MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking forward to a global partnership and a “stronger private sector participation” for the country's largest railway project.
According to Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, several countries with “extensive railway experience” have expressed their interest in the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).
“We hope that those who are considering coming for the first time in the Philippines receive the message that we are open for business to anyone, and anywhere in the world,” Batan said.
He also noted that 22 foreign and local companies have shown their interest in supporting the NSCR concession.
“What we are working on is something that will change the lives of Filipinos. The goal is simple: to give back time that has been taken from millions of commuters in this country for decades,” he added.
Once fully operational, the NSCR will reduce the travel time between Clark International Airport in Pampanga and Calamba, Laguna to around three hours from the current four-hour land trip.
The 35-station commuter line, which expands across Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon, is expected to offer around 350,000 jobs to Filipinos and “to serve upeto 750,000 passengers daily at full capacity.”
The DOTr is positioning the NSCR as a flagship project under the government’s “Bagong Pilipinas.”
