MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:32 p.m.) — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will halt its Governor Pascual-Tutuban and Tutuban-Alabang operations starting March 28, 2024 to "accelerate" the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project in Metro Manila.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) had this to say in a press release this Friday without clarifying how long the suspension of operations will be.
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"PNR services will be suspended to also ensure that passengers are safe while the construction of the NSCR is underway," said the DOTr while relaying a message from Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista.
"During the PNR suspension of operations in Metro Manila, the construction of the NSCR will be expedited by eight months, and save at least PHP 15.18 billion from the project."
The NSCR, a "state-of-the-art" 147-kilometer rail line, is expected to shorten travel time from Clark, Pampanga, all the way to Calamba, Laguna by less than two hours.
The new line is expected to accomodate 800,000 passengers a day in the hopes of decongesting Metro Manila traffic and strengthening economic growth in cities and municipalities it passes through.
Alternative bus routes during PNR absence
To cater to passengers who will be affected by the PNR's suspension, the DOTr and Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have already arranged alternative bus routes.
Vehicles on the Tutuban route to Alabang and vice versa are expected to drop off and pick up passengers near the current PNR route.
"The southbound buses will pass through Divisoria (Tutuban), Mayhaligue Street, Abad Santos Avenue, Recto Avenue, Legarda Street, Quirino Avenue, Nagtahan Flyover, Mabini Bridge, Quirino Avenue, Osmeña Highway, Nichols Entry, SLEX, Bicutan Exit, Bicutan Entry, and Alabang (Starmall)," said DOTr.
"The northbound buses will pass through Alabang (Starmall), Manila South Road, East Service Road, Alabang (Entry), SLEX, Bicutan Exit, Bicutan Entry, Nichols Exit, Osmeña Highway, Quirino Avenue, Legarda Street, Recto Avenue, Abad Santos Avenue, Mayhaligue Street, and Divisoria (Tutuban)."
Bus trips on the Tutuban-Alabang (Southbound) route are expected travel at around 7:30 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 3 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 9 p.m..
On the other hand, trips from Alabang-Tutuban (Northbound) route will run at 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 5 p.m., and 6:10 p.m.
Mobility advocates buck PNR suspension
Meanwhile, AltMobility PH director Ira Cruz questioned DOTr's move, saying that replacing the PNR with 25 buses cannot possibly stand on its own.
"This plan must now be complemented by dedicated bus lanes to offer the same efficiency and to meet the timetable," he said in a correspondence with Philstar.com.
"For distances upwards of 300m from the station, there should be wayfinding and improved pedestrian and transit stop facilities; Distances of 4.6kms honestly adds to the expense of Filipino commuters."
Cruz added that a distance of 4.6 kilometers from the station is simply not walkable due to "severe lack pedestrian infrastructure" in the Philippines.
It could be remembered that the DOTr suspended PNR's operations between Alabang, Muntinlupa City and Calamba, Laguna last October 2023 also to make way for civil works of the NSCR.