In Manila, Colas Rail is contributing to two major railway projects for the Department of Transportation, in partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation: the Metro Manila Subway Project, the country’s first fully underground metro line, and the North South Commuter Railway, a future high-capacity suburban railway.
At a glance
Since opening its offices in the Philippines in 2021,Colas Rail has been helping transform transport in Metro Manila. The Group is involved in two major projects: the Metro Manila Subway Project, the capital’s first underground metro line, and the North South Commuter Railway, a new suburban railway. These infrastructure projects draw on Colas Rail’s expertise in systems integration, railway track, overhead line electrification, railway safety and local skills development.
Why is Manila accelerating the development of its railway network?
Metro Manila is experiencing sustained population growth and accounts for several million journeys every day. Yet its urban railway network still relies primarily on three existing lines: LRT Line 1, LRT Line 2 and MRT Line 3. With around 70 kilometres of track, this long-established infrastructure can no longer meet the needs of a rapidly expanding metropolis.
“Compared with Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, transport here is twenty to thirty years behind,” observes Christophe Chassagnette, Asia-Pacific Regional Director and Director of Colas Rail in the Philippines.
For the Philippine authorities, the objective is twofold: to improve mobility for residents while supporting the country’s economic development. Reducing road congestion and its environmental impacts is another major priority.
This development is supported by international funding, including financing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Against this favourable backdrop, Colas Rail opened its first local office in 2021. The company then began work on Phase 1 of the Metro Manila Subway Project in 2022, followed by the North South Commuter Railway in 2023.
The Metro Manila Subway Project: Manila’s first underground line
The Metro Manila Subway Project will connect Valenzuela, in the north of the metropolitan area, to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the south. The route will pass through Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City, two of the capital’s main business districts.
Manila’s first underground metro line will comprise 14 stations along 37 kilometres of double track. Trains will operate at a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
In East Valenzuela, the future railway depot is gradually taking shape. This strategic facility will accommodate rolling stock maintenance, stabling and operations. Around twenty kilometres of service tracks will also be installed. The site is close to the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI), a specialist railway training centre whose mission is to develop the skills of the country’s future railway professionals.
For this project, Colas Rail is the lead member of the consortium responsible for designing and building the railway system. In this role, the company coordinates the many technical interfaces, an essential task on a project of this scale.
“We need to reconcile our European standards with Japanese standards, as the project concept was initially developed by Japanese teams, and with American standards, which are now the global norm,” explains Pierre Dervite, MMSP Project Director at Colas Rail.
The teams are now working towards a key project milestone: commissioning an initial four-kilometre operational section between Quirino Highway station and the East Valenzuela depot in March 2028.
The North South Commuter Railway brings Manila’s suburbs closer
The North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) will strengthen high-capacity suburban connections around the Philippine capital.
The line will connect the new city of Clark and its international airport in the north to Calamba in the south. Of the planned 35 stations and 150 kilometres of track, Colas Rail is carrying out track and overhead line works at both ends of the corridor: a 52-kilometre section in the north and a 56-kilometre section in the south, each equipped with its own maintenance depot.
On site, the arrival of a three-drum cable stringing machine from Italy provides a practical example of the skills transfer being implemented by the teams. The drums large reels used to store and unwind cables enable more efficient installation of the overhead line equipment.
The machine unwinds the copper cables used in the overhead line system, which supplies electricity to the trains. Four Philippine operators have already received specific training in its use.
The future line will run mainly on a double-track viaduct crossing urban areas and farmland. This technical solution limits the land footprint while addressing local constraints, particularly variable ground conditions and frequent flooding during the rainy season.
Express trains will be able to reach 160 km/h. Ultimately, journey times between certain outlying areas and central Manila are expected to fall from three hours to just forty minutes.
“The Philippine government estimates that time lost in transport represents 3–4% of GDP,” notes Jean-Jacques Largent, NSCR Project Director at Colas Rail.
Under the current schedule, the northern section is expected to enter service around 2030, followed by the southern section a few years later. A second phase of the metro is already under study to connect the MMSP to the NSCR through a five-kilometre extension and two additional stations.
The two projects at a glance
| Project | Colas Rail’s role | Key figures |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Manila Subway Project | Design and construction of the railway system | 14 stations, 37 km, 80 km/h, 400 Colas Rail site workers at peak activity |
| North South Commuter Railway | Track and overhead line works on the northern and southern sections | 35 stations, 150 km, 160 km/h, 200 Colas Rail site workers at peak activity |
Training local teams and sharing railway standards
The railway industry in the Philippines remains less developed than in several neighbouring Asian countries. For Colas Rail, the success of these projects therefore also depends on transferring expertise.
“In terms of safety, performance and sustainability, both projects are designed to meet the most demanding international standards,” says Bernie Pusung, Health, Safety and Environment Director at Colas Rail.
Colas Rail’s railway safety standard applies across the worksites, with dedicated training provided to both employees and subcontractors.
Every day, expatriate specialists support local teams as they acquire new skills. Engineers from a range of disciplines are specialising in overhead line systems, while employees from industrial or agricultural backgrounds are being trained in track and overhead line techniques.
“Colas Rail is fully committed to developing local skills, offering a wide range of internship and employment opportunities,” adds Ella Baral, Human Resources Director at Colas Rail.
Today, Philippine employees account for 90% of the workforce. Their experience on major international projects, combined with their mobility and command of English, is an asset for the Group’s future development in the region.our les futurs développements du Groupe dans la région.
Group synergies and a lasting local commitment
At the metro construction site in Valenzuela, Colas Rail is also drawing on synergies within the Group.
The company has appointed MDBI, a joint venture between Bouygues Bâtiment International Philippines and Makati Development Corporation, to design and build the structures for an electrical substation that will power the line. Colas Rail will supply the specialist technical equipment.
“This building is the first fully prefabricated structure of its kind in the Philippines,” explains Azat Allayarov, Project Director at MDBI.
The structural components are manufactured off site in a controlled industrial environment before being assembled on site. This approach enables faster, more precise assembly that is less dependent on weather conditions.
The structure is scheduled for completion in 2026.
Colas Rail’s local commitment is also reflected in several social responsibility initiatives. Irish Apple Neulid, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ambassador at Colas Rail, leads a charitable initiative. Every year, employees prepare parcels for distribution to people with disabilities. In 2025, 348 boxes were donated.
The company also supports the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center, where volunteers train beneficiaries in the use of IT tools. Working with a local partner, Colas Rail also plans to renovate a room dedicated to manufacturing prostheses at the centre.
Frequently asked questions
What is Colas Rail’s role in the Metro Manila Subway Project?
Colas Rail is acting as the systems integrator for the Metro Manila Subway Project. The company is responsible for designing and building the railway system, including track, power supply, depot equipment and the coordination of technical interfaces across several international standards.
What is Colas Rail’s role in the North South Commuter Railway?
Colas Rail is carrying out track and overhead line works on two strategic sections of the North South Commuter Railway: a 52 km section in the north and a 56 km section in the south, each with its own maintenance depot.The North South Commuter Railway is a future suburban railway line designed to connect the north and south of Metro Manila. Colas Rail is carrying out track and overhead line works on two strategic sections at either end of the line.
Why are these projects important for Manila?
The Metro Manila Subway Project and the North South Commuter Railway will provide a mass transit solution for a metropolis facing severe road congestion. This infrastructure will reduce journey times, improve travel reliability and support Metro Manila’s economic development.
Explore Colas’ railway infrastructure
To learn more about the Group’s railway expertise and discover other projects around the world, explore Colas’ railway infrastructure.
