View source for Rail transportation in the Philippines

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is a legitimate description when the title is already adequate; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox rail network
|name            = [[Philippines]]
|color           = 
|logo            = 
|image           = PH Railway montage.jpg
|caption         = '''Clockwise '''(from top): [[PNR Metro Commuter Line|PNR Metro Commuter]], [[LRT Line 2 (Metro Manila)|LRT Line 2]], [[MRT Line 3 (Metro Manila)|MRT Line 3]], [[LRT Line 1]]
|nationalrailway = 
|infrastructure  = 
|majoroperators  = [[Department of Transportation (Philippines)|DOTr]] ([[Philippine National Railways|PNR]], [[Light Rail Transit Authority|LRTA]])
|ridership       = 795,072 (2022){{efn|Combined ridership of the four currently operational lines.}}
|passkm          = 
|freight         = 
|length          = {{convert|539.35|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=on}}<br />'''Operational:''' {{convert|272.95|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=PNR}}{{efn|name=NSCR|Operational length. With the completion of the [[North–South Commuter Railway|NSCR]], another {{convert|147|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=on}} of electrified double-track will be added.}}{{efn|name=MRT|Does not include MRT and LRT lines under construction.}}
|doublelength    = {{Convert|59.23|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=PNR|Excluding the now-closed [[PNR Metro Commuter Line]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=PNR will stop operations on March 28 for five years |date=March 8, 2024 |first=Lance Spencer |last=Yu |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/business/pnr-stop-operations-march-28-2024/ |access-date=March 8, 2024}}</ref>}}{{efn|name=NSCR}}{{efn|name=MRT}}
|ellength        = {{convert|54.15|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=NSCR}}{{efn|name=MRT}}
|freightlength   = 
|hslength        = 
|gauge           = 
|hsgauge         = 
|gauge1          = {{track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
|gauge1length    = {{Convert|403.3|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=PNR}}
|gauge2          = {{track gauge|1435mm|lk=on}}
|gauge2length    = {{Convert|60.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=NSCR}}{{efn|name=MRT}}{{efn|Around {{Convert|2860|km|mi|abbr=on}} of standard-gauge tracks will be built for the North–South Commuter Railway, PNR South Main Line, Mindanao Railway and Clark–Subic freight line.}}
|gauge3          = 
|gauge3length    = 
|gauge4          = 
|gauge4length    = 
|el              = 
|el1             = [[List of railway electrification systems#750 V DC|750 V DC]]
|el1length       = {{convert|42.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|el2             = {{1,500 V DC}}
|el2length       = {{convert|17.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=NSCR}}{{efn|name=MRT}}
|el3             = 
|el3length       =
|notunnels       = 
|tunnellength    = 
|longesttunnel   = <!--{{convert|10.3071|km|mi}}-->
|nobridges       = 
|longestbridge   = 
|nostations      = 61 (operational)
|highelevation   = {{Convert|208.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="high-elev" />
|highelat        = [[Camalig]], [[Albay]]<ref name="high-elev">{{Cite report|title=Alignment and profile|url=https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/biblio/50057/|work=Main Line South|publisher=Manila Railroad Company|date=March 12, 1949|access-date=March 14, 2022}}</ref>
|lowelevation    = 
|lowelat         = 
|map             = 
}}
'''Rail transportation in the Philippines''' is currently used mostly to transport passengers within [[Metro Manila]] and provinces of [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]] and [[Quezon]], as well as a commuter service in the [[Bicol Region]]. [[Rail freight transport|Freight transport services]] once operated in the country, but these services were halted. However, there are plans to restore old freight services and build new lines.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news|url=http://manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/277153/dotr-to-revive-manila-laguna-cargo-rail-project.html|title=DOTr to revive Manila-Laguna cargo rail project|work=Manila Standard|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en|archive-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012214527/http://manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/277153/dotr-to-revive-manila-laguna-cargo-rail-project.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/subic-clark-railway-construction-begins-2019/|title=Subic-Clark railway construction begins 2019|last1=Valdez|first1=Denise|website=bwonline.com|date=June 3, 2018 |access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011324/https://www.bworldonline.com/subic-clark-railway-construction-begins-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref> From a peak of {{convert|1,100|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=}},<ref name=":03">{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/30/1980630/it-full-steam-ahead-philippine-railway-system|title=Is it full steam ahead for the Philippine railway system?|last=Mercurio|first=Richmond|website=philstar.com|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105232225/https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/30/1980630/it-full-steam-ahead-philippine-railway-system|url-status=live}}</ref> the country currently has a railway footprint of {{convert|533.14|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=}}, of which only {{convert|129.85|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=}} are operational as of {{currentyear}}, including all the urban rail lines. [[World War II]], natural calamities, underspending, and neglect have all contributed to the decline of the Philippine railway network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/121496/waiting-for-trains|title=Waiting for trains|last=Fajarito|first=James M.|website=opinion.inquirer.net|language=en|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521231146/https://opinion.inquirer.net/121496/waiting-for-trains|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2019 [[Global Competitiveness Report]], the Philippines has the lowest efficiency score among other Asian countries in terms of efficiency of train services, receiving a score of 2.4, and ranking 86th out of 101 countries globally.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Efficiency of Train Services in Asia|website=Landgeist|url=https://landgeist.com/2021/09/21/efficiency-of-train-services-in-asia/|date=September 21, 2021|access-date=January 22, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928211148/https://landgeist.com/2021/09/21/efficiency-of-train-services-in-asia/|archive-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> The government is currently expanding the railway network up to {{Convert|1900|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=}} by 2022 through numerous projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/heavy-traffic-expected-mrt-7-construction/375396/|title=Heavy traffic expected with MRT-7 construction|author=Galvez, James Konstantin|date=January 20, 2018|publisher=[[The Manila Times]]|access-date=January 23, 2018|archive-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123190659/http://www.manilatimes.net/heavy-traffic-expected-mrt-7-construction/375396/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite news|url=http://manilastandard.net/news/national/255590/clearing-operations-for-tutuban-malolos-railway-start.html|title=Clearing ops for Tutuban-Malolos railway start|work=Manila Standard|access-date=June 22, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622164902/http://manilastandard.net/news/national/255590/clearing-operations-for-tutuban-malolos-railway-start.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":03" />

The Philippine railway network consists of two commuter lines provided by the [[Philippine National Railways]] (PNR) and three urban mass transit lines operated by the [[Light Rail Transit Authority]] and [[Metro Rail Transit Corporation]], all of which are located in Luzon. Within the last century, there were operating [[intercity rail]] lines extending from Manila both north and south operated by PNR. There were also lines on the [[Panay]] and [[Cebu]] islands, operated by [[Panay Railways]], which currently does not own rolling stock or rail, only property. There were also short industrial railways in [[Negros]] Island operated by sugar mills such as the Hawaiian-Philippines Company.<ref name="DOTC22">{{cite web|url=http://philippinerailways.blogspot.com/2012/06/ang-kasaysayan-ng-panay-railways.html|title=Ang kasaysayan ng Panay Railways Incorporated|date=June 5, 2012|publisher=Department of Trade and Communication via the Philippine Railways Blog (an advocacy website)|access-date=May 12, 2014|archive-date=May 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512225643/http://philippinerailways.blogspot.com/2012/06/ang-kasaysayan-ng-panay-railways.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==

===Luzon===
{{See also|Philippine National Railways#History|Rail transportation in the Greater Manila Area#History}}
[[File:Ferrocarril Manila-Dagupan 1885.jpg|thumb|left|The "Ferrocarril de Manila a Dagupan" (ca. 1885).]]
[[File:KITLV A393 - Herstelwerkzaamheden aan een spoorlijn te Manila op de Filippijnen, KITLV 77638.tiff|thumb|left|Repair work on a railway line in Manila, circa pre-1900]]

There has been rail transport in the [[Philippines]] for over 120 years.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=PNR in Philippine History |url=https://pnr.gov.ph/about-contact-us/who-we-are/pnr-in-philippine-history/pnr-in-philippine-history.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008170544/https://pnr.gov.ph/about-contact-us/who-we-are/pnr-in-philippine-history/pnr-in-philippine-history.html |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=pnr.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref>  On June 25, 1875, King [[Alfonso XII of Spain]] promulgated a Royal Decree directing the Office of the Inspector of Public Works of the Philippines to submit a general plan for railroads on Luzon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pnr.gov.ph/about-contact-us/who-we-are/pnr-in-philippine-history/2014-12-12-03-16-34|title=PNR Historical Highlights|website=www.pnr.gov.ph|language=en|access-date=November 4, 2018|archive-date=September 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902032657/http://www.pnr.gov.ph/about-contact-us/who-we-are/pnr-in-philippine-history/2014-12-12-03-16-34|url-status=live}}</ref> The plan, which was submitted five months later by Don Eduardo Lopez Navarro, was entitled ''Memoria Sobre el Plan General de Ferrocarriles en la Isla de Luzón'', and was promptly approved. A concession for the construction of a railway line from [[Manila]] to [[Dagupan]] was granted to Don Edmundo Sykes of the ''Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan'' on June 1, 1887.<ref name="pnr.gov.ph">{{cite web|url=http://www.pnr.gov.ph/history.htm|title=History|publisher=Philippine National Railways|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219043906/http://www.pnr.gov.ph/history.htm|archive-date=February 19, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The construction and running of the railway was done by Manila Railway Company Ltd that was a British owned company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://britsinthephilippines.top/philippines-first-railway-was-built-by-the-british/|title=Philippines First Railway was built by the British|date=August 29, 2018|work=Brits in the Philippines|access-date=November 4, 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926220702/https://britsinthephilippines.top/philippines-first-railway-was-built-by-the-british/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first rail tracks were laid in 1891 and its first commercial run was in 1892.<ref name="pnr.gov.ph"/>

With the American takeover of the Philippines, the [[Philippine Commission]] allowed the [[Meralco|Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company]] (Meralco) to take over the properties of the ''Compañia de los Tranvias de Filipinas'',<ref>{{cite book | title=The Philippines' Oldest Business House | year=1984 | publisher=Filipinas Foundation | location=Makati | pages=68–70}}</ref> with the first of twelve mandated electric [[tram|''tranvia'']] (tram) lines operated by Meralco opening in Manila in 1905.<ref name="central">{{cite journal | author=Satre, Gary L. | title=The Metro Manila LRT System—A Historical Perspective | journal=Japan Railway and Transport Review | volume=16 | pages=33–37 | url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr16/pdf/f33_satre.pdf | date=June 1998 | access-date=May 8, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505060037/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr16/pdf/f33_satre.pdf | archive-date=May 5, 2006 | url-status=dead }}</ref> At the end of the first year around 63&nbsp;kilometers (39&nbsp;mi) of track had been laid.<ref name="Meralco">{{cite web
 |url=http://www.meralco.com.ph/Corporate/about/mh_100_years2.htm 
 |author=Manila Electric Company (Meralco). 
 |title=History of Meralco 
 |date=November 10, 2004 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918153259/http://www.meralco.com.ph/Corporate/about/mh_100_years2.htm 
 |archive-date=September 18, 2009 |access-date=January 18, 2010
|publisher=Meralco company website
}}</ref>  A five-year reconstruction program was initiated in 1920, and by 1924, 170 cars serviced many parts of the city and its outskirts.<ref name="Meralco"/>  Although it was an efficient system for the city's 220,000 inhabitants, by the 1930s the streetcar network had stopped expanding.<ref name="central" /><ref name="Meralco"/><ref name=lrta-history>{{cite web|title=Light Rail Transit Authority Company History |url=http://www.lrta.gov.ph/lrt_history.htm |publisher=[[Light Rail Transit Authority]] |access-date=October 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825023912/http://www.lrta.gov.ph/lrt_history.htm |archive-date=August 25, 2012 }}</ref>

At the [[Tutuban station|Tutuban Central Terminal]] in a bustling district of old [[Manila]] was the [[rail terminal|terminal]] of the [[Philippine National Railways]] for two lines, to the north and to the south.<ref name=":3" /> From the center of [[Manila]] towards [[Baguio]] in the north, the line ended in [[San Fernando, La Union]] while the south line stopped in [[Legazpi, Albay|Legazpi]] in the Bicol region. To and from these points it carried people and their goods, their trade and livelihood.

