The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has suspended operations on the two non-electrified lines in the Manila area for five years to enable the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR). Construction of the project will cost €14.5 billion (PHP 873.62 billion) and began in 2023. The suspension of operations is expected to reduce construction costs by at least €260 million and could accelerate the completion of the NSCR by eight months. The Department of Transport (DoTr) has set up replacement bus services for the duration of the suspension. The 147 km NSCR line, which runs from Clark, Pampanga, to Calamba, Laguna, is expected to reduce travel time between these areas to under two hours and provide capacity for 800,000 passengers per day. The resumption of operations is planned for 2029.
