STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is aiming to bid out the Clark Rail Transit System—which will be linked to the future North-South Commuter Railway System—by year-end.
This was learned from BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, who reported that his agency is currently drafting the terms of reference for the much-anticipated train system, which will be built in Clark Green City.
He said the Clark Rail deal will be auctioned off as a joint-venture project. “Offhand, BCDA will provide the land needed, including substantial areas for commercial development at every station. The private JV partner will plan, design, finance, build, operate and maintain the Clark Rail,” Casanova said.
Clark Rail will be electric powered and will involve some 82 kilometers of double-back track between Malolos and Tarlac City, and will have approximately 13 stations. The alignment of Clark Rail is still being studied, and will be finalized by the private-sector partner.
“We are considering to put the Clark Rail on a new alignment that would allow us to provide the area needed for the commercial development at every station. Clark Rail will serve as the backbone for the movement of goods, services and people to and from Manila, Clark Green City, Clark International Airport, Clark Special Economic Zone and Tarlac City,” Casanova said.
The state-run disposition agency will also provide roughly 100 hectares of Clark Green City land for the construction of the railway’s transport hub.
“Clark Rail is essentially an extension of the Neda [National Economic and Development Authority] Board-approved North-South Commuter Railway Project,” Casanova said.
The government has revived the plan to operate the Bicol Line of the Philippine National Railways , while improving its decades-old facilities that are far below the train systems of its peers. In a matter of five years, the P287-billion North-South Railway System, which will run from Bulacan up to Sorsogon, will be commercially opened, providing connectivity and ease of travel.
The first phase of the facility will involve the construction of a 36.7-kilometer narrow gauge elevated commuter railway from Malolos, Bulacan, to Tutuban in Manila. It is seen to be completed by the third quarter of 2020.
The second phase, which will extend the commuter rail up to Matnog, Sorsogon, will be completed by the forth quarter of 2019.
The two-phase deal will be implemented under the official development assistance and Public-Private Partnership Program.
The Commuter Rail and the Clark Rail are envisioned to improve efficiency of land transportation capacity of Metro Manila and provide a more environmentally sustainable mode of transportation.
The state intends to plug the gap in the country’s transportation facility in the next decade by rolling out massive infrastructure projects that are seen to spur economic growth.