In 1936, the first [[standard-gauge railway]] was introduced to the Philippines in the form of two [[Climax locomotive]]s for the Dahican Lumber Company (DALCO). These were originally built in 1917 for the [[San Joaquin and Eastern Railroad]] in California and were sold after their closure in 1933.<ref>{{Cite AV media|title=SL 105 and 106|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=110762131473638&set=gm.604372327343134|publisher=Karl Dyangco|website=Facebook|date=1936|access-date=January 4, 2022}}</ref> In July 1941, a 3T type Shay locomotive was also acquired from the [[Finkbine-Guild Lumber Company]]. The status of this short-line railroad after the war remains unknown.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Finkbine Lumber Co.|url=https://www.msrailroads.com/Finkbine.htm|website=Mississippi Rails|access-date=January 4, 2022}}</ref>

Most of the improvements on the rail network were destroyed during [[Japanese invasion of the Philippines]] during the [[World War II]]. Of the more than a thousand route-kilometers before the war, only 452 were operational after it. For several years after the war, work was undertaken on what could be salvaged of the railroad system.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.pnr.gov.ph/history_highlights.htm|title=History highlights|publisher=Philippine National Railways|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430064307/http://www.pnr.gov.ph/history_highlights.htm|archive-date=April 30, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> By the war's end, the tram network was also damaged beyond repair amid a city that lay in ruins.  It was dismantled and [[jeepney]]s became the city's primary form of transportation, plying the routes once served by the tram lines.<ref name="central" />  With the return of buses and cars to the streets, traffic congestion became a problem.

==== Decline and closure ====
{{Quote|text=Under-invested 'yung train system natin, eh. We spend so much on roads, we don't spend on trains. We need to go back to those existing train services and say, We need to up it and reinvest. We need to go build more and then, we also need to invest in the other modes - bus, jeeps and everything else, hindi lang cars.|author=Benjamin de la Peña, on the country's train system being under-invested.|source=}}
Due to natural disasters and a lack of government support, railways began to decline in the post-war period. The funding during the 1970s was shifted to road-based infrastructure, such as the [[Philippine highway network]]. The PNR later became the attached agency of the then-Ministry of Transportation and Communications (now [[Department of Transportation (Philippines)|DOTr]]).

Some services began to close in 1984, with the North Main Line being cut short to [[Paniqui|Paniqui, Tarlac]]. It was again shortened to [[Meycauayan]] in 1988. The [[1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo|eruption of Mount Pinatubo]] would result in the closure of the entire line in 1991. The commuter services started in 1990, with a short extension to [[Malolos]], but they were shut down in 1997. The South Main Line was also closed due to natural disasters, including the eruption of [[Mayon|Mayon Volcano]] in 1993 and Typhoons [[Typhoon Xangsane|Milenyo]] and [[Typhoon Durian|Reming]] in 2006. This was also closed in October 2012 due to a derailment incident in [[Sariaya|Sariaya, Quezon]] and the ongoing disrepair of typhoon-damaged bridges. This would later close again in 2014, then in 2017.

Since then, the train system has been underinvested and the country has spent much more on road projects.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Train system in the Philippines ‘underinvested,’ urban transport expert says |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/858310/train-system-in-the-philippines-underinvested-urban-transport-expert-says/story/?amp |website=GMA Integrated News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="Under-invested 'yung train system natin, eh. We spend so much on roads, we don't spend on trains." We need to go back to those existing train services and say, "We need to up it and reinvest. We need to go build more and then, we also need to invest in the other modes - bus, jeeps and everything else, hindi lang cars." Urban planner Benjamin de la Peña On the country's train system being under-invested. |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=321394771052847&set=a.106572945868365 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Facebook}}</ref> Long, winding roads were made from these abandoned railways.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Philippines Once Had an Extensive Railway System; Why Wasn’t it Rebuilt? |url=https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/the-latest-news-features/90195/philippine-railway-system-history-a371-20220822-lfrm |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref>  

==== Introduction of rapid transit ====
In 1966, the Philippine government granted a franchise to Philippine Monorail Transport Systems (PMTS) for the operation of an inner-city [[monorail]].<ref name="franchise">Republic of the Philippines.  (Approved: June 14, 1966). [http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno4652.html Republic Act No.&nbsp;4652 – An Act Granting the Philippine Monorail Transit System, Incorporated a Franchise to Establish, Maintain and Operate a Monorail Transportation Service in the City of Manila and Suburbs and Cebu City and Province] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216124248/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno4652.html |date=February 16, 2020 }}. Retrieved December 13, 2009, from the Chan Robles Virtual Law Library.</ref>  The monorail's feasibility was still being evaluated when the government asked the [[Japan International Cooperation Agency]] (JICA) to conduct a separate transport study.<ref name="lrta-history" />  Prepared between 1971 and 1973, the JICA study proposed a series of circumferential and radial roads, an inner-city rapid transit system, a commuter railway, and an expressway with three branches.<ref name="lrta-history" /> The master plan would be known as the Urban Transport Study for the Manila Metropolitan Area (UTSMMA). After further examination, many recommendations were adopted; however, none of them involved rapid transit and the monorail was never built.  PMTS' franchise subsequently expired in 1974.<ref name="franchise2">Republic of the Philippines.  (Enacted: October 4, 1971). [http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno6417.html Republic Act No.&nbsp;6417 – An Act Amending Sections Three And Seven Of Republic Act Numbered Forty-Six Hundred Fifty-Two, Entitled "An Act Granting the Philippine Monorail Transit System, Incorporated a Franchise to Establish, Maintain and Operate a Monorail Transportation Service in the City Of Manila and Suburbs and Cebu City and Province"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915012922/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno6417.html |date=September 15, 2019 }}. Retrieved December 13, 2009, from the Chan Robles Virtual Law Library.</ref> 

Another study was performed between 1976 and 1977, this time by [[Hyder Consulting|Freeman Fox and Associates]] and funded by the [[World Bank]]. It originally suggested a street-level railway, but its recommendations were revised by the newly formed Ministry of Transportation and Communications (now the [[DOTr]]). The ministry instead called for an elevated system because of the city's many intersections.<ref name="central" />

MMETROPLAN disagreed with several of the assumptions and proposals of UTSMMA. For one, Freeman, Fox—and the World Bank—did not feel that the heavy rail transit advocated by the Japanese was suitable to Manila’s conditions. “It would be hopelessly uneconomic,” they concluded, arguing against any form of segregated mass transit system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranchez |first=Kharla |title=Train Transportation in the Philippines: The Struggle on the Development of Train System and the Action of the Government A Research I Background of the Study |url=https://www.academia.edu/36898763/Train_Transportation_in_the_Philippines_The_Struggle_on_the_Development_of_Train_System_and_the_Action_of_the_Government_A_Research_I_Background_of_the_Study |access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> The report also says "These results are conclusive, and are unlikely to be changed by any circumstances or reasonable assumptions…it is clear that any other fully segregated public transport system, whether light rail or busway, would also be uneconomic. As such systems would require the appropriation of most, if not all, of the available funds for all transport (including highways) in Metro Manila for the foreseeable future, and as there is not other rationale for their implementation, they have been rejected from further consideration''.”''<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 13, 2019 |title=Metro Manila Transport, Land Use and Development Planning Project (MMETROPLAN, 1977) |url=https://d0ctrine.com/2014/09/05/metro-manila-transport-land-use-and-development-planning-project-mmetroplan-1977/ |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=Caught (up) in traffic}}</ref>

President [[Ferdinand Marcos]] created the [[Light Rail Transit Authority]] (LRTA) in 1980. The first lady [[Imelda Marcos]], then [[governor of Metro Manila]] and minister of human settlements, became its first chairman. Construction of LRT Line 1 started in September 1981, test-run in March 1984, and the first half of the line from Baclaran to Central Terminal opened on December 1, 1984. The second half, from Central Terminal to Monumento, opened on May 12, 1985. Overcrowding and poor maintenance took its toll a few years after opening.  With Japan's [[Official Development Assistance (Japan)|ODA]] amounting to 75 billion yen in total, the construction of LRT Line 2 began in 1997, and the first section of the line, from Santolan to Araneta Center-Cubao, was opened on April 5, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|last=Japan International Cooperation Agency|title=Metro Manila Strategic Mass Rail Transit Development|url=http://www.jica.go.jp/english/operations/evaluation/oda_loan/post/2009/pdf/philippines08.pdf|publisher=JICA Official Page|access-date=February 27, 2019|archive-date=July 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713092650/https://www.jica.go.jp/english/our_work/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  The second section, from Araneta Center-Cubao to [[Legarda station|Legarda]], was opened exactly a year later, with the entire line being fully operational by October 2004.<ref name="mrt-2">{{cite news|author=Bergonia, Allan. |title=Line 2 Recto Station Opens |url=http://www.lrta.gov.ph/news/news_item_102804_RectoStationsOpens.htm |work=[[People's Journal (newspaper)|People's Journal]] |date=October 28, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308020226/http://www.lrta.gov.ph/news/news_item_102804_RectoStationsOpens.htm |archive-date=March 8, 2005 |access-date=May 11, 2006 |via=lrta.gov.ph}}</ref> During that time Line 1 was modernized.  Automated fare collection systems using magnetic stripe plastic tickets were installed; air-conditioned trains added; pedestrian walkways between Lines 1, 2, and the privately operated [[Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3|3]] were completed.<ref name="missinglinks">{{Cite web|url=http://www.lrta.gov.ph/system_links.htm |title=The Missing Links: Now a Reality |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060924004545/http://www.lrta.gov.ph/system_links.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2006 |date=2006 |publisher=[[Light Rail Transit Authority]] |access-date=April 7, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>  In 2005, the LRTA made a profit of ₱68&nbsp;million, the first time the agency made a profit since the Line 1 became operational in 1984.<ref name="losses">{{Cite news|url=http://www.lrta.gov.ph/news/news_item_060424_LRTAPostsProfit.htm |title=LRTA posts profit, pays P23M in income taxes |date=April 24, 2006 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |access-date=May 6, 2006 |via=lrta.gov.ph |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907083948/http://www.lrta.gov.ph/news/news_item_060424_LRTAPostsProfit.htm |archive-date=September 7, 2006 }}</ref>

