THE Transportation department said Wednesday that it is seeking to maintain the timeline for the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1, which runs from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos, Bulacan, with the Bocaue Station now at an overall progress rate of 23.18% and the Balagtas Station at 23.97%.
The department expects that in less than a year, nine more stations will be making significant progress along the 38-kilometer line.
“Construction is ongoing for all these stations,” Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John R. Batan said during the inspection of the rail line’s Balagtas station Wednesday.
PNR Clark Phase 1, which is one of the three segments of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, is expected to serve around 300,000 passengers daily and reduce travel time between Tutuban and Malolos, Bulacan to 35 minutes from the current hour and 30 minutes.
The 147-kilometer NSCR project, which will have 35 stations be serviced by 464 train cars, is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. It will run from Clark in Central Luzon to Calamba, Laguna.
“In less than two years’ time, we will see six more stations taking shape within the 53 kilometers of PNR Clark 2 from Malolos to Clark International Airport,” Mr. Batan noted.
“And by next year, we will see 19 more stations start construction within the 56 kilometers of PNR Calamba from Manila to Calamba, Laguna,” he added, noting that bidding for all the nine contracts of the southern segment is almost complete. — Arjay L. Balinbin