Daily trips of Alabang–Calamba route of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) will be temporarily closed beginning July 2 to give way for the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Cesar Chavez on Friday, June 2, said the temporary closure, which will last for five years, will affect 500 passengers per day.
Only its 4:38 a.m. and 7:56 p.m. trips will be affected by the suspension.
According to Chavez, the DOTr is in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to provide alternative transportation to the affected commuters.
“Ang usapan natin with the LTFRB, ‘yung mga area… kinakailangan na magkaroon ng additional permit para sa jeep sapagkat malayo sila sa mga bus. Otherwise, mula Calamba, Cabuyao, Biñan, Muntinlupa, are all accessible ng jeepney at ng bus,” Chavez said.
“Ang pansamantalang abala, ihahatid ay pangmatagalang ginhawa,” the official stressed.
Once operational, the NSCR will reduce travel time between Calamba, Laguna and Manila to approximately one and a half hours. CF/with reports from Karen Villanda