====Rehabilitation====
In the early 2000s, the government worked to rehabilitate rail transportation in the country, including the [[Philippine National Railways]], through various investments and projects.<ref name="pnr.gov.ph" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=61814|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221155141/http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=61814|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2013|title=PNR rail rehabilitation to start September|last=Olchondra|first=Riza T.|date=April 22, 2007|newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]|access-date=April 28, 2010|location=Manila|quote=The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will start repairing and improving its North and South railways by September, PNR General Manager Jose Ma. Sarasola II said Friday.}}</ref> Total reconstruction of rail bridges and tracks, including replacement of the current 35-kilogram (77-pound) track with newer 50-kilogram (110-pound) tracks and the refurbishing of stations, were part of the rehabilitation and expansion process.  Much of those plans such as the [[North–South Commuter Railway#NorthRail|Northrail Project]] were controversial and were never completed, due to allegations of being overpriced and anomalous.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pcij.org/blog/2005/09/29/up-study-finds-north-rail-contract-illegal-diadvantageous-to-government|title=U.P. study finds North Rail contract illegal, disadvantageous to government|date=September 9, 2005|publisher=The PCIJ Blog|access-date=July 29, 2014|archive-date=August 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812191628/http://pcij.org/blog/2005/09/29/up-study-finds-north-rail-contract-illegal-diadvantageous-to-government|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3|MRT Line 3]], which deteriorated since 2014 due to poor maintenance,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/02/04/MRT-Abaya-senate-report.html|title=DOTC chief shrugs off Senate report on MRT3|last1=De Guzman|first1=Kristine|access-date=February 5, 2016|agency=[[CNN Philippines]]|quote=The report described what commuters put up with every day — the lack of coaches, poor maintenance of trains and platform facilities, and deteriorating rails..|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205092520/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/02/04/MRT-Abaya-senate-report.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> underwent rehabilitation from 2019 to 2021, restoring it to its original high-grade state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1067365/sumitomo-back-on-track-with-mrt-3|title=Sumitomo back on track with MRT 3 {{!}} Inquirer News|website=newsinfo.inquirer.net|date=December 29, 2018|access-date=January 2, 2019|archive-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103004903/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1067365/sumitomo-back-on-track-with-mrt-3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/284200/sumitomo-asked-to-start-mrt-3-rehabilitation-in-19.html|title=Sumitomo asked to start MRT-3 rehabilitation in '19|website=Manila Standard|language=en|access-date=January 2, 2019|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731094438/https://manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/284200/sumitomo-asked-to-start-mrt-3-rehabilitation-in-19.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Expansion ====
As part of the government's recent investments in transportation in the country, numerous projects are ongoing to expand and rehabilitate the railways in Luzon. Projects include the [[North–South Commuter Railway]], a {{Convert|180|km|mi|sp=us|adj=on}} line from [[New Clark City]] in [[Capas, Tarlac]] to [[Calamba, Laguna]],<ref name=":12">{{Cite news|url=http://business.inquirer.net/244404/34-75-flagship-infra-projects-start-18|title=34 of 75 flagship infra projects to start in '18|last=Vera|first=Ben O. de|access-date=May 30, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608191042/http://business.inquirer.net/244404/34-75-flagship-infra-projects-start-18|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jica.go.jp/english/our_work/social_environmental/id/asia/southeast/philippines/c8h0vm0000bk9u1j-att/c8h0vm0000dhvs14.pdf|title=FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE MALOLOS-CLARK RAILWAY PROJECT (NORTH-SOUTH COMMUTER RAILWAY EXTENSION PROJECT)|date=October 2018|website=JICA|access-date=November 1, 2018|archive-date=November 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104170127/https://www.jica.go.jp/english/our_work/social_environmental/id/asia/southeast/philippines/c8h0vm0000bk9u1j-att/c8h0vm0000dhvs14.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[Metro Manila Subway]], a {{convert|36|km|sp=us|adj=on}} underground rapid transit line from [[Quezon City]] to [[Taguig]] and [[NAIA Terminal 3]],<ref name="ppp">{{cite web|url=https://ppp.gov.ph/?in_the_news=duterte-admin-revives-plan-to-build-metro-manila-subway|title=Duterte admin revives plan to build Metro Manila subway|author=Rappler|date=August 22, 2016|publisher=Public-Private Partnership Center|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=April 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420234803/https://ppp.gov.ph/?in_the_news=duterte-admin-revives-plan-to-build-metro-manila-subway|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/12/p300-b-subway-project-planned-in-dutertenomics/|title=P300-B subway project planned in Dutertenomics|last1=Rosario|first1=Ben|date=May 12, 2017|work=Manila Bulletin|access-date=June 28, 2017|archive-date=June 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615160758/http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/12/p300-b-subway-project-planned-in-dutertenomics/|url-status=live}}</ref> the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension, which would extend the existing line from [[Baclaran]] to [[Niog station|Niog]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-20 |title=LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project |url=https://lrmc.ph/lrt-1-cavite-extension-project/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Light Rail Manila Corporation |language=en-US}}</ref> the [[MRT Line 7 (Metro Manila)|MRT-7]] would connect [[North Triangle Common Station|North Avenue]] to [[San Jose del Monte|San Jose Del Monte]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=D. CABUENAS |first=JON VIKTOR |date=2025-04-22 |title=MRT7 trains running by 2025, full ops by 2026 —SMC |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/943569/mrt7-trains-running-by-2025-full-ops-by-2026-smc/story/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}</ref> and the [[MRT Line 4 (Metro Manila)|MRT-4]] would connect [[Ortigas Center]] to [[Taytay, Rizal|Taytay]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosales |first=Elijah Felice |title=Design changes hike cost of building MRT- 4 |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/07/29/2373639/design-changes-hike-cost-building-mrt-4 |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>

Sources in the DOTr say it's unlikely that railway projects will finish during President [[Bongbong Marcos]]' term, as a [[Department of Justice (Philippines)|Department of Justice]] (DOJ) legal opinion has led to an indefinite pause on [[right of way]] acquisitions, except for ongoing expropriation cases and subterranean land.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Taguines |first=Andrea |date=February 24, 2025 |title=Big-ticket railway projects unlikely to finish within Marcos term due to right-of-way roadblocks |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/2/24/big-ticket-railway-projects-unlikely-to-finish-within-marcos-term-due-to-right-of-way-roadblocks-1140 |website=ABS-CBN News}}</ref> Under Philippine law, specifically Republic Act 10752, the government must meet certain conditions before compensating those affected by infrastructure projects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaycee |date=2025-02-24 |title=Why major railway projects face delays |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/why-major-railway-projects-face-delays/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref> 

The Right of Way Act should take priority over the government’s loan agreements with project funders like the [[Japan International Cooperation Agency]] (JICA) and the [[Asian Development Bank]] (ADB), who are behind most of the infrastructure projects. Even though the law says informal settlers need to be relocated, it’s not clear if they’ll get compensated for the replacement cost of their structures. This could lead to issues with JICA guidelines, especially along the route of the PNR that the NSCR will follow. According to the source, there was an effort to fix this issue in the proposed amendment to the Right of Way Act, but lawmakers didn’t manage to pass the bill before the 19th Congress took a break for elections.<ref name=":6" />

Prior to its closure, the current [[Philippine National Railways|PNR]] service was also being expanded, with the [[PNR Metro Commuter Line|PNR Metro Commuter]] opening stations in [[Caloocan]] and [[Malabon]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/662595/dotr-sees-10-000-passengers-taking-pnr-s-reopened-caloocan-dela-rosa-line/story/|title=20 YEARS AFTER: DOTr sees 10,000 passengers taking PNR's reopened Caloocan-Dela Rosa line|work=GMA News Online|access-date=August 1, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155149/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/662595/dotr-sees-10-000-passengers-taking-pnr-s-reopened-caloocan-dela-rosa-line/story/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pnrofficialpage/posts/2221195757925777|title=Philippine National Railways|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731094449/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpnrofficialpage%2Fposts%2F2221195757925777|url-status=live}}</ref> PNR is also planning to reintroduce services to the Carmona branch line.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|title=Department of Transportation - Philippines|url=https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/posts/1186365421502592|url-status=live|website=Facebook|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731094419/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDOTrPH%2Fposts%2F1186365421502592}}</ref> New rolling stock was also acquired from [[PT INKA]] in Indonesia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pnr.gov.ph/news-media/press-releases/252-new-dmu-trains-for-pnr-in-2019|title=NEW DMU TRAINS FOR PNR IN 2019|website=pnr.gov.ph|language=en-gb|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=September 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901102955/http://pnr.gov.ph/news-media/press-releases/252-new-dmu-trains-for-pnr-in-2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:A passenger train in Panay (c.1917).jpg|thumb|The Panay line in 1917.]]

===Panay===
From the beginning of the [[History of the Philippines (1898–1946)|American colonial period of the Philippines]], the new American colonial [[Insular Government]] was committed to building new railways. The [[Philippine Railway Company]], predecessor of the current [[Panay Railways]], was incorporated in Connecticut on March 5, 1906.<ref name="Salvilla">{{cite news|last=Salvilla|first=Rex S.|title=Panay Railways|newspaper=The News Today|date=July 28, 2006}}</ref>  It was part of a "Manila syndicate", a collection of Philippine infrastructure companies including the [[Manila Electric Railway and Light Company]], incorporated in New Jersey, the Manila Construction Company, and the [[Manila Suburban Railways Company]].<ref name="CravathFirm">{{cite book|last=Swaine|first=Robert T.|title=The Cravath firm and its predecessors, 1819–1947|year=2005|publisher=Lawbook Exchange|location=Clark, N.J.|isbn=9781584777137|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p8jmmSwD9KEC&q=%22Philippine%20Railway%20Company%22&pg=RA1-PA104|access-date=October 4, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731094526/https://books.google.com/books?id=p8jmmSwD9KEC&q=%22Philippine+Railway+Company%22&pg=RA1-PA104|url-status=live}}</ref>  Later the Philippines Railways Construction Company was added.<ref name="CravathFirm" /> [[Cornelius Vanderbilt]] and [[William Salomon]], among other leading American railwaymen sat on the board.

