Public transport by rail is one of the best ways to avoid the debilitating traffic on the road, because it offers commuters more convenience and can shorten their travel time within a few minutes. It serves as an efficient way to transport millions of passengers in the metro so that they can reach their destination smoothly.
Traveling by train, however, can often be more difficult by overcrowded train wagons, normalized long lines and even malfunctions on the train, the track and the systems. The Department of Transportation (DOTR) recognizes these apparent inconveniences and has tried to improve the experience of traveling by train for Filipino commuters.
While this year is celebrating its 126th birthday, the DOTR shows its determined deployed to make rail transport more efficient, more effective and safer, as evidenced by the progress of numerous projects.
Metro Manila Metro
The first underground railway system in the country, the Metro Manila Subway (MMS) project, wants to change traveling radically and help commuters to avoid those annoying traffic jams.
The metro of Metro Manila covers 34 kilometers (km) and is considered the deepest metro in Southeast Asia with an average depth of 30 meters. The railway line, praised as the ‘crown jewel’ of the public transport system of the country, is expected to reduce the travel time between Valenzuela City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Parañaque City from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes. transports 500,000 passengers per day. It will travel through eight cities and serve the east side of Metro Manila.
Together with the armed forces of the Philippines (AFP), the DOTR has launched the operations of the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), which are used to build underground tunnels. A total of 19 TPMs will be used to speed up the construction of the underground rail system.
The metro of Metro Manila currently has a progress of 18.24% and is planning to make progress this year. Given the considerable progress, the metro strives to be fully operational in 2029.
North-South Forest Railway
The 147 kilometer long North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) will offer long-distance transport and connectivity between three regions in Luzon. With a capacity to operate 800,000 passengers, the project wants to improve access to high-quality passenger transport services, reducing the long travel time between North and South Luzon from four to two hours.
The NSCR will include 36 stations that will connect Manila with the regions of North and South Luzon. The northern line runs 266 km from Manila to San Fernando, La Union. The expansion line goes from San Jose, Nueva Ecija to Cagayan, and a sidelines will connect Tarlac and San Jose.
The southern line is now divided into the South Commuter Railway (Tutuban to Calamba) and the South Long-Haul (SLH) project (Muntinlupa, Metro Manila to Matnog, Sorsogon). The SLH project will cover 561 kilometers and connect various cities, economic zones and international ports.
The construction of the rail project is divided into three phases: phase 1 (Tutuban, Manila, to Malolos, Bulacan), phase 2 (Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga) and PNR Calamba (Solis, Manila to Calamba, Laguna).
The Malolos-Manila and Clark extensions are expected to be completed this year. Moreover, the Department is looking forward to being partially operational at the end of 2028, with the aim of complete completion in 2029.
MetroPorlines 4 and 7
The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Lines 4 and 7 also build up the rail network in Mega Manila.
The 24 km long MRT-7 connects the bustling cities of the northeast of Metro Manila and consists of 14 stations and extends from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The aim is to reduce the travel time from approximately two to three hours to 35 minutes, and is expected to serve 300,000 passengers per day and a maximum of 800,000 passengers.
On the other hand, the 12.7 kilometer long MRT-4 will contain 10 stations, which connect Ortigas Avenue and Epifanio de Los Santos Avenue with Taytay, Rizal. This railway line is expected to illuminate the traffic jams in the eastern metro manila and transport at least 400,000 passengers every day.
It is currently expected that MRT-7 will be partially put into use at the end of 2025, while the complete operation will take place between 2027 and 2028. MRT-4 is now still in the pre-construction phase and still has to complete the project details, including technical design and acquisition of land. The DOTR is planning to start construction in 2026.
Expansion of Light Rail-Passing Line 1
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) -1 Cavite Extension is another railway project that has to offer high-quality transport to commuters in the metro. Due to the expansion, another 11.7 kilometer long railway line is added, with eight new stations that connect Pasay City to Bacoor, Cavite. This upgrade is the aim of Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) to offer public transport of world class, making every commuting experience more efficient and easier. The LRT-1 extension is on track and achieved a completion of 74%last year. Last November it also started with partial operations, in which the stations Redemptorist, Mia, Asia World (Pitx), Ninoy Aquino and Dr. Santos (Sucat) were opened. The new stations are expected to increase the estimated number of daily passengers from 320,000 to 400,000.
Nevertheless, the entire expansion is expected to welcome 300,000 extra passengers on the LRT-1 line, so that the total capacity of 800,000 passengers will be expanded as soon as it will be fully operational in 2031.
“The LRT-1 extension is an important public-private partnership (PPP) project, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity with the southern part of Metro Manila, reduce traffic jams and commuters will offer a faster and easier travel option, “LRMC said in an earlier explanation.
United Grand Central Station
The Unified Grand Central Station in Quezon City, which serves as an important transport junction in Metro Manila, will connect all important railway lines in Metro Manila: LRT-1 (located in the west and south of Metro Manila) with MRT-3 (central part of Metro Manila), MRT-7 (north of Metro Manila) and the Metro Manila Subway (eastern part of Metro Manila).
With the construction of the Unified Grand Central Station, commuters can expect a large increase in connectivity, shorter travel times, reduced dependence on road transport and a reduction in traffic jams in the metro.
From 2024 the construction of the station has reached 81%. – Angela Kiara S. Brillantes