DOTr reports MRT-3 passenger surge after extension
(FILE PHOTO) (January 4 2025) Metro Rail Transit (MRT3) seen passing in Kamuning Quezon City on Saturday January 4 2025. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on September 05, 2024 that it aims to deploy the China-made Dalian trains on the MRT-3 line by the middle 2025, they said the headway or the interval between each train’s arrival will also be reduced from the current four minutes to 2.5 minutes, if the Dalian trains are utilized. Photo/Analy Labor
The MRT-3 served an additional 29,530 passengers in the first week of its extended weekday operating hours, which began on 24 March, according to DOTr-MRT-3.
The highest recorded increase in ridership was on 28 March, with 8,114 additional passengers.
Meanwhile, from 24 to 28 March, a total of 2,135,454 passengers used the MRT-3, with the first three days coinciding with a jeepney strike in Manila.
The extension of operating hours from Monday to Friday follows the directive of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to prioritize passenger welfare, especially for those working late at night.
According to the updated schedule, the last southbound train from North Avenue station now departs at 10:25 PM, while the final northbound trip from Taft Avenue station leaves at 11:04 PM.
The first trains continue to operate as usual, departing North Avenue station at 4:30 AM and Taft Avenue station at 5:05 AM.
To further improve service efficiency, the MRT-3 will also deploy additional trains during peak hours, aiming to reduce travel time and ease commuter flow along the 16.9-kilometer rail line that spans 13 stations from Quezon City to Pasay City.