DOTr signs P12.1 billion supply deal with Japanese firms for PNR Clark Phase I

July 16, 2019

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday signed a P12.1 billion supply contract with the joint venture of Japan Transport Engineering Co. and Sumitomo Corp. to procure trains for the Philippine National Railways’ (PNR) Clark Phase 1 Project.

Under the contract, J-Trec-Sumitomo will manufacture and deliver 13 train sets for a total of 104 cars with a capacity of 2,242 passengers for each train. 

“The prototype trains will be delivered by the third quarter of 2021,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Tugade is eyeing partial operations from Valenzuela to Malolos in Bulacan by end of 2021.

PNR Clark Phase 1 will run from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan with a total of 37.6 kilometer elevated mass railway system.

It has 10 stations: Tutuban, Solis, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto and Malolos.

Taisei Corp. and D.M. Consunji Inc. will build  the 37.6-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 1.

Once operational by the fourth quarter of 2021, travel time from Manila to Malolos would be reduced from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes. The rail line once completed is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.

PNR Clark Phase 1 is funded by official development assistance from Japan through JICA under a 241.991 billion yen or P93.457-billion loan agreement signed in November 2015.

PNR Clark Phase 1 forms part of the North-South Commuter Railway Project―a mega rail network that aims to seamlessly integrate the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, through PNR Clark Phases 1 and 2 (Tutuban-Malolos and Malolos-Clark) and PNR Calamba (Manila-Laguna).

The entire NSCR line aimed to serve 700,000 passengers daily once  operational by 2023. DMS