On May 28, 1906, the [[Philippine Commission]] granted to the Philippine Railway Corporation a concession to construct railways on the islands of Panay, [[Negros (island)|Negros]] and Cebu.<ref name="ChanRobles">{{cite web|title=G.R. No. L-10045 March 25, 1916 (decision of the Supreme Court)|url=http://www.chanrobles.com/scdecisions/jurisprudence1916/mar1916/gr_l-10045_1916.php|publisher=Chan Robles Virtual Law Library|access-date=May 19, 2014|archive-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519164640/http://www.chanrobles.com/scdecisions/jurisprudence1916/mar1916/gr_l-10045_1916.php|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Engine Panay Railways 3.JPG|thumb|Engine of the Panay Railways on display in a plaza of [[Iloilo City]].]]Construction began on a railroad from [[Iloilo City]] to [[Roxas City]] in [[Capiz]] with crews working from both cities and meeting in the middle in 1907.<ref name=Salvilla />   Operations began immediately upon completion.<ref name=Salvilla />  In 1985, passenger operations ceased while in 1989 freight operations ceased.<ref name=Guardian2005>{{cite news|last=Angelo|first=Francis Allan L.|title=PANAY RAILWAY REHAB NEXT YEAR|url=http://francisallanangelo.blogspot.com/2005/10/panay-railway-rehab-next-year.html|access-date=May 12, 2014|newspaper=The Daily Guardian|date=October 30, 2005|archive-date=May 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010854/http://francisallanangelo.blogspot.com/2005/10/panay-railway-rehab-next-year.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cebu===
The Philippine Railway Company, along with operating the Panay line, operated a line in [[Cebu]] from 1911 to 1942, when operations ceased because of the [[Japanese occupation of the Philippines]] during World War II.<ref name=DOTC>{{cite web|title=Ang kasaysayan ng Panay Railways Incorporated|url=http://philippinerailways.blogspot.com/2012/06/ang-kasaysayan-ng-panay-railways.html|publisher=Department of Trade and Communication via the Philippine Railways Blog (an advocacy website)|access-date=May 12, 2014|date=June 5, 2012|archive-date=May 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512225643/http://philippinerailways.blogspot.com/2012/06/ang-kasaysayan-ng-panay-railways.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  The line ran from [[Danao, Cebu|Danao]] south through [[Cebu City]] to [[Argao, Cebu|Argao]].<ref name=ttcn.ne.jp>{{cite web|url=http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~Philrail/Philippines_r_cebu.htm|title=Cebu Is. PHILIPPINES RAILWAY Co.|access-date=May 17, 2014|archive-date=May 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522024243/http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~Philrail/Philippines_r_cebu.htm|url-status=live}} Has map showing roughly the route. In Japanese.</ref> The line was built by the related Philippine Railways Construction Company.<ref>{{cite news
| title       = The old Cebu Railway
| first       = Erica Jean
| last        = Palmera
| newspaper   = The Freeman
| url         = http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2014/05/15/1323377/old-cebu-railway
| date        = May 15, 2014
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140519191421/http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2014/05/15/1323377/old-cebu-railway
| archive-date = May 19, 2014
| access-date  = March 25, 2015
| url-status     = live
}}</ref>

== Services ==

===Commuter rail===
The Philippines currently has two operational commuter lines: the PNR Inter-Provincial Commuter between Laguna and Quezon and the PNR Bicol Commuter Line, located in the Bicol Region. All of these lines are operated by [[Philippine National Railways]].
[[File:PNR Alabang INKA CC300 9003 PC 8302 2022-03-05.jpg|thumb|241x241px|A [[PNR 9000 class]] and [[PNR 8300 class|8300 class]] at [[Alabang station]].]]

==== PNR Metro Commuter Line ====
{{Main|PNR Metro Commuter Line}}
The PNR Metro Commuter line stretches from [[Tondo, Manila]] to the southern and northern edge of [[Metro Manila]]. It links the cities of Manila, [[Caloocan]], [[Malabon]], [[Makati]], [[Taguig]], [[Parañaque]] and [[Muntinlupa]] and the province of [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pnr.gov.ph/northbound-southbound-timetable|title=PNR Official Site – Northbound & Southbound Timetable|author=<!-- modules -->|date=October 29, 2014|publisher=Philippine National Railways|access-date=September 5, 2016|archive-date=August 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830191933/http://www.pnr.gov.ph/northbound-southbound-timetable|url-status=live}}</ref> Currently, there are 31 railway stations, with more stations planned to be reopened in the future.<ref name="auto1"/> The current line is colored orange on most maps.

The line ceased operations in March 2024 to make way for the [[North–South Commuter Railway|North-South Commuter Railway]] upon its completion.

==== PNR Inter-Provincial Commuter ====

The Inter-Provincial Commuter is a 44-kilometer (27&nbsp;mi) commuter and regional rail service between San Pablo, Laguna and Lucena, Quezon. It has been proposed as part of the PNR South Long Haul project in 2019. The service had its first trial run on February 14, 2022, and was reopened on June 26.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/25/pnr-san-pablo-lucena-route-re-opened/ | title=PNR San Pablo-Lucena route re-opened | website=[[Manila Bulletin]] | date=June 25, 2022 }}</ref>

==== Bicol Commuter ====
The ''Bicol Commuter'' service is a [[commuter rail]] service in the Bicol Region, between stations in [[Tagkawayan, Quezon]], and [[Legazpi, Albay]], with [[Naga, Camarines Sur|Naga]] in [[Camarines Sur]] acting as a central terminal. It has three services: Tagkawayan-Naga (suspended), Sipocot-Naga (operational), and Naga-Legazpi (operational)

The service was first launched on September 16, 2009 as Tagkawayan-Naga and Naga-Ligao.<ref name="bicol-commuter">{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090918-225735/Bicol-train-chugs-to-a-halt-in-test-run |title=Bicol train chugs to a halt in test run |first1=Juan |last1=Escandor Jr. |first2=Pons |last2=Caudilla |date=September 18, 2009 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|location=Manila |access-date=April 29, 2010 |quote=The spirit was willing, but the diesel-fed old engines were not. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922192110/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090918-225735/Bicol-train-chugs-to-a-halt-in-test-run |archive-date=September 22, 2009 }}</ref> The trains were planned to make seven trips a day, alternating between Tagkawayan, [[Sipocot, Camarines Sur|Sipocot]], Naga City and Legazpi.  All services used [[KiHa 52]] in revised blue livery.

However after further reductions, only the service between Sipocot and Naga was operating by December 2013.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 29, 2013|title=Bicol Express revival hinges on safety issues|work=The Philippine Star|url=http://www.philstar.com/business/2013/12/29/1272906/bicol-express-revival-hinges-safety-issues|access-date=October 31, 2016}}</ref>  Service resumed between Naga and Legazpi on September 18, 2015, with one train a day.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|date=September 19, 2015|title=Train: Naga to Legazpi open! Soon again Bicol Express?|url=https://www.silent-gardens.com/blog/bicol-express-open/|access-date=October 31, 2016}}</ref> However, services were again cut in April 2017 due to an absence of rolling stock, which was worsened by a succession of typhoons that damaged railroads in the Bicol region.<ref>{{cite web |title=After 6 years rail trips resume in Bicol |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1878578/after-6-years-rail-trips-resume-in-bicol |website=Inquirer|date=December 23, 2023 }}</ref>

Definitive plans to restore the entire route from Sipocot, Naga and Legazpi were bared with an inspection trip from Tutuban on September 20, 2019, with a rerailment crew, including certain areas of Quezon Province, in preparation of the restoration of more routes previously suspended.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/posts/1466148663524265 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/130406490431829/1466148663524265 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Department of Transportation – Philippines|website=www.facebook.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 
First to be restored was the operation of the Naga-Sipocot segment of the Bicol Commuter service in 2022. On the 31st of July 2022, the PNR resumed operations between Ligao and Naga, with two daily trips in service. The Naga–Legazpi route was reopened on December 27, 2023, six years after its suspension in April 2017 due to insufficient trains.<ref>{{Cite news|title=PNR reopens Naga-Legazpi route after six years |first=Ted |last=Cordero |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/892409/pnr-reopens-naga-legazpi-route-after-six-years/story/ |work=GMA Integrated News |date=2023-12-27 |access-date=2023-12-27}}</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, the train used for the Naga-Legazpi Route is the [[PNR 8300 class|8300 class]] coaches pulled by a [[INKA CC300]] locomotive. While the [[PNR 8000 class|8000 class DMU]] is used in the Naga - Sipocot Line.

=== Rapid transit ===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = LRT-1 Blumentritt 2011.jpg
| width1 = 210
| caption1 = An LRT Line 1 train of the [[Manila Light Rail Transit System|LRTA System]] at the [[Blumentritt station (LRT)|Blumentritt Station]].
| image2 = MRT-2 J. Ruiz Station.jpg
| width2 = 210
| caption2 = An [[Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 2|LRT Line 2]] train at the platform of the [[J. Ruiz station|J. Ruiz Station]].
| image3 = Manila MRT-3 3000 class Kamuning 2021-11-13.jpg
| width3 = 210
| caption3 = An [[Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3|MRT Line 3]] train near [[Kamuning station]].
}}There are two rapid transit systems operating in the country: the Manila Light Rail Transit System, and the Manila Metro Rail System, both serving passengers in Metro Manila. Many passengers who ride the systems also take various forms of road-based public transport, such as buses, to and from a station to reach their intended destination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lrta.gov.ph/|title=Light Rail Transit Authority &#124; Serbisyong Ayos!|access-date=July 31, 2021|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518034337/https://www.lrta.gov.ph/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Beep (smart card)|Beep]], a [[contactless smart card]], is used to pay fares for the lines.

==== Manila Light Rail Transit System ====
{{Main|Manila Light Rail Transit System}}
The Manila Light Rail Transit System is one of the two [[rapid transit]] systems serving the [[Metro Manila]] area of the [[Philippines]]. There are two lines to the system: [[Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1|Line 1]] and [[Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 2|Line 2]] The system is under the jurisdiction of the [[Light Rail Transit Authority]], although the [[Light Rail Manila Corporation]] is responsible for the operations and maintenance of Line 1.

Although the system is referred to as a "[[light rail]]" system, arguably because the network is mostly elevated, the system is more akin to a [[rapid transit]] (metro) system in European-North American terms. The Manila LRT system is the first metro system in [[Southeast Asia]], earlier than the [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Singapore MRT]] by three years.<ref name="CTRT2">{{cite web|url=http://cityrailtransit.com/timeline/manila_timeline.htm|title=Manila Timeline|website=cityrailtransit.com|access-date=July 20, 2017|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713222242/http://www.cityrailtransit.com/timeline/manila_timeline.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Its 38 stations along over {{convert|43.5|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=}} of mostly elevated track form two lines. LRT Line 1, opened in 1984, travels a north–south route. LRT Line 2, opened in 2003, travels along an east–west route. All of the stations of LRT lines 1 and 2 are elevated, except for the [[Katipunan station]] (which is underground).<ref name="gabay2">[http://www.lrta.gov.ph/citizenscharter/Mga%20Gabay%20sa%20Pasaherong%20Sasakay%20ng%20LRT.pdf ''Mga Gabay sa Pasaherong Sasakay ng LRT''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304192802/http://www.lrta.gov.ph/citizenscharter/Mga%20Gabay%20sa%20Pasaherong%20Sasakay%20ng%20LRT.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }} [Tips for Passengers Riding the LRT]. [ca. 2010] (in Filipino). Light Rail Transit Authority. Retrieved March 13, 2010.</ref>

The system is not related to the [[Manila Metro Rail Transit System|MRT]], or the Yellow Line, which forms a completely different but linked system.

