PNR to suspend Malabon-Calamba route to make way for North-South Commuter Railway project

MANILA: Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez announced in the hearing of the House Committee on February 16 that the Philippine National Railways (PNR) will suspend the Governor Pascual, Malabon-Calamba route for at least five years in order to speed up the construction of the new North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).

Chavez said that the construction will be completed eight months earlier once the PNR suspends the said route where the NSCR tracks and posts will be installed.

Chavez also claimed that the early completion of the NSCR project will cause the government to save up to P15.18 billion.

It is also anticipated that the  Alabang-Calamba route will also be suspended by the end of May.

On October 6, 2022, contracts were signed for contract packages S-04, S-05, S-06, and S-07 of the NSCR extension from Tutuban to Calamba. These include the PNR stations from Alabang, Muntinlupa to Calamba City, Laguna, as well as the train depot in Barangay Banlic in Calamba City.

The contract for Manila-Alabang is expected to be granted in March. Because of this, it is anticipated that PNR operations on the Tutuban-Alabang route will also be suspended in October.

The DOTr and PNR are also having discussions with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding the alternative transportation that will be provided to the 30,000 passengers that will be affected by the suspension of some PNR routes, according to Chavez.

“Magsasagawa ng pormal na anunsyo ang DOTr at PNR dalawang buwan bago ang opisyal na paghinto ng operasyon ng mga tren (The DOTr and PNR will make a formal announcement two months before the official suspension of train operations),” Chavez stated.

The Governor Pascual, Malabon-Calamba route might be suspended as early as May.

NSCR is one of the newest train systems in the entire East Asia. It will have Tutuban-Clark International Airport and Tutuban-Calamba routes which are expected to be completed in 2026.

One of the main reasons for suspending PNR operations is public safety.

“Ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga pasahero ng PNR ang laging number one sa prayoridad ng pamunuan ng PNR. Ang magkaakibat na isyu ng kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga pasahero ng PNR ang parating gumagabay sa mga desisyon ng pamunuan ng PNR. Hindi pahihintulutan ng pamunuan ng PNR na malagay sa panganib ang mga pasahero ng PNR habang ginagawa ang NSCR. May sapat na panahon upang ihanda ang lahat ng mga kinakailangan para ipatupad ang paggamit ng mga alternatibong transportasyon sa mga PNR train (The safety and welfare of PNR passengers is always the number one priority of the PNR management. The interrelated issues of safety and welfare of PNR passengers are always considered in the decisions of the PNR management. The PNR management will not allow PNR passengers to be endangered while the NSCR project is being carried out. There is enough time to prepare everything needed to implement the use of alternative transportation for PNR trains),” Chavez said.

Chavez assured that every trip will be more comfortable and convenient once the NSCR is completed.

“Mas magiging mabilis at mas komportable ang biyahe para sa mga pasahero na galing sa mga probinsya papuntang Kamaynilaan. Malaki rin ang ma-iaambag ng NSCR sa pag-unlad at pagsigla ang ating ekonomiya (Trips will be faster and more comfortable for passengers coming from provinces to Metro Manila. NSCR will also greatly contribute to the development and revitalization of our economy),” Chavez said.

Photo from Philippine National Railways

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