My First PNR Trip From Alabang (after a long while)

After a long wait (and numerous reschedulings), the new and improved PNR has reached Alabang. It commenced on April 15, 2010. However, it is not as smooth as we all expect.

First thing, the new station is quite far from any entry point, either from Montillano Street (where the old station is located) or from Molina Street, a small side street beside Alabang Starmall. And there’s no entry/exit point from the mall, which the station is located on its back.

Another thing, there is a discrepancy between the fare when you buy your ticket at the station. From Alabang to Sta. Mesa, it should be PhP15.00 only, whereas on the station, they charge you at Php20.00. The train conductor told us that the fare should be adjusted from the flatrate PhP10.00 to PhP15.00 from Paco to Sta. Mesa, and from PhP15.00 to PhP20.00 from España onwards. I went to Buendia, paying PhP15.00.
Anyway, the new and semi-improved Alabang PNR station is a welcome development to all of us. On the other hand, the PNR management should address their numerous issues quickly.

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Passengers patiently waiting for the train

No ticket booth, no problem (as long as they overcharge the fare.)

There are passengers, but not as many as before.

I don’t know with this one though.

The end of the station. Construction in the area by TransCo.

The train arriving at the new station

Passengers waiting to board the train

The gap between the train and the station.

The train still waiting for passengers

A view of Montillano Street as the train passes it by.

Construction of New Alabang PNR Station

These photos are from the ongoing construction of the new Alabang PNR Station, specially made for the PNR’s DMU units. Supposedly, these DMUs should start their service at Alabang last April 4, but was postponed since the station was not yet finished, and some rail sections between Sucat and Alabang aren’t finished too.

The new station is just behind the Alabang Starmall, and is a few meters away from the old Alabang station.

Some children playing around.

That is the only way to go to the platform area… I hope as of now.

Some work around the station

Another view of the station

This shows that the rail rehabilitation works seems to end here… I hope it’s not.

The gate at Starmall (left side) might be the point of entry towards this new station.

The only stair

All aircon trains cancelled. (at the old Alabang station)

Alabang Mural

This is the PNR Alabang Station, well, not as busy as before because it only serves two trips, one northbound trip to Tutuban in the morning, and a southbound trip to Binan in the evening. Rehabilitation works is done only until Bicutan, that’s why there’s no trip for new trains here in Alabang. Now, the station is the main terminus of the trolley.

Well, actually, it’s just an opening for the main entry

In the railway forums in Skyscraper City, the older members were talking about a mural in Alabang made by the informal settlers. This particular mural was made during the demolition of the illegal structures along the PNR’s right-of-way in Alabang. But according to them, it’s not the informal settlers themselves who made this, but some leftist groups who are trying to gain sympathy from the displaced informal settlers.

The mural from Montillano Street.

This is the “best” angle to shoot this mural. This is about five meters long, between Molina and Montillano streets in Alabang. As you can see, there are still some parts that are not seen here.

The rats in the mural represents the informal settlers. Obviously, they are not happy with the demolition happened.

On this part, the snake represents every government agency involved in the informal settler’s displacement from the PNR ROW.

[PNR Update] Tunasan ROW (Artistic Shots)

Children bathing at a poso.

The remnants of the informal settlers civilization.

An abandoned basketball court

A more artistic shot of the Luntiang Pilipinas PNR Style

Mamang sorbeterong naglalakad sa riles

A speeding trike in the PNR ROW.

Another remnant of the informal settlers’ civilization: a battered sofa.

[PNR Update] Tunasan ROW Part 2

A week or two ago, I saw some construction happening in this part of the PNR Right of Way (ROW) in Tunasan, Muntinlupa. That’s why as I navigated the ROW, I also investigated what’s happening here.

Pictures of the equipment

Apparently, this is not related to the rehabilitation of the PNR. This is a project of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) to add more posts. According to them, the existing ones (located at the other side of the ROW) is not enough to supply the increasing demand of electric consumers.