==== Manila Metro Rail Transit System ====
{{Main|Manila Metro Rail Transit System}}
The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) is the second [[rapid transit]] system serving [[Metro Manila]] in the [[Philippines]]. It originally began as a single line ([[MRT Line 3 (Metro Manila)|MRT Line 3]]) that was first opened in 1999 and became fully operational by the year 2000. The MRT branding is currently associated with rapid transit lines in Metro Manila not under the jurisdiction of the LRTA, including lines 7 and 9, although the three lines will have different operators.

The system currently has 13 stations along {{convert|16.9|km|mi|sp=us|abbr=}} of mostly elevated track in an orbital north–south route. MRT Line 3, the first line in the system, opened in 1999.

== Operators ==

===Philippine National Railways===
{{Main|Philippine National Railways}}
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is a [[Government-owned and controlled corporation|state-owned]] [[railway company]]. As of 2016, it operates one [[commuter rail]] service in [[Metro Manila]] and local services between [[Sipocot, Camarines Sur|Sipocot]], [[Naga, Camarines Sur|Naga City]] and [[Legazpi, Albay|Legazpi City]] in the [[Bicol Region]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pnr.gov.ph/getting-around/metro-commuter-line/fares-tickets|title=Fares & Tickets|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-date=November 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101104206/http://www.pnr.gov.ph/getting-around/metro-commuter-line/fares-tickets|url-status=live}}</ref> PNR began operations on November 24, 1892, as the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan, during the [[History of the Philippines (1521–1898)|Spanish colonial period]], and later becoming the Manila Railroad Company (MRR) during the [[History of the Philippines (1898–1946)|American colonial period]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pnr.gov.ph/about-contact-us/who-we-are/pnr-in-philippine-history/pnr-in-philippine-history|title=PNR in Philippine History|website=www.pnr.gov.ph|language=en-gb|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043029/http://www.pnr.gov.ph/about-contact-us/who-we-are/pnr-in-philippine-history/pnr-in-philippine-history|url-status=live}}</ref> It became the Philippine National Railways on June 20, 1964, by virtue of Republic Act No. 4156. The PNR is an agency of the [[Department of Transportation (Philippines)|Department of Transportation]].

=== Light Rail Transit Authority ===
{{Main|Light Rail Transit Authority}}
The Light Rail Transit Authority, founded in 1981,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo1980/eo_603_1980.html|title=Executive Order No. 603, s. 1980|website=The LAWPHiL Project|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215161824/https://www.lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo1980/eo_603_1980.html|url-status=live}}</ref> is the owner of the Manila LRT system. It was the operator of LRT Line 1 and the current operator of LRT Line 2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lrta.gov.ph/index.php/railway-operations|title=Railway Operations|website=Light Rail Transit Authority|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215201503/http://www.lrta.gov.ph/index.php/railway-operations|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Light Rail Manila Corporation ===
{{Main|Light Rail Manila Corporation}}
Light Rail Manila Corporation is a rail service company formed in 2014. It is the current operator of Line 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://business.inquirer.net/1567/lrt-mrt-privatization-to-benefit-commuters-dotc-says|title=LRT, MRT privatization to benefit commuters, DoTC says|author=Montecillo, Paolo|date=May 9, 2011|publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]|access-date=March 30, 2019|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330085657/https://business.inquirer.net/1567/lrt-mrt-privatization-to-benefit-commuters-dotc-says|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pdi">{{cite web|url=https://business.inquirer.net/199164/lrt-1-now-under-ayala-metro-pacific-management|title=LRT1 now under Ayala, Metro Pacific management|author1=Cabacungan, Gil|author2=Camus, Miguel|date=September 15, 2015|publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]|access-date=March 30, 2019|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330085627/https://business.inquirer.net/199164/lrt-1-now-under-ayala-metro-pacific-management|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Metro Rail Transit Corporation ===
{{Main|Metro Rail Transit Corporation}}
A private consortium of seven companies, Metro Rail Transit Corporation is owner and operator of Line 3 under a [[Build–operate–transfer]] agreement with the Department of Transportation. It was formed in 1995.<ref name="y2k">{{cite news|author=Anonas, Alma S.|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=19990610&id=SpQVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5285,1683911|title=On track and heading for Year 2K on MRT-3|date=June 10, 1999|work=[[Manila Standard Today|Manila Standard]]|access-date=January 21, 2014|publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corporation|archive-date=July 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710105532/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=19990610&id=SpQVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5285,1683911|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Others ===

* '''[[Panay Railways]]''': a government owned and controlled corporation of the Philippines, the company previously operated services on the Panay and Cebu islands. Panay Railways currently does not own rail and rolling stock, only properties.<ref name="DOTC22"/>
* '''SMC Mass Rail Transit 7 Incorporated''': previously known as the Universal LRT Corporation, the company will be the owner and operator of MRT Line 7 upon completion, under a [[build–operate–transfer]] agreement with the Department of Transportation. It is a subsidiary of [[San Miguel Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/208-infrastructure/129485-smc-mass-rail-transit-mrt7|title=San Miguel Corp forms new company for MRT7|last=Rappler.com|website=Rappler|date=April 14, 2016|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=August 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809221718/http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/208-infrastructure/129485-smc-mass-rail-transit-mrt7|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Railways under construction ==

===Commuter rail===

==== North–South Commuter Railway ====
{{Main|North–South Commuter Railway}}
The North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR), is a {{Convert|147|km|mi|abbr=on}} railway being constructed in [[Luzon]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=http://build.gov.ph/Home/Project_Details/34?Agency=DOTr|title=Project_Details – BUILD|website=build.gov.ph|access-date=April 27, 2019|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814044704/http://build.gov.ph/Home/Project_Details/34?Agency=DOTr|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":132">{{cite web|url=http://letsvote-dev.zed.ph/BBB/Home/Project_Details/35?Agency=DOTr|title=Project Details – Build|date=June 1, 2018|website=Build.gov.ph|access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=July 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=":14">{{cite web|url=http://build.gov.ph/Home/Project_Details/36?Agency=DOTr|title=Project Details – Build|date=June 1, 2018|website=Build.gov.ph|access-date=January 9, 2020|archive-date=March 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316184422/http://www.build.gov.ph/Home/Project_Details/36?Agency=DOTr|url-status=live}}</ref> Partial operations will begin by 2026,<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2023 |title=DOTr eyes NSCR's Malolos-Clark partial ops in 2026, full ops in 2029 |url=https://ptvnews.ph/dotr-eyes-nscrs-malolos-clark-partial-ops-in-2026-full-ops-in-2029/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=[[People's Television Network|PTV]]}}</ref> and full operations is expected to begin by 2029.<ref>{{Cite web |last=De Leon |first=Susan |date=April 28, 2023 |title=North-South Commuter Railway Project to resurrect rail transport in the PH –Bautista |url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/04/28/north-south-commuter-railway-project-to-resurrect-rail-transport-in-the-ph-bautista |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=[[Philippine Information Agency|PIA]]}}</ref>

=== Rapid transit ===

==== Line extensions ====

* [[LRT Line 1 (Metro Manila)#Extension to Cavite|LRT Line 1 south extension]]: LRT Line 1 will be extended further south by {{convert|5.5|km|sp=us}}, from its terminus in [[Dr. Santos station]] in [[Parañaque]] to [[Niog station]] in [[Bacoor]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/659246/tugade-says-lrt1-cavite-extension-to-be-completed-in-2021/story/|title=DESPITE DELAYS: Tugade says LRT1 Cavite extension to be completed in 2021|work=GMA News Online|access-date=July 8, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=July 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708143039/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/659246/tugade-says-lrt1-cavite-extension-to-be-completed-in-2021/story/|url-status=live}}</ref> Construction started in September 1, 2019, and as of November 16, 2024, it is partially operational.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://business.inquirer.net/292061/the-ongoing-infrastructure-projects-make-southern-metro-investments-ideal|title=The ongoing infrastructure projects make Southern Metro investments ideal|last=Villafuerte|first=Din M.|website=business.inquirer.net|date=March 7, 2020|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=April 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408001014/https://business.inquirer.net/292061/the-ongoing-infrastructure-projects-make-southern-metro-investments-ideal|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[LRT Line 2 (Metro Manila)#West extension|LRT Line 2 west extension]]: LRT Line 2 will be extended by {{convert|3|km|sp=us}} westward. The west extension is projected to start by 2025.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/13/19/look-govt-to-build-3-more-lrt-2-stations|title=LOOK: Gov't to build 3 more LRT-2 stations|work=ABS-CBN News|date=October 13, 2019|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123222442/https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/13/19/look-govt-to-build-3-more-lrt-2-stations|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/711587/lrt2-to-add-more-stations-in-tutuban-divisoria-and-pier-4/story/|title=LOOK: LRT2 to add more stations in Tutuban, Divisoria and Pier 4|website=GMA News Online|date=October 14, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516101845/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/711587/lrt2-to-add-more-stations-in-tutuban-divisoria-and-pier-4/story/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:MRT-7_Batasan_Station_Construction.jpg|right|thumb|Construction of [[Batasan station]] along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City as of August 2018.]]

==== MRT Line 7 ====
{{Main|MRT Line 7}}
The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT Line 7) is a [[rapid transit]] line under construction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://business.inquirer.net/287212/mrt-7-now-over-50-complete|title=MRT 7 now over 50% complete|last=Camus|first=Miguel R.|website=business.inquirer.net|date=January 17, 2020|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406134524/https://business.inquirer.net/287212/mrt-7-now-over-50-complete|url-status=live}}</ref> When completed, the line will be {{convert|22.8|km|sp=us}} long serviced by 14 stations. The line runs in a northeast–southwest direction, beginning at [[San Jose del Monte]], [[Bulacan]] up to the under construction [[North Avenue Grand Central station]] located in [[North Avenue, Quezon City|North Avenue]], [[Quezon City]].

====Metro Manila Subway====
{{Main|Metro Manila Subway}}
The Metro Manila Subway (MMS)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.investphilippines.info/arangkada/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2-DOTR.pdf |title=Arangkada Philippines &#124; A Project of the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines |access-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216212151/http://www.investphilippines.info/arangkada/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2-DOTR.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>  is an underground rapid transit line currently under construction in [[Metro Manila]], Philippines. The {{convert|36|km|0|sp=us|adj=on}} line, which will run north–south between [[Valenzuela City]], [[Quezon City]], [[Pasig]], [[Makati]], [[Taguig]], and [[Pasay]], consists of 15 stations between the [[Quirino Highway station|Quirino Highway]] and [[FTI station|FTI]] stations.

