Manila's Ambitious Plans To Expand Rail Network: Manila, the Philippine capital, plans a major expansion of its rail network to cope with a population explosion and rapidly worsening road congestion and pollution. More LRT lines, a metro, and improvements to the heavy rail network are planned. (Rapid Transit Review)
MANILA currently has two light rail lines in operation and a third under construction. In addition Philippine National Railroad (PNR) operates a limited commuter rail service to the south The rail network is woefully inadequate for a city with a rapidly increasing population and traffic congestion.
The population of greater Manila is expected to increase from 14.4 million in 1996 to 25.7 million by 2015. In addition, 2.5 million people commute into Manila each day. Car ownership is expected to soar from 730 million and 18.5% of households in 1996 to 2.34 billion and 28.2% of households by 2015, which will increase the ratio of vehicles to road space from 0.7% to 2.3% "This will result in a massive heart attack for Manila," said Mr Carlos Borromeo, under secretary, railways and mass transit projects, with the Philippine Department of …
