The inaugural run of the new Philippine National Railway train at Dela Rosa station in Makati City on January 28, 2021. RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER
Updated on March 8, 2024 at 11: 32 a.m.
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will suspend its operations in Metro Manila for five years, starting March 28, to give way to 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 temporarily be suspended.
The PNR told INQUIRER.net that the suspension would take at least five years amid the construction of the NSCR.
READ: DOTr says 5-year halt in PNR operations cost-efficient, safer
“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.
“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.
READ: PNR: Laguna to Pampanga North-South Commuter Railway done in 2028
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.
The southbound buses will pass through 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).
The northbound buses will pass through 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).
READ: LTFRB opening new routes to offset suspension of PNR operations
The Tutuban-Alabang (Southbound) bus trips will start at 7:30 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.
On the other hand, the Alabang-Tutuban (Northbound) bus trips will start at 5:00 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 11:00 am, 11:45 a.m., 5:00 p.m., and 6:10 p.m.
While operations in Metro Manila will be suspended, PNR stations will remain operational in Southern Luzon.