DOTr inspects new PNR trains that will run from Manila to Bulacan

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has inspected the new train sets for the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1 that arrived last November 2021. DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade led the inspection of the trains purchased from the Japan Transport Engineering Company and Sumitomo Corporation. 

PNR Clark Phase 1 new train sets

The new trains will be part of the PNR Clark Phase 1, a 38-kilometer railway that will pass through the cities of Manila, Caloocan, and Valenzuela, connecting it to Bulacan. The project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. 

The PNR Clark Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024. Once complete, it is said to cut travel time from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan to only 35 minutes. The railway system is also expected to accommodate up to 300,000 passengers daily. As of this writing, the PNR Clark Phase 1 has a 53.9 percent overall progress rate.   

“Oras na matapos ang PNR Clark Phase 1, magiging 35 minutes na lamang ang travel time mula Tutuban, Manila patungong Malolos, Bulacan, mula sa current 1.5 hours,” Tugade said. 

(Once PNR Clark Phase 1 is complete, travel from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan will be reduced to 35 minutes from the current 1.5 hours)

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade inspects PNR Clark Phase 1 new trains

The PNR Clark Phase 1 is part of the North-South Railway Project that’s now referred to as the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) system. The said railway project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in 2015, and it has two segments: North Line and South Line. 

Tugade added that the delivery of the NSCR’s 58 eight-car train sets, or a total of 464 train cars has started after the first train set was delivered last November 2021. 

The NSCR North Line is where the PNR Clark Phase 1 is included but the grand plan also features a 266 km long-haul line from Manila to San Fernando, La Union. On the other hand, the NSRP South Line will consist of commuter railway operations between Tutuban and Calamba as well as a long-haul passenger railway between Tutuban and Legazpi, Albay. 

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