==== Makati Intra-city Subway ====
{{Main|Makati Intra-city Subway}}
The Makati Intra-city Subway was a planned 11-kilometer (6.8&nbsp;mi)<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=July 26, 2018|title=The Makati Subway|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/multimedia/infographic/07/27/18/the-makati-subway|access-date=December 7, 2020|work=ABS-CBN News|language=en|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126023146/https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/multimedia/infographic/07/27/18/the-makati-subway|url-status=live}}</ref> under-construction underground [[rapid transit]] line to be located in [[Makati]], [[Metro Manila]], that will link establishments across the city's business district. It was to be built under a public-private partnership program between the Makati city government and a private consortium, led by Philippine Infradev Holdings. The subway was expected to begin construction by December 2020, with a 2025 deadline.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Makati City, IRC consortium likely to break ground for subway project by year-end|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/665079/makati-city-irc-consortium-likely-to-break-ground-for-subway-project-by-year-end/story/|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=GMA News Online|date=August 22, 2018 |language=en|archive-date=September 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211522/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/665079/makati-city-irc-consortium-likely-to-break-ground-for-subway-project-by-year-end/story/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ten-station subway line was expected to cost $3.7 billion (or ₱192 billion) and was expected to accommodate 700,000 passengers daily,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Iris|title=Makati subway to break ground by December|url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2018/08/27/1846076/makati-subway-break-ground-december|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=Philstar.com|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116005847/https://www.philstar.com/business/2018/08/27/1846076/makati-subway-break-ground-december|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Esguerra|first=Darryl John|date=August 23, 2018|title=Construction of Makati City subway system to start in December|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1024413/construction-of-makati-city-subway-system-to-start-in-december|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en|archive-date=September 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211556/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1024413/construction-of-makati-city-subway-system-to-start-in-december|url-status=live}}</ref> with connections to the existing [[MRT Line 3 (Metro Manila)|Line 3]], the [[Pasig River Ferry Service]], and the approved [[Metro Manila Subway Line 9|Line 9 (Metro Manila Subway)]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestandard.com.ph/business/transport-tourism/268540/irc-gets-original-proponent-status-for-makati-subway.html|title=IRC gets original proponent status for Makati subway|date=June 20, 2018|work=Manila Standard|access-date=June 22, 2018|archive-date=June 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622164736/http://www.thestandard.com.ph/business/transport-tourism/268540/irc-gets-original-proponent-status-for-makati-subway.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, after the [[Makati–Taguig boundary dispute]], the subway project was deemed no longer viable.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Transfer of Embo barangays to Taguig affected Makati’s subway project |first=Zeus |last=Legaspi |date=January 25, 2024 |work= [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1894362/transfer-of-embo-barangays-to-taguig-affected-makati-subway-project |access-date=February 28, 2024}}</ref>

== Railways planned or proposed ==

=== Rapid transit ===
====Automated Guideway Transit System====
{{main|Automated Guideway Transit System project (Philippines)}}
{{multiple image
| image1 = Philippine Railways Manila UP Diliman Monorail 2012.jpg
| width1 = 210
| caption1 = [[UP Diliman AGT]]
| image2 = Bicutan AGT Systems.jpg
| width2 = 210
| caption2 = [[Bicutan Automated Guideway Transit System|Bicutan AGT]]
}}

The [[Department of Science and Technology (Philippines)|Department of Science and Technology]] has commenced a project to develop a locally designed and manufactured Automated Guideway Transit System.

*'''[[Bicutan Automated Guideway Transit System|Bicutan AGT]]''' — Originally one of the two proposed [[automated guideway transit|AGT]] lines, the other being the cancelled [[UP Diliman Automated Guideway Transit System|UP Diliman AGT]]. It will follow the alignment of General Santos Avenue and C-6 road in southern [[Taguig]], connecting the offices of [[Department of Science and Technology (Philippines)|DOST]] and nearby areas.

==== Monorail ====
* '''Baguio Monorail''' — A 4-km elevated monorail with 8 stations around the central business area will be funded by Metro Global Holdings Corporation through a public-private partnership.<ref>{{Cite news |last=See |first=Dexter A. |date=February 22, 2021 |title=Metro Global's proposed Baguio mass transport project set at P11.5B |work=Business World |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/editors-picks/2021/02/22/346063/metro-globals-proposed-baguio-mass-transport-project-set-at-p11-5b/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cabuenas |first=Jon Viktor D. |date=February 22, 2021 |title=Metro Global proposes P11.5-B mass transport, monorail system in Baguio |work=GMA News Online |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/776955/metro-global-proposes-p11-5-b-mass-transport-monorail-system-in-baguio/story/}}</ref>
* '''[[Davao People Mover]]''' —  A {{convert|28|km|sp=us|adj=on|abbr=off}} monorail project has been endorsed by the City Government of Davao to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Philippine National Railways (PNR).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Perez|first1=Ace June Rell S.|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2015/10/21/davao-city-endorses-monorail-project-437144|title=Davao City endorses monorail project|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=October 21, 2015|publisher=Sun Star|archive-date=October 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027002142/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2015/10/21/davao-city-endorses-monorail-project-437144|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Iloilo Monorail''' — BYD, a Shenzhen-based company conducted a two-month feasibility study to construct a monorail in Iloilo. The first phase of the 20-kilometer (12-mile) system was expected to start operations by 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-23/buffett-backed-byd-wins-first-overseas-contract-for-monorail|title=Buffett-Backed BYD Wins First Overseas Contract for Monorail|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=June 22, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622164913/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-23/buffett-backed-byd-wins-first-overseas-contract-for-monorail|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/23/chinese-firm-conducts-iloilo-monorail-study/|title=Chinese firm conducts Iloilo monorail study|work=Manila Bulletin News|access-date=June 22, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=June 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622165318/http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/23/chinese-firm-conducts-iloilo-monorail-study/|url-status=live}}</ref> This project was shelved after 2018.
*'''[[SkyTrain (Metro Manila)]]''' — The construction of the SkyTrain is projected to cost ₱3.5 billion and is yet to commence.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=March 4, 2020|title=Groundbreaking for Skytrain seen in H2|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/03/04/business/companies/groundbreaking-for-skytrain-seen-in-h2/699979/|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=The Manila Times|language=en-US|archive-date=July 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713080025/https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/03/04/business/companies/groundbreaking-for-skytrain-seen-in-h2/699979/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Alliance Global begins monorail project in Makati|language=en|work=Manila Standard|url=https://manilastandard.net/business/corporate/268278/alliance-global-begins-monorail-project-in-makati.html|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731094422/https://manilastandard.net/business/corporate/268278/alliance-global-begins-monorail-project-in-makati.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Camus|first=Miguel R.|date=June 17, 2019|title=Makati-BGC monorail project picks up speed|url=https://business.inquirer.net/272722/makati-bgc-monorail-project-picks-up-speed|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227052127/https://business.inquirer.net/272722/makati-bgc-monorail-project-picks-up-speed|url-status=live}}</ref> Infracorp will construct the monorail line for two years and planned to make the SkyTrain operational by the end of 2021. Infracorp aimed to commence Groundbreaking in Late 2020, but not update has been given as of December 7, 2020.<ref name=":1" /> The Monorail is also set to connect to the [[Makati Intra-city Subway]], [[Guadalupe station (MRT)|MRT 3 Guadalupe]], and the [[Pasig River Ferry Service]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dumlao-Abadilla|first=Doris|date=December 13, 2019|title=Makati subway to connect to Skytrain|url=https://business.inquirer.net/285338/makati-subway-to-connect-to-skytrain|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516103637/https://business.inquirer.net/285338/makati-subway-to-connect-to-skytrain|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''[[Cebu Monorail]]''' —  Previously the Cebu LRT,<ref name=":52">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/cebu-lrt-brt-common-stations-priority-to-be-up-by-2020/|title=Cebu LRT-BRT common stations priority to be up by 2020 {{!}} BusinessWorld|last=bw_mark|website=[[BusinessWorld]] |date=December 11, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=December 13, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215225056/https://www.bworldonline.com/cebu-lrt-brt-common-stations-priority-to-be-up-by-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref> the system will have two lines. One will be Central Line passing through downtown Cebu and its neighboring areas, and the Airport Line heading towards [[Mactan–Cebu International Airport]].<ref name="ceb">Department of Transportation and Egis documents, via {{Cite web |title=Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Is Set To Go On Full Swing On Its Operation |url=http://cebunibai.com/2020/03/06/bus-rapid-transit-brt-is-set-to-go-on-full-swing-on-its-operation/ |website=www.cebunibai.com |date=March 6, 2020 |access-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308055909/http://cebunibai.com/2020/03/06/bus-rapid-transit-brt-is-set-to-go-on-full-swing-on-its-operation/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is set to open before the end of 2021.<ref name="pna">{{Cite news |first=John Rey |last=Saavedra |title=Cebu BRT project partially operational before yearend: Tugade |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1128005 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |publisher=Philippine News Agency |date=January 20, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 }}</ref>
* '''Pasay Monorail''' — A 1.89&nbsp;km monorail that will connect with MRT-3 Taft Station and LRT-1 EDSA Station to [[SM Mall of Asia]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/03/integrated-monorail-system-to-boost-property-values-in-moa-complex/ | title=Integrated Monorail System to boost property values in MOA Complex | website=[[Manila Bulletin]] | date=July 3, 2022 }}</ref>
* '''Pasig City Transit Express''' — A {{convert|16.35|km|sp=us|adj=on|abbr=off}} monorail that connects within the urban of [[Pasig City]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.systraphil.com/portfolio/feasibility-study-for-the-pasig-city-transit-system/ | title=Feasibility Study for the Pasig City Transit System }}</ref>

