PNR to halt operations in December—will return after 4 years

The Philippine National Railways is set to stop operations in December 2023.

From CNN Philippines, via DOTr

More railway construction

According to CNN Philippines, the halting of PNR’s operations will give way for the construction of the PHP 873.6 billion North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista this will start after Christmas so the public can still ride the train to and from Divisoria during the holiday season.

Around 2,000 commuters will be affected by this move, he noted. Buses will be deployed to cater to the public, he added.

Relocation of informal settlers living along the train track will begin next week, Bautista said.

We're working closely with the other government agencies to relocate them. Ang maganda dito [What's good about this], most of them who will be relocated, will be relocated in the same city, he said.

The Alabang-Calamba trips were earlier halted also due to the construction.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has said it is considering opening bus and jeep routes amid the suspension of PNR operations.

According to Bautista, the railway project will provide 51 train sets for the Alabang-Calamba route and seven express train sets for the Clark, Pampanga - Ninoy Aquino International Airport route.

Once complete, train fares will begin at PHP 22 with an additional PHP 2 per kilometer, the transportation chief noted.

Expected to be completed by 2028, the 147-kilometer NSCR project will connect the Clark airport to Malolos, Bulacan, and Calamba, Laguna to Blumentritt in Manila.

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Via: CNN Philippines