Bicol Express is really an experience. You should try it.

i live in Sta. Elena Camarines Norte, first town of Bicol Region to arrive after Quezon Province if you are coming from Manila via bus, nevertheless, it takes 7 hours to get to my town..i have seen the new trains of PNR in a morning program on tv and they look nice, comfortable ( they are air-conditioned) and safe, so i might give it a try.... YES!!!!!

when will this be fully operational...? and how about the facilities especially the air conditioning? Is it true that this has its own fast food area inside the train so it is more convenient to the passengers.

Yeah! Sure! That's what I've been longing and wishing for long time ago. I have a relative in Bicol region and every time I would go there it would be so tiresome riding on long land trip. I was not able to catch a train ride because the government temporarily stopped its operation. Now I heard it also that the government has plan to open it again..that would be exciting...maybe that would be the time I could ride it already...