NSCR promises 40 minute travel time from Alabang to Clark

The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) promises commuters from Buendia in Makati or Alabang, Muntinlupa to reach the Clark International Airport in Pampanga in less than an hour.

In Joseph Morong’s report in 24 Oras on Thursday, the high tech train system stretches from Calamba, Laguna to Clark, Pampanga. 

The West Valenzuela-Clark segment of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) will be the first to open and will operate in the first quarter of 2028, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

The report said that the Balagtas Station in Bulacan is 95% complete and expected to be the first one to be completed. Meanwhile, the Clark Station beside Clark International Airport is 80% done.

But the whole project itself is just 40% done, as the DOTr is facing a challenge in the right of way particularly in the Valenzuela to Sucat, Paranaque segment.

“Dadaan po tayo sa Buendia, sa EDSA (It will pass through in Buendia and in EDSA) … and then we will have to relocate 13,000 informal settlers from Manila to Calamba,” said Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Jeremy Regino. 

Hence, the whole NSCR project is expected to be completed by 2031.

The NSCR system boasts 51 train sets that are similar to ones operating in Japan. The train line also promises 40 minutes of travel from Buendia to Alabang. 

Further, the DOTr said the fare for NSCR will be affordable.

“For sure this will be at least at par with the fares of buses and jeepneys. Right now the present fares of MRT, LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3 are cheaper than regular bus and jeep fares,” said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

Once the project becomes operational, over 10,000 jobs will be available and applicants will be trained by the Philippine Railway Institute.—Vince Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News