PHILIPPINE National Railways (PNR) is to suspend the operation of both of Metro Manila’s non-electrified 1067mm-gauge commuter lines for five years from March 28. The suspension will allow construction of the Pesos 873.62bn ($US 15.8bn) North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, work on which started last year.
PNR will suspend services on the Metro Commuter North line, which currently runs between Governor Pascual and Tutuban, while Metro Commuter South services between Tutuban and Alabang, will be similarly suspended, in both cases until 2029. Services were already suspended by PNR on Metro Commuter South between Alabang and Calamba last summer.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary, Mr Jaime Bautista, says the suspension could save the government at least Pesos 15.8bn in construction costs and accelerate the NSCR project by eight months.
“PNR services will be suspended to also ensure that passengers are safe while the construction of the NSCR is underway,” Bautista says.
DoTr has arranged replacement bus services for the duration of the suspension.
The NSCR, a 147km standard gauge line from Clark, Pampanga, to Calamba, Laguna, is expected to reduce travel times between these areas to less than 2 hours. It will have a capacity for 800,000 passengers per day and will help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila, while helping to stimulate economic growth along its route.
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