The Philippine National Railways (PNR) on Thursday, October 6, reopened its Calamba - Lucena - Calamba line which will traverse the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.

The maiden trip of the relaunched Calamba - Lucena route departed the Calamba Station at 6:30 PM, hours after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of four North - South Commuter Railway (NSCR) projects.

This reopened line is now ready to cater to commuters from Calamba, San Pablo, and Lucena.

Aside from the comfort that it will offer to commuters, the reopened line is expected to have a shorter travel time from Lucena, San Pablo, and Calamba, and vice versa.

The morning trip from Lucena station leaves at 4:50 AM, while the last trip from Calamba is at 6:30 PM.

Running time from Lucena to Calamba is two hours and 33 minutes. While the running time from Lucena to San Pablo is one hour and 32 minutes.

The minimum fare from Lucena to San Pablo is priced at PHP 15, while the minimum fare from Lucena to Calamba is priced at PHP 20.
The reopened line will offer nine flag makeshift stops along Pansol, Masili, Los Banos, College, IRRI, Tiaong (Lalig), Candelaria, Lutucan, and Sariaya. Meanwhile, the main stations will be located in Lucena, San Pablo, and Calamba.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said this project will not only provide opportunities for tourism, but also faster travel time options for passengers between the provinces.

“Patuloy na mabibigyang kulay hindi lang ang turismo, kundi pati na rin ang mas mabilis, at mas komportableng biyahe para sa mga pasahero na galing sa mga probinsya ng Laguna at ng Quezon,” the DOTr Secretary said.

“This railway will offer safe, affordable, convenient, and comfortable transport to Filipinos, while accelerating the country’s economic rebound,” he said.

During its peak years, the PNR had the most extensive network of railways in the country, operating from Dagupan to Naga. (PNR)