The inaugural run of the new Philippine National Railway train at Dela Rosa station in Makati City on Jan 28, 2021. - INQUIRER Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1916008/pnr-to-suspend-metro-manila-operations-starting-march-28#ixzz8Tr365Xv2 Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
MANILA: The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will suspend its operations in Metro Manila for five years, starting March 28, to give way for the construction of the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.
According to the PNR, operations in stations Governor Pascual-Tutuban and Tutuban-Alabang, the two opposite end stations in Metro Manila, will be temporarily suspended.
The PNR told INQUIRER.net that the suspension would take at least five years amid the construction of the NSCR.
“During the PNR suspension of operations in Metro Manila, the construction of the NSCR will be expedited by eight months, and save at least P15.18 billion from the project,” the PNR said in a statement on Friday (March 8).
“According to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, PNR services will be suspended to also ensure that passengers are safe while the construction of the NSCR is underway,” it added.
However, the PNR also announced that it will begin partial operations from Clark to West Valenzuela by the end of 2027.
“As early as the end of 2027, we will be partially operating from Clark to West Valenzuela,” the PNR told INQUIRER.net
Meanwhile, to offset the effects of the railway’s suspension in Metro Manila, the PNR announced that the DOTr and the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) arranged alternative bus routes for passengers affected by the halting of operations. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
