The Department of Transportation or DoTr is rushing to complete all necessary works to hasten the completion of both the North-South Commuter Railway or NSCR and South Long Haul or SLH, which the agency said are "game-changing" projects that would revitalize the country's railway system.

At a forum on Friday, Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said both the NSCR and SLH will elevate the country's railway system to global standards while creating jobs, boosting economic growth, and reducing traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

The transport chief also pointed out that the projects will provide much-needed critical connectivity to Filipino people as the two mass rail infrastructures will link Metro Manila to the regions in northern and southern Luzon.

Bautista emphasized that the projects will provide critical connectivity to the Filipino people, as the two mass rail infrastructures will link Metro Manila to the regions in northern and southern Luzon.

World-class

"We will create a world-class railroad network — proud not only of Asia but also of the whole world. New, modern, and fast trains that will run from Clark to Calamba and continue to Bicol," Bautista said.

"There is no doubt the NSCR and SLH Project will usher in the renaissance of the rail industry in the country," Bautista added.

A massive 147-kilometer railway system, the NSCR will have 35 stations and will run on 51 commuter train sets and seven express train sets.

The NSCR is expected to cut travel time from Calamba, Laguna to Clark, Pampanga from the current 4.5 hours travel time to just less than two hours, and service 600,000 passengers daily on full operations.

The entire South Long Haul Project, meanwhile, is a 577-kilometer and 33-station rail connection from Metro Manila to Batangas and Bicol.

Once completed, the rail line will reduce travel time from Manila to Legazpi from the present 14 to 18 hours to six hours, using regular commuter trains and 4.5 hours, using the line's express trains.