NSCR project speeds ahead to ease Metro Manila traffic

As Metro Manila continues to grapple with one of the world’s worst traffic problems—ranked among the top globally by the 2025 TomTom Traffic Index—the ₱229-billion North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project emerges as a game-changing step in modernizing the country’s transport system.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez said the massive railway modernization project is poised to bring major economic gains to nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna through better connectivity and thousands of new jobs.

Currently, the Manila-Clark segment (Phase 1) of the NSCR is around 65 percent complete. Once fully operational, the 147-kilometer railway will significantly cut travel time, decongest Metro Manila, and link Central and Southern Luzon more efficiently.

The NSCR, the country’s most ambitious rail project to date, has faced some construction delays due to right-of-way (ROW) issues and site obstructions. However, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said clearing and dismantling operations have been accelerated to sustain progress.

ROW concerns in six major areas from Calumpit, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga have already been resolved, paving the way for faster completion.

Based on the latest DoTr data, the Tutuban to Malolos segment has reached between 43 and 78 percent completion, depending on the reporting period. The Malolos to Clark segment is between 33 and 50 percent complete as of mid-2024 to 2025, while the Manila to Calamba segment remains at around 7 to 12 percent, being the most challenging portion due to ROW issues and the presence of informal settlers.

Designed for speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour, the NSCR takes inspiration from advanced rail systems like Dubai’s elevated tracks. It will accommodate as many as 800,000 passengers daily, using Japanese Shinkansen-inspired technology with automatic train control and earthquake-resistant features.

Beyond easing congestion, the NSCR forms a crucial part of the government’s “Build, Better, More” infrastructure program under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., envisioned to redefine public transport and spur balanced regional development. TRACY CABRERA