https://ppp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/NSRP_PIM_FINAL.pdf< Edited >
III. NSRP South Line – Commuter Line
PNR currently operates a 56-km commuter line from Tutuban Station in Central Manila to Calamba in Laguna Province. PNR briefly suspended its commuter line service from May 2015 until July 2015 to conduct an exhaustive inspection, audit and rehabilitation of its commuter train tracks and bridges to ensure the safety of its passengers and trains. PNR resumed operations of the commuter line on July 23, 2015. The future Commuter Line for the NSRP South Line will follow the existing railway alignment used, operated and maintained by PNR for its current commuter line operations.
Tutuban Station is located adjacent to several shopping malls and is in close proximity to commercial centers in Divisoria, the wholesale and bargain shopping hub of Manila, and Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown, claimed to be the oldest Chinatown in the world. Both the local populace and tourists frequently travel to Tutuban and the surrounding areas of Divisoria and Binondo/Chinatown for both its tourist attractions, shopping venues and access to markets and other commercial
activities.It is expected that this heavily trafficked area within Metro Manila will continue to grow and attract high levels of daily visitors. The PNR Line has stops at España Avenue near the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest university in Asia, and at Santa Mesa near the main campus of the Polytechnic University of Philippines is located. The PNR Buendia Station is located within the Makati Central Business District (“CBD”) at the corner of Senator Gil Puyat (formerly, Buendia) Avenue and President Sergio Osmena Sr. Highwaywith access toother forms of public transportationtraveling to and from the CBD. PNR Stations at Alabang in Muntinlupa City, Santa Rosa and Calamba in Laguna are situated near thriving residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
The PNR commuter line also interfaces with other major transport facilities. At Blumentritt in Manila, PNR and LRT Line 1 stations now stand close to one another. The PNR Santa Mesa Station is accessible from two LRT Line 2 stations. The proposed LRT Line 2 West Extension Project, when completed, will establish two stations near PNR Tutuban Station. Finally, the proposed ITS South Project in the FTI Compound in Taguig City will be situated near the PNR FTI Station.
The existing commuter line running south from Tutuban Station in central Manila to Calamba transports approximately 68,500 passengers per day with an average load factor of 78% for the year 2014. PNR has achieved this level of operation and ridership despite the fact that the rail line and the rolling stock of the commuter line are being operated beyond their useful lives. Given the expected improvements to the infrastructure by the development of the proposed Commuter Line
and the continued economic growth of Metro Manila, PNR expects similar or higher passenger demand in future years of operation.
The existing PNR line from Tutuban to Calamba is at-grade, necessitating numerous road crossings. There are also a number of river and creek crossings with the most significant being the one over the Pasig River. The development of the Project will eliminate many of these at-grade crossings through the use of viaduct and grade-separated crossings on reinforced earth embankment.
The existing PNR line is double-tracked only in the section from Tutuban to Sucat. DOTC and PNR are presently in the process of tendering a contract for the installation of a second track along the Sucat to Alabang section of the PNR line. The bidding process for the second track project is being undertaken jointly by DOTC and PNR with the award of the contract for this project expected by the end of 2015 and anticipated construction completion within six months after award. Following its most recent audit of its infrastructure, PNR is undertaking other projects to address particular safety concerns, including double tracking of rails from Sucat to Alabang, rehabilitation of existing tracks from Tutuban to Los Banos, Laguna, refurbishment of DMUs and diesel electric locomotives, supply and delivery of capital spare parts for DMUs, supply of rail mounted equipment, track ballasting, station development, renovation, and fencing, and others.
A. Alignment and Fixed Infrastructure
The NSRP South Line Commuter Railway (the “Commuter Line”) will follow the existing PNR railway alignment from Tutuban Station in Manila to Calamba in Laguna and will run for about 56 kilometers. Track gauge shall be 1,067 mm, conforming to the present PNR standard as well as the proposed NSRP North Line.
It is envisioned that the fixed infrastructure component of the Commuter Line under the Project will include the construction of elevated concrete viaduct (approx. 13.8 km) and at-grade railway (built up in some locations using reinforced earth embankments). Track on concrete viaduct will be new direct fixation track while the remainder of the track will be ballasted track. Where possible, existing bridges may be rehabilitated (rather than be replaced) to performance specifications and standards to be specified in the Concession Agreement.
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