President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has officially approved the operations and maintenance (O&M) project for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), a pivotal step forward for the administration’s “Build Better More” agenda aimed at revolutionizing mass transport and enhancing economic connectivity across Luzon. The approval was granted on Tuesday during the second meeting of the Economic Development Council, chaired by the President.
The NSCR O&M project will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring the efficient, reliable, and sustainable operation of one of the nation’s most ambitious rail systems. This initiative is set to significantly improve the daily commute and facilitate the movement of goods, driving economic growth in the regions it serves.
The NSCR is an expansive 147.26-kilometer elevated railway line designed to seamlessly connect Clark in Pampanga to Calamba in Laguna. This vital link will dramatically ease mobility across Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon, fostering greater accessibility for millions of Filipinos. The system will feature 35 stations, including 31 elevated, three at-grade, and one underground, with strategically located depots in Clark, Valenzuela, and Calamba.
Upon its opening year, the NSCR is projected to serve up to 800,000 passengers daily, with capacity gradually increasing to a million passengers per day. To cater to diverse travel needs, the line will offer two types of services:
- Commuter Service: Will deploy 51 trainsets, each capable of accommodating up to 2,242 passengers.
- Limited Express Service: Will operate with seven trainsets, each with a capacity of 386 passengers.
A significant leap in efficiency, trains on the NSCR line will operate at speeds ranging from 120 to 130 kilometers per hour, a substantial improvement from the current average of 20 to 40 kilometers per hour. This will drastically cut travel times, reducing the journey from Clark to Calamba to approximately three hours. The Limited Express service will further shorten trips, bringing Clark to Alabang travel time down to about two hours, with a minimum train headway estimated at three minutes.
Furthermore, the NSCR system is designed for integrated operations with the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), particularly along the FTI to Bicutan segment. This integration will create seamless mobility across major transit hubs, enhancing the overall efficiency of the country’s public transportation network.
Pre-operations for the NSCR are scheduled to commence in March 2026, with full operations targeted for January 2032. The total project cost is estimated at PHP 229.32 billion, representing a significant investment in the Philippines’ infrastructure development and future economic prosperity.
