The Southrail operation of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) will commence after the celebration of the Peñafrancia festival in Naga City because the new train coaches suited for long distance travel are not expected to arrive on time.

According to PNR operations manager Estelito Nierva, they have initially targeted to start the commercial operation of the Tagkawayan, Quezon to Del Jallego, Camarines Sur route in time for the Peñafrancia festival next month but the shipment of the train coaches from Kawasaki, Japan will be delayed until the last week of September.

“We were expecting that at least 10 sleeper coaches suitable for long distance travel will arrive by the last week of August but the manufacturer in Japan could not make it on time. So even if we have already rehabilitated the tracks covering the Tagkawayan-Del Jallego route, there are no new train coaches that will run along them,” Nierva said.

Aside from the 10 sleeper coaches, at least 200 commuter type coaches are also expected for delivery starting next month. Nierva said that come October, train sets comprising three coaches each will be ready for commercial operations from Manila to Ligao, Albay.

“Once delivery of the new train coaches is made, even if staggered, we will open the Bicol operation from Manila to Ligao, Albay, to provide our riding public the cheapest means of transportation they could use to visit their provinces. After all, the PNR was established for our less privileged people,” he said.

Nierva encouraged the public to use the PNR to visit Southern Luzon, once it is fully operational, and consider it as the most economical transportation means available to them.

“With the rising cost of oil products, increasing of toll rates, and looming implementation of value added tax on toll, the train system will be the cheapest means of transportation available to our riding public. We at PNR hope that our commuters will realize that and patronize the PNR,” he said.