==== Light rail ====
* [[LRT Line 6 (Cavite)|'''LRT Line 6''']] —  A proposed rapid transit line in Cavite that will connect with LRT Line 1 in Bacoor and end at Dasmariñas. The project is indefinitely shelved by the national government due to space constraints along Aguinaldo Highway where it will be routed, but a private firm has presented an unsolicited proposal that modifies the alignment so to follow Bacoor Boulevard and Molino-Paliparan Road, and include 4 branches serving southern Metro Manila.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Modified Light Rail Transit (LRT)-6 Project (formerly LRT 6 Cavite Line A) {{!}} PPP CenterPPP Center|url=https://ppp.gov.ph/ppp_projects/lrt-6-cavite-line-a/|access-date=April 8, 2020|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001225627/https://ppp.gov.ph/ppp_projects/lrt-6-cavite-line-a/|url-status=live}}</ref> 
*'''[[MRT Line 10 (Metro Manila)|MRT 10]]''' —  The project will be approximately {{convert|22.5|km|sp=us}} and a mostly elevated Light Railway Transit (LRT) System consisting of sixteen (16) stations along circumferential road C-5 connecting the Ninoy Aquino Terminal Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to Quezon City, terminating at Commonwealth Avenue with possible interchange with MRT7 at Tandang Sora Station and LRT Line 2 at Aurora Station. Trains will be stabled at the depot to be built at the UP property in Diliman, Quezon City.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Vera|first=Ben O. de|date=November 18, 2019|title=Tycoons' unsolicited PPP projects bolster 'Build, Build, Build'|url=https://business.inquirer.net/283618/tycoons-unsolicited-ppp-projects-bolster-build-build-build|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222140039/https://business.inquirer.net/283618/tycoons-unsolicited-ppp-projects-bolster-build-build-build|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=C5 MRT 10 Project {{!}} PPP CenterPPP Center|url=https://ppp.gov.ph/ppp_projects/c5-mrt-10-project/|access-date=December 19, 2020|language=en|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112004855/https://ppp.gov.ph/ppp_projects/c5-mrt-10-project/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ordinario|first=Cai|date=October 1, 2018|title=Neda reviews proposal for MRT 10, 2 other infrastructure projects {{!}} Cai Ordinario|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/10/01/neda-reviews-proposal-for-mrt-10-2-other-infrastructure-projects/|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=BusinessMirror|language=en-US|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032503/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/10/01/neda-reviews-proposal-for-mrt-10-2-other-infrastructure-projects/|url-status=live}}</ref> 
*'''Pampanga Mass Transit System''' — An LRT system is proposed for the Center Line of the Pampanga Mass Transit System, having been originally proposed in 2018. It will be served by feeder [[bus rapid transit]] lines.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Ian |last=Flora |title=Pampanga mass transit system gains ground |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1810605/Pampanga/Local-News/Pampanga-mass-transit-system-gains-ground |publisher=SunStar Pampanga |date=June 19, 2019 |access-date=August 15, 2021 }}</ref>
*'''Pasig River Light Rail''' — A {{Convert|27|km|abbr=on}} east–west [[light rail]] line along the [[Pasig River]] was proposed in 2019 by [[Hong Kong]]-based Kwan On Holdings and PowerChina Huadong of [[Hangzhou]], China, and was endorsed to the [[Metropolitan Manila Development Authority]]. The line will have 22 stations running beside the river from [[Manila Bay]] to [[Laguna de Bay]] and some portions will be located beside the [[Pasig River Expressway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kwan On : VOLUNTARY ANNOUNCEMENT BUSINESS UPDATE |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/Kwan-On-VOLUNTARY-ANNOUNCEMENT-BUSINESS-UPDATE--29200865/ |website=Market Screener |date=September 13, 2019 |access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref>
*'''Cagayan de Oro Metropolitan Railway''' – A proposed railway system that will located on Northern Mindanao and CARAGA Regions. It has 2 phases, one of them will connect the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Butuan.

==== Heavy rail ====
*[[MRT Line 4 (Metro Manila)|'''MRT Line 4''']] —  Initially proposed as a "heavy monorail" line,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/29/MRT-4-approval.html|title=MRT-4 project gets final approval|website=cnn|language=en|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=January 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129185312/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/29/MRT-4-approval.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> the line has been revised to heavy rail in September 2022.<ref>{{Cite report|title=PROJECT DESCRIPTION FOR SCOPING|url=https://eia.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Project-Description-for-Scoping_manila-mrt.pdf|work=Manila MRT L4|date=September 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> A {{convert|12.7|km|sp=us|adj=on|abbr=off}} elevated railway line will run from the junction of [[EDSA]] at [[Ortigas Center]] in [[Quezon City]] to [[Taytay, Rizal|Taytay]], [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]].
*'''[[MRT Line 8 (Metro Manila)|MRT 8]]''' —  The Metro Rail Transit Line 8, or MRT-8 (formerly designated as ''MRT-9'', now designated to [[Metro Manila Subway Line 9|Metro Manila Subway]]), also known as PNR East-West Line, is a proposed [[rapid transit]] line in the [[Philippines]]. It would be a 9-kilometer (5.6&nbsp;mi) railway system connecting [[Sampaloc, Manila]] and [[Diliman, Quezon City]] via [[Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City|Commonwealth Avenue]], [[Quezon Avenue]], and [[España Boulevard]]. The unsolicited proposal for the project was submitted to the Philippine government by Malaysia-based construction engineering company AlloyMTD group in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|title=AlloyMtd to embark on Philippine MRT-9 project next year {{!}} The Star|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/11/10/alloymtd-to-embark-on-philippine-mrt-9-project-next-year/|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=www.thestar.com.my|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222140044/https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/11/10/alloymtd-to-embark-on-philippine-mrt-9-project-next-year|url-status=live}}</ref> and is awaiting approval by the [[National Economic and Development Authority|National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)]]. According to MTD Philippines, Inc. President Patrick Nicholas David, the project would cost [[Philippine peso|₱]]60 billion.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
*'''MRT 11''' —  The project involves the construction of an approximately {{convert|18|km|sp=us}} of elevated structure starting from Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Balintawak in Quezon City traversing along Quirino Highway, Novaliches and Zabarte Road in north Caloocan up to Barangay Gaya-gaya in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. A passenger transfer facility shall be provided proximate to the EDSA-Balintawak station of LRT Line 1 and the MRT 11 Balintawak station.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=MRT-11 Project {{!}} PPP CenterPPP Center|url=https://ppp.gov.ph/ppp_projects/mrt-11-project/|access-date=December 19, 2020|language=en|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126091857/https://ppp.gov.ph/ppp_projects/mrt-11-project/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*'''Cebu Urban Mass Rapid Transit (UMRT)''' — The [[Cebu Urban Mass Rapid Transit]] is a proposed urban rapid transit system in [[Metro Cebu]]. These include the Central Line, a {{convert|67.5|km|sp=us|adj=on|abbr=off}} underground passenger railway line or subway system that would connect [[Carcar City]] in the south to as far as [[Danao City]] in the north, and the Coastal Line, starting from [[Talisay, Cebu|Talisay City]], [[Cebu City]], [[Mandaue City]], and [[Lapu-Lapu City]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Padronia |first=Earl Kim H. |date=2024-03-01 |title=DOTr plans revival of rail transit in Cebu |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/dotr-plans-revival-of-rail-transit-in-cebu |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=SunStar Publishing Inc. |language=en}}</ref>

=== Commuter rail ===
*The '''PNR Northeast Commuter Line''' or '''Cabanatuan–Makati line''' is a proposed reconstruction of the Balagtas–Cabanatuan branch of the North Main Line. It will branch off the northern half of the North–South Commuter Railway at [[Balagtas station]] in [[Bulacan]]. Once completed, it will become one of the three major [[commuter rail]] corridors in the Greater Capital Region, which consists of the NSCR and the intercity section of the South Main Line. It will connect [[Nueva Ecija]] and eastern Bulacan with [[Makati]] City in southern Metro Manila.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Joann |last=Villanueva |title=PNR asks for feasibility of Cabanatuan-Makati line |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1059754 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=January 22, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105115923/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1059754 |url-status=live }}</ref> There is also a proposed extension to [[San Jose, Nueva Ecija|San Jose]], sealing a loop with the NSCR North Phase 4 between [[Tarlac City]] in [[Tarlac]] and San Jose.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Feasibility Study for the Northeast Commuter Line |url=https://www.systraphil.com/portfolio/feasibility-study-for-the-northeast-commuter-line/ |website=www.systraphil.com |date=November 26, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-date=May 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525071525/https://www.systraphil.com/portfolio/feasibility-study-for-the-northeast-commuter-line/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*The '''Cavite–Laguna Railway''' is a rail line connecting the two provinces neighboring [[Metro Manila]] to the south, Cavite and Laguna.<ref name="prs"/> 
*The '''Bataan Railway Spur Line''' is a proposed project as a parallel to [[Roman Superhighway|Bataan Expressway]] that would link businesses and industrial hubs.<ref name=":5" />

