Estrada inaugurates Manila metro system

Estrada inaugurates Manila metro system

MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Joseph Estrada inaugurated a suburban rail system for his crowded capital on Wednesday, saying it was a Christmas gift to the people of Manila.

The 10-kilometer track is the first part of an elevated rail system that officials say will ultimately save some 10 million man-hours each week that now are lost in traffic jams.

Estrada cut a ribbon at the entrance to the terminus in the suburb of Quezon City and rode the length of the track to the edge of the Makati business district.

The US$655-million first phase of the MRTC system will be completed by mid-2000. Another $235-million project, when approved by the government, will complete a north-south loop connecting to both ends of an existing light rail system.