THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it is hoping to begin partial operations of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) by 2027.
In a statement, Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Jeremy S. Regino said the construction of the Tutuban-Malolos (N1) and Malolos-Clark (N2) segments are on schedule, with full operations set for 2029.
Partial operations of the Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, section of the NSCR project were initially scheduled for 2026, according to the PNR website.
The DoTr said that the partial operations from West Valenzuela to Malolos are expected to begin by the second quarter of 2027, while full operations will likely start in the third quarter of 2029.
The DoTr said right-of-way has been obtained by the contractor for four out of the six stations.
The 147-kilometer NSCR will connect Malolos, Bulacan with Clark International Airport, and Tutuban, Manila with Calamba, Laguna.
The P873-billion project is being co-financed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank. It will have 35 stations and three depots.
Once fully operational the entire NSCR system is projected to reduce travel time between Clark and Calamba to two hours, against the current four to 4.5 hours. — Ashley Erika O. Jose