Metro Manila Subway to be Partially Operational by 2028

(SPOT.ph) There’s no denying that our public transportation system leaves a lot of room for improvement, but one thing is clear: we're working to catch up. One major step in the right direction is the Metro Manila Subway, which could see a few stations up and running by 2028.

As of October, the Metro Manila Subway has reached a construction progress of 15.57%, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The agency's latest update also gives us a clearer timeline for when we can start benefitting from this project.

According to DOTr Secretary Jamie Bautista, commuters can expect the first four sections from East Valenzuela Station in Valenzuela City to North Avenue Station in Quezon City to be partially operational by 2028. 

That's just the beginning. By 2029, the railway will extend further south to Ortigas Avenue Station in Pasig City as more sections of the Metro Manila Subway are completed.

Also read: Skytrains, Cable Cars, and Other Philippine Transport Projects to Keep Watch On

Everything you need to know about the Metro Manila Subway

The Metro Manila Subway will feature 17 stations in 33 kilometers, connecting Valenzuela City to Paranaque City with a spur line to Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.

Once completed, the DOTr said it is expected to reduce travel time from Valenzuela to Pasay to 35 minutes from the previous 1 hour and 30 minutes. Each of the 8-car trainsets will be able to carry up to 2,200 passengers, with trains arriving at stations every five minutes. 

Here are the 17 stations of the Metro Manila Subway:

1. East Valenzuela
2. Quirino Highway
3. Tandang Sora
4. North Avenue (Grand Common Station)
5. Quezon Avenue
6. East Avenue
7. Anonas
8. Camp Aguinaldo
9. Ortigas Avenue
10. Shaw Boulevard
11. Kalayaan Avenue
12. Bonifacio Global City
13. Lawton Avenue
14. Senate-DepEd
15. NAIA Terminal 3
16. FTI
17. Bicutan

The  underground railway will be interconnected with LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7 at the Common Station, LRT-2 at Anonas Station, and a physical run through into the North-South Commuter Railway Extension (NSCR-EX) at FTI and Bicutan Stations. 

That way, commuters can board a train at North Avenue Station and alight nearly 100 kilometers away at the Calamba Station of the NSCR-EX without switching trains.

The project broke ground as early as February 2019, but actual implementation had only commenced in January 2023 amid previous right-of-way issues on top of the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Metro Manila Subway is currently being financed through multiple loan tranches from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

"With the support of JICA, we are implementing this project on time for completion in 2029," Bautista said.

Also read: What Ever Happened to the Makati Subway Project?