The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will resume its Legazpi-Naga and vice versa train services on Sunday after an inspection train went off track when it was hit by a tanker truck along Paloyon Crossing in Nabua, Camarines Sur on Saturday.
The Legazpi-Naga (4:49 a.m.) and Naga-Legazpi (5:30 p.m.) routes will be operational anew.
“The Legazpi to Naga route and vice versa must be opened immediately due to its connectivity demand,” PNR said in a statement released by the Department of Transportation.
Operations of the following routes are not affected: Calamba to Lucena (5:45 p.m.); Naga to Sipocot (3:30 p.m.); and Sipocot to Naga 5 p.m.).
The inspection train was clearing the tracks for obstruction to give way to the ensuing passenger train en route to Legazpi when the accident happened around 2:50 a.m.
The driver of the tanker truck was taken to the Bicol Medical Center for treatment and is in stable condition.
The PNR train operator was not hurt.
Traffic along the affected area was back to normal as of posting time after a rerouting scheme was implemented. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to practice the “stop, look and listen” safety principle, especially when crossing railroads, to avoid such accidents.
The Legazpi-Naga operations resumed Feb. 26 after a three-month suspension. The route was halted due to damage sustained by its train sets from weather disturbances in 2024.
The 100-kilometer journey takes approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes.
The train stops at stations in Legazpi, Daraga, Travesia, Ligao, Polangui, Iriga, Pili, and Naga, with flag stops at Kapantawan, Washington Drive, Bagtang, Oas, Matacon, Bato, Lourdes (Old), and Baao.
Regular fares for the Naga-Legazpi trip range from PHP20 to P155. Students, persons with disabilities and senior citizens who present valid identification pay 20-percent discounted fares.