5-year halt in Metro Manila train begins March 28

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will stop its operations in Metro Manila starting March 28 to clear the alignment where the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) will be built.

In particular, the PNR will suspend its daily schedule of trips between Governor Pascual in Malabon City and Tutuban in Manila, as well as between Tutuban and Alabang in Muntinlupa City.

The stopping of operations of PNR services in Metro Manila will speed up construction of NSCR by eight months and save the government at least P15.18 billion in the project, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

With PNR operations closed, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects the land acquisition and relocation of utilities for the NSCR to be sped up, minimizing the chances of delays to prevent costs from going up.

The government will build the NSCR on top of the PNR alignment.

Earlier estimates from the DOTr showed that as many as 35,000 Filipinos travel via the PNR on a daily basis, as the railway offers one of the cheapest ways to go around the metro.

The DOTr, through the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board, arranged a special bus service to transport commuters between Alabang and Tutuban.

The buses will run a total of 12 trips every day, six northbound and six southbound, and will drop off and pick up passengers close to the PNR route.

The Alabang to Tutuban route – available at 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6:10 p.m. – could pick up and drop off passengers at Alabang (Starmall), Manila South Road, East Service Road, Alabang (Entry), SLEX, Bicutan Exit, Bicutan Entry, Nichols Exit, Osmeña Highway, Quirino Avenue, Legarda Street, Recto Avenue, Abad Santos Avenue, Mayhaligue Street and Divisoria (Tutuban).

 The Tutuban to Alabang route would bring commuters to Divisoria (Tutuban), Mayhaligue Street, Abad Santos Avenue, Recto Avenue, Legarda Street, Quirino Avenue, Nagtahan Flyover, Mabini Bridge, Quirino Avenue, Osmeña Highway, Nichols Entry, SLEX, Bicutan Exit, Bicutan Entry and Alabang (Starmall), and would be available at 7:30 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 3 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.