Meralco To Revive Train Tracks Between Calamba And Manila

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will be starting a venture that will utilize the tracks of the Philippine National Railways (PNR). These tracks will be used to transport goods from the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) to Calamba. PNR tracks will be rented by a Meralco unit called MRAIL, Inc. under the freight train track agreement. According to a statement released by MRAIL,

"The agreement, once officially signed, will allow MRAIL operate a freight train service on the existing PNR tracks or a minimum of eight round trips per day with an average daily container transfer of 600 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) from the MICT to the ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.)-owned Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal and vice versa."

They have also stated that "there will be no interference in the PNR commuter service plying the Tutuban to Alabang route," and that the frieght train will be running 24 hours a day.

This project aims to lessen transportation costs and cut down travel time by relieving congested roads in the area. “We’re looking at tracks similar to tollroads, but freight will be passing through instead of trucks,” said PNR Chief Consultant Antonio P. Soriano.

A reported P40 million will be spent to rehabilitate the tracks to be used, which were damaged during World War II.