IN PHOTOS: After 20 years, PNR reopens Caloocan-Makati line
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Railway’s Caloocan to Dela Rosa, Makati line is operational once more after 20 years as the Department of Transportation conducted its soft opening on Wednesday.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the project is part of the Duterte administration’s efforts to revive the Philippine railways, saying the initiative is good as it makes use of the already-built tracks.
“This is a good initiative from PNR. We will not just add, but also rehabilitate. We wanted to move fast, but at the same time, we had to ensure na wala tayong nami-miss out na posibleng solusyon. This is a good opportunity for us to make use of what is already there—aayusin na lang kung kailangan,” he said.
Six trains with a total capacity of 700 to 800 passengers were deployed to accommodate an expected 10,000 commuters.
Tugade added the project does not only provide service to commuters but also gives extra income for the government.
With a running time of 37 minutes, the DOTr claims the newly reopened line is the fastest and most cost-efficient means of transportation from Caloocan to Makati.
@DOTrPH
— DOTrPH ???????? (@DOTrPH) July 30, 2018
TRAIN ADVISORY: After 20 years of closure, the DOTr-PNR will be re-opening the PNR Caloocan-Dela Rosa line to public.
Minimum fare will still be at PhP 15.00. Please see the attached photos for the schedule of trips starting August 1, 2018. pic.twitter.com/ODoJhr0vQ4
Segments of the Caloocan line were supposed to be used for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Northrail project, which was meant to link Manila to Clark, Pampanga, but was shut down in 1997 rendering the tracks to lay unused until now.
PNR general manager Junn Magno meanwhile said they originally intended to rebuild the track to utilize for transferring material away from Caloocan workshops in preparation for the North-South Commuter Railway or the PNR North 1 project.
The $2.88-billion PNR North 1, which broke ground in January this year, will run from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan.
Magno added that the track was heavily damaged because of water intrusion, and repaired it using old ballast material offered by the Light Rail Transit Authority in May.
The Caloocan-Dela Rosa, Makati line will be operational until the construction of the PNR Manila-Clark Railway line comes in full blast.
Here are photos days before and during the train line’s opening:
— Philstar.com intern Ali Ian Marcelino Biong
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