=== Intercity rail ===
[[File:PNR Luzon Railways Program.png|thumb|A map of the PNR Luzon System development prior to 2019.]]
*The '''[[PNR South Long Haul]]''' project will involve the reconstruction of the old [[PNR South Main Line|South Main Line]] and its branch to Batangas City, both as unelectrified standard-gauge lines initially to operate on single-track configuration. The project was supposed to be financed by [[China|Chinese]] [[official development assistance]] but was withdrawn in 2023. As of 2025, no progress has been made when the project has not received funding yet when it was placed under preparatory works and has yet to secure all of the relocation of informal settlers.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rJfBwry3GHY |title=DOTr, aminadong malaking hamon sa kanila ang testing and commissioning ng MRT-7 |date=2025-01-03 |last=News5Everywhere |language=tagalog |trans-title=DOTr acknowledges that testing and commissioning of the MRT-7 is a major challenge for them |access-date=2025-01-04 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
*Considered to be one of the primary infrastructure projects of the [[Build! Build! Build! Infrastructure Plan]], the '''[[Mindanao Railway]]''' will consist of about 2,000 kilometers of trackage, with construction of the system divided into phases. The first phase, which is 105&nbsp;km, is expected to be completed by 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://build.gov.ph/SFTFiles/Documents/BBB%20Presentation%20for%20ICEP%202017_May%203%202017.pdf|title=Build Build Build Presentation|date=May 20, 2017|website=Build Build Build|access-date=July 14, 2017|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806182957/http://build.gov.ph/SFTFiles/Documents/BBB%20Presentation%20for%20ICEP%202017_May%203%202017.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The second phase will commence its feasibility study by 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/27/mindanao-railway-project-to-take-10-15-years-to-complete/amp/|title = Amparo Munoz: Her bittersweet reign| website=[[Manila Bulletin]] |date = June 6, 2021|access-date = October 27, 2020|archive-date = July 31, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210731094421/https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/06/amparo-munoz-her-bittersweet-reign/|url-status = live}}</ref> The initial railway will connect the cities of [[Tagum]], [[Davao City]] and [[Digos]] in [[Davao Region]], and the cities of [[General Santos]] and [[Koronadal|Koronadal (Marbel)]] in [[Soccsksargen Region]] with planned phases to connect other major cities in Mindanao, such as [[Cagayan de Oro]], [[Zamboanga City]], [[Cotabato City]] and [[Butuan]].
*There are two projects being proposed to reconstruct and extend the [[PNR North Main Line]]'s intercity section beyond [[New Clark City]] in [[Capas]], [[Tarlac]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/945318/breaking-news-dotr-department-of-transportation-tarlac-la-union-cagayan-luzon-northern-railway-network-asean-leah-quiambao-clark-city |title=Duterte gov't reviving Manila to North railway plan |website=www.inquirer.net |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628140321/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/945318/breaking-news-dotr-department-of-transportation-tarlac-la-union-cagayan-luzon-northern-railway-network-asean-leah-quiambao-clark-city |url-status=live }}</ref>
**The '''North Long Haul Inter–Regional Railway''', simply known as the '''North Long Haul''' and previously known as the '''North Long Haul West'''<ref name="bcda1">{{Cite web |title=Bidding Documents – Preliminary Works for the Subic–Clark Railway Project |url=https://www.bcda.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Bidding%20Documents_Advance%20Preliminary%20Works%20of%20Subic-Clark%20Railway%20Project(Part2).pdf |agency=[[Bases Conversion and Development Authority]] |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626171237/https://bcda.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Bidding%20Documents_Advance%20Preliminary%20Works%20of%20Subic-Clark%20Railway%20Project(Part2).pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> is the planned [[inter-city rail|long-distance rail system]] between Manila and northern Luzon.<ref name="cd1">{{Cite web|title=PROJECT WATCH: Rep. Rufus pushes for Skyway/LRT in CDO to ease traffic; gets support from DOTr officials|url=http://www.cdodev.com/2022/08/11/project-watch-rep-rufus-pushes-for-skyway-lrt-in-cdo-to-ease-traffic-gets-support-from-dotr-officials/|website=CDODev.com|date=August 11, 2022|access-date=August 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=PDMF Panel Sounding Activity|url=https://www.facebook.com/PPPCenter.Philippines/posts/pfbid02okxG4ByVim1GbQSvpGTpBcULWm3akJ4LUQcpxZUm7rFkdvnf1bdHVtTAqu7z8vmml|publisher=Public-Private Partnership Center|date=November 11, 2022|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> The project is divided into four phases: Phase 1 will be the overhaul of the old [[PNR North Main Line]] from Manila to [[Poro Point]] [[special economic zone|Freeport Zone]] in [[San Fernando, La Union]]; Phase 2 will cover the old line's reconstruction to [[Bacnotan]] and its extension to [[Vigan]]; Phase 3 will be from Vigan to [[Laoag]]; and Phase 4 is the Northeast Long Haul line to the [[Cagayan Valley]].<ref>{{Cite AV media|title=DOTr 2023 Budget Hearing|publisher=[[Senate of the Philippines]]|date=September 17, 2022}}</ref> The DOTr and the national PPP Center have commissioned [[SYSTRA|Systra]] and [[PwC]] Philippines/Isla Lipana & Co. to undertake studies for the North Long Haul Inter-Regional Railway Project.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Luzon inter-regional railway study underway |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/luzon-inter-regional-railway-study-underway/65700.article |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en}}</ref>
**The '''Northeast Long Haul''' line,<ref name="cd1"/> previously the '''North Long Haul East'''<ref name="bcda1"/> is the Phase 4 of the North Long Haul project as well as the latest plan to connect the Cagayan Valley to the rest of Luzon by rail,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1036596 |title=CEZA pursuing expressway, railway projects in Cagayan |work=Philippine News Agency |access-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421063458/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1036596 |url-status=live }}</ref> a project in its planning stages since 1875.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Arturo |last=Corpuz |title=Railroad and Regional Development in the Philippines: View From the Colonial Iron Horse, 1875–1935 |publisher=Cornell University |date=1989 |isbn=9789715422208}}</ref> If it follows the original 1962 plans, its most notable feature is a {{Convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} railway tunnel, the longest of its kind in the country and would be the highest point in the entire PNR system.<ref name="satre">{{Cite journal |last=Satre |first=G |url=https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr22/F38_Satre.html |title=The Cagayan Valley Railway Extension Project. |journal=Japan Railway & Transport Review |volume=22 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027153244/https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/jrtr/jrtr22/F38_Satre.html |url-status=live }}</ref> There is also a planned extension to [[Aparri]], as well as connecting the two main lines through a series of rail lines passing the [[Cordillera Administrative Region]].<ref>{{Cite news |first=Ben |last=de Vera |title=PNR mulls extending railway system to Nueva Ecija, Cagayan |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1076068/pnr-mulls-extending-railway-system-to-nueva-ecija-cagayan |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=January 22, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201101231/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1076068/pnr-mulls-extending-railway-system-to-nueva-ecija-cagayan |url-status=live }}</ref>
*The Philippine National Railways is interested in constructing a train network in the [[Visayas]], to be known as the '''Visayas Railway''', although no formal proposals have been made. On its [[vision statement]], the PNR aims to become a transnational railroad operator covering all three major island groups in the country including the [[Visayas]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=PNR MISSION, VISION AND MANDATE |url=http://www.pnr.gov.ph/pnr-mission-vision-and-mandate.html |website=www.pnr.gov.ph |publisher=[[Philippine National Railways]] |access-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510182653/http://www.pnr.gov.ph/pnr-mission-vision-and-mandate.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2016, two House Bills were sponsored for the reorganization of the PNR into three [[government-owned and controlled corporation]]s, one of them being the Visayas Railway Corporation (VRC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=[House Bill] 6593 |website=www.congress.gov.ph |publisher=[[Congress of the Philippines]] |url=https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06593.pdf |date=2016 |access-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511134020/https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06593.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=[House Bill] 7117 |website=www.congress.gov.ph |publisher=[[Congress of the Philippines]] |url=https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB07117.pdf |date=2020 |access-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511134027/https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB07117.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
**The [[Panay Railways]] aims to rebuild its network as a loop line around [[Panay]] island. Initially a {{Convert|117|km|abbr=on}} segment will be built between [[Iloilo City]] and [[Roxas, Capiz]]. The segment is estimated to cost US$1.5 billion. Planned extensions include a segment to [[Malay, Aklan]] and towards [[Antique (province)|Antique]] before completing the loop in Iloilo City.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Tara|last=Yap|title=$1.5 B needed for first phase of Panay railway revival|url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/26/1-5-b-needed-for-first-phase-of-panay-railway-revival/|work=[[Manila Bulletin]]|date=July 26, 2022}}</ref>
**The Samar–Leyte rail project aims to construct a network in the islands of [[Samar]] and [[Leyte]]. This proposal was announced during the 4th Philippine Railway Summit on October 26, 2022.<ref name="prs">{{Cite AV media|title=The 4th Philippine Railway Summit|publisher=Ang Litratista ng Daang Bakal|website=[[Facebook]]|url=https://www.facebook.com/AngLNDB/posts/518598686945289|date=October 26, 2022|access-date=October 28, 2022}}</ref>

=== Freight rail ===
*The '''Subic–Clark–Manila–Batangas (SCMB) Railway''' is a planned freight railway line that would connect [[Subic, Zambales|Subic]], [[Zambales]], [[Clark International Airport|Clark]], [[Manila]] and [[Batangas]]. DOTr Secretary [[Jaime Bautista]] announced the search for [[consultant]]s vis-à-vis the [[feasibility study]]. "Yes, this plan xxx is to extend it (from Clark) to Manila and Batangas, and it will be just one line," he explained.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Salting |first1=Ed Paolo  |title=DoTr seeks Subic-Clark railway consultants|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/05/28/business/top-business/dotr-seeks-subic-clark-railway-consultants/1948741 |accessdate=May 29, 2024 |publisher=[[The Manila Times]]|date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> The project is part of the Luzon Economic Corridor as it is one of the 28 priority projects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Publisher |first=Web |date=2024-05-28 |title=Subic to Batangas cargo railway eyed as Luzon Economic Corridor flagship project |url=https://www.portcalls.com/subic-to-batangas-cargo-railway-eyed-as-luzon-economic-corridor-flagship-project/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=PortCalls Asia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=28 priority projects lined up for Luzon Economic Corridor |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/05/27/2358100/28-priority-projects-lined-luzon-economic-corridor |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> Philippine National Railways Chairman Michael Macapagal told local media in July that the study would be funded using US$6m which the [[Asian Development Bank]] allocated in 2023 for the development of rail proposals. He said the USA and Japan are also backing the project as part of the Luzon Economic Corridor.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Subic – Batangas railway study to be commissioned |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/subic-batangas-railway-study-to-be-commissioned/67119.article |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en}}</ref> A planned {{Convert|280|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=on}} link that would serve Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=LunCHAT 9: "PNR - A Look Back and a Leap Forward |url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=554343047503163}}</ref> The project was originally conceptualized as the Subic–Clark Railway Project, which would have been a {{Convert|71|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=on}} railway line that was proposed during the [[Presidency of Rodrigo Duterte|administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte]], but the Chinese later withdrew the loan for the project in 2023 before it was shelved.
*'''Manila–Laguna freight revival''' – The Department of Transportation said it plans to revive the operation of a container cargo rail from Port Area in Manila to Laguna province.<ref name=":15"/> The tracks towards the berths of Manila International Container Terminal and Manila North Harbor to Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal in Calamba, Laguna will be revived to restart the container cargo service.<ref name=":15" /> In July 2016, port operator [[International Container Terminal Services|International Container Terminal Services Inc.]] and MRail, a subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. ([[Meralco|MERALCO]]), invested P10 billion to revive a freight rail service from Manila to Calamba, Laguna, and in the following year, it was announced that the services would also be extended to Batangas, but the plans never came into fruition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amojelar |first=Darwin G. |date=2016-07-27 |title=Meralco, ICTSI investing P10b in Laguna rail |url=https://manilastandard.net/?p=211711 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Manila Standard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marasigan |first=Lorenz S. |date=2017-09-18 |title=Meralco unit to extend freight-train project to Batangas international port {{!}} Lorenz S. Marasigan |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2017/09/18/meralco-unit-to-extend-freight-train-project-to-batangas-international-port/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=BusinessMirror |language=en-US}}</ref>
*'''North Philippine Dry Port Container Rail Transport Service''' shall connect freight trains from the [[Port of Manila]] to an inland terminal in [[Balagtas, Bulacan]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.systraphil.com/projects/ | title=Projects }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Publisher |first=Web |date=2023-06-06 |title=DOTr studies freight train service linking Manila and Northern Luzon dry port |url=https://www.portcalls.com/dotr-studies-freight-train-service-linking-manila-and-northern-luzon-dry-port/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=PortCalls Asia |language=en-US}}</ref> 
*'''Revival of freight services along [[PNR South Main Line]] –''' On July 15, 2024, PNR announced that it would revive [[Rail freight transport|freight services]] and pursue a P5 billion plan to retrofit the existing line for cargo movement. One of the plans is to operate cargo trains between Calamba, Laguna, and Legazpi in Albay by 2025. In particular, the government looks to build a [[dry port]] in Calamba where containers can be carried in and out of the [[Freight train|freight trains]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosales |first=Elijah Felice |title=Arriving soon: Cargo rail between Laguna and Albay |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/07/15/2370148/arriving-soon-cargo-rail-between-laguna-and-albay |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Transportation|Trains|Philippines}}
*[[Department of Transportation (Philippines)|Department of Transportation]]
*[[Public transport in Manila]]
*[[Department of Public Works and Highways]]
*[[Strong Republic Transit System]] (SRTS)
*[[Transportation in the Philippines]]
*[[List of rail accidents in the Philippines]]
*[[Charles M. Swift]], founder of [[Meralco]] and Panay Railways

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite news| title       = Construction of 2,000 km. Mindanao Railway System to start in 2017| agency      = GMA News| date        = August 18, 2016| url         = http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/578099/money/companies/construction-of-2-000-km-mindanao-railway-system-to-start-in-2017| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20170324053248/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/578099/money/companies/construction-of-2-000-km-mindanao-railway-system-to-start-in-2017| archive-date = March 24, 2017| url-status     = live}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite news|url= http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5385284|title= How the Railroad is Modernising Asia|agency= The Advertiser|location=Adelaide, S. Australia|date=March 22, 1913|first1=Lewis Ransome|last1= Freeman|author1-link = Lewis R. Freeman}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Mcintyre |first1=Frank |title=Railroads in the Philippine Islands |journal=The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science |date=July 1, 1907 |volume=30 |issue=1 |pages=52–61 |doi=10.1177/000271620703000106 |s2cid=143192158 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/2400329 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Urban Rail Transit in ASEAN}}
{{Asia in topic|Rail transport in}}
{{Transportation in the Philippines}}
{{SRTS}}

[[Category:Rail transportation in the Philippines| ]]