The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will open sections of the North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) in stages, with the first 27 kilometers and seven stations set to begin operations by the end of 2027. This initial phase runs from Malolos to Malanday in Valenzuela City.
The next segment extending to Clark International Airport will open by late 2028 or early 2029. By 2029, passengers will be able to travel by train all the way from Clark Airport to Valenzuela. The full northern section covers 80 kilometers in total.
The southern portions will follow: Alabang to Calamba by 2031, with the central stretch linking Valenzuela to Alabang targeted for completion by 2033. Once fully operational, the 147.26-kilometer railway will span 35 stations across 30 local government units, serving an estimated 800,000 passengers daily and cutting travel time between Clark and Calamba from over four hours to roughly two hours.
DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan confirmed the project has reached a critical stage, describing it as a “point of no return.” Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez emphasized that strong coordination among agencies, Congress, and partners is essential to keep to the timeline. President Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to accelerate construction to improve commuter travel between Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
The project is funded by the Japanese government through JICA and the Asian Development Bank. Train deliveries are also underway, with the fourth complete train set already at the Malanday Depot.
