MANILA, Philippines -- Two weeks before the Philippine National Railways (PNR) revives its trip to the Bicol Region, train coaches that will be deployed for the interprovincial trip are being readied but fare rates for the Manila-Naga trip are not yet finalized.

This as the PNR Board is still deliberating the fare rates due of passengers who will travel 378 kilometers from Tutuban in Manila to Naga in Camarines Sur aboard PNR air-conditioned coaches for nine hours of trip.

PNR Operations Manager Estelito Nierva said fare rates are “still under evaluation” and that the PNR Board is expected to finalize the fare rates “very soon” so as to entice passengers to try travelling to Southern Luzon through trains instead of diesel-driven buses starting June 29.

“The proposed fare rates are still under evaluation and the Board is expected to issue the final fare rates as soon as possible. What I can assure the public as of now is that the fare rates will be competitive with the fare rates of other modes of transport to the Bicol Region,” he said.

Based on existing LTFRB-approved fare matrix for provincial buses going to the Bicol Region, passengers travelling from Pasay or Alabang to Naga are usually charged P650 for air-conditioned passenger buses or P500 for ordinary units.