ALSO known as the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project (NSCR-Ex), this ambitious 146-kilometer railway system project of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) involves cities and municipalities of Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga and the National Capital Region and Region 4-A.
Undoubtedly, it is one of President Duterte’s grand projects under his Build, Build, Build program.
It promises to provide massive relief to commuters through its three interconnected railway systems: NSCR Clark extension, the main NSCR and NSCR Calamba extension. The projected ridership upon its completion is 555,000 persons per day.
The NSCR Clark extension, with a length of 53 kilometers (actually 72 kilometers including Phase 2), will be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank.
In Mabalacat City, there will be two stations: Clark station in Barangay Lakandule and the Clark International Airport station in Barangay Dolores.
On the whole, there will be seven stations, namely: Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Clark, Clark International Airport and New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
The handouts furnished me by the City Planning and Development Office Mabalacat City, headed by Rosan S. Paquia, EnP, through staff member Francis Foronda, contained photos of the commuter, limited express, airport, commuter express trains, designs and critical points, the stations, basic designs as of March 2018 (alignment structure), depot location, project outline and project features. The route map and type of trains were also included.
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A massive information campaign should be initiated by the DoTr and the affected local government units (LGUs) which stand to benefit first from the humongous project. This will provide awareness to the concerned and involved stakeholders.
This is a welcome project for exasperated commuters who have been experiencing Hellish traffic in almost all areas of the country.