MANILA, Philippines — The government and its Japanese contractor commenced yesterday with the construction of a railway system that will cut travel time to and from Manila and Bulacan to only 35 minutes upon its completion in two years’ time. The PNR Clark Phase 1 of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Extension Project, a 38-kilometer line spanning from Tutuban to Malolos, will include 10 stations and a depot in Valenzuela City. The project is expected to be operational by 2021 and will have a capacity of over 340,000 passengers daily. PNR Clark Phase 1 will be seamlessly integrated with PNR Clark Phase 2 going to Clark, Pampanga and the PNR South Commuter going to Calamba, Laguna to form one integrated commuter railway system serving commuters travelling to, from, and within NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A. Japan’s Sumitomo-Mitsui Construction Corp. has been selected as the contractor of the PNR Clark Phase 1, while bidding for the Malolos to Clark portion is still ongoing.

Source: Philippine Star February 15, 2019 15:56 UTC