One of the eight coaches of the third 8-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trainset for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) has arrived at the Malanday Depot in Valenzuela City, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.

The DOTr said the remaining coaches are expected to arrive in the coming week until the complete trainset is assembled.

The trainset will be used for the Malolos-Tutuban segment of the NSCR, a major railway project designed to improve connectivity between Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon.

The DOTr is targeting the start of operations for the Valenzuela-Malolos, Bulacan segment, or N1, by December 2027.

Full operations of the NSCR system, stretching from Clark to Calamba, Laguna, are targeted to begin in the third quarter of 2033.

The 147-kilometer NSCR system is planned to have 35 stations, connecting key areas across Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon.

Once fully operational, the rail system is expected to serve nearly 800,000 passengers daily, providing an alternative mode of transportation for commuters traveling across the three regions.

The arrival of the latest train coaches marks another step in the ongoing preparations for the NSCR, as the government continues work toward its targeted opening dates.