In just a few days, the country’s first underground railway system is no longer a pipe dream, following the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) signing of the main contract or the first part of the design and build contract for the Metro Manila Subway’s first 3 stations, or its partial operability section, last Wednesday.
For those who are wondering how long is the subway? The Metro Manila Subway is the longest underground railway spanning around 36 kilometers, with 15 stations crossing 7 local governments. The best part of the subway is that it connects route from airport (NAIA Terminal 3) in almost 30 minutes or less.
Initially named as the “Project of the Century,” the Metro Manila Subway is among the flagship projects under the Duterte Administration’s Build Build Build program.
The first 3 stations is expected to complete by 2022, while full operations is set to be done by 2025. The seminal underground rail system is expected to serve up to 370,000 passengers per day, with a capacity of serving up to 1.5 million passengers per day.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, said, “Next week, our countrymen will finally see that the dream of a railway system running underground in this country is soon becoming a reality. Of course there will be some inconvenience along the way, but that is nothing compared to the long-lasting comfort this project will bring to the Filipino people.”
In line with the upcoming construction of the subway, the tireless Secretary of DOTr inspected Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), subway flood control equipment, and other technological advancements and practices in railways during his visit in Japan.