THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said travel time from Malolos in Bulacan province to Clark Freeport will be reduced to 35 minutes once the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 2 is completed and operational.

The project is part of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway of the DOTr and PNR.

"Layunin ng proyektong ito na gawing 35 minutes na lang ang travel time mula Malolos, Bulacan hanggang Clark, Pampanga, mula sa kasalukuyang 1 hour and 30 minutes," the agency said.

The project generated more than 7,000 direct jobs in its construction phase. Once completed, the PNR railway is expected to open some 3,000 more jobs for the Filipinos, according to the DOTr.

"Higit 7,000 direct jobs ang nabuksan sa construction phase ng proyektong ito, at inaasahang 3,000 job opportunities pa ang magbubukas kapag naging operational na ito," the Dotr said.

The project features the country's first Airport Express Service which will reduce travel time between Makati City and Clark from the usual two-hour drive to one hour-train ride.

The 283.8-billion PNR Clark Phase 2 is a 53-kilometer segment with stations in Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Mabalacat, Clark International Airport, and New Clark City.