MRT-3 carried more riders in 2025, cementing a rebound in urban mobility and signaling steady gains in service delivery and fare innovation.
The Department of Transportation’s Metro Rail Transit Line 3 said passenger volume reached 141.6 million last year, a 7 percent jump from 135.9 million in 2024, reflecting stronger daily demand along Metro Manila’s busiest corridor.
Officials pointed to free ride initiatives as a major driver of access and equity. Across the year, 3.32 million commuters benefited from the programs, easing travel costs for students, senior citizens, and workers during peak periods and special days.
MRT-3 also logged rapid uptake of cashless payments, highlighting changing commuter behavior. Since their launch in July 2025, digital fare options were used by 3.74 million passengers, speeding up station transactions and reducing queues, the rail line said.
General Manager Michael J. Capati underscored the agency’s focus on reliability and convenience. “We remain committed to continuous efforts to further enhance the commuting experience on our line,” he said, citing maintenance, operations discipline, and customer-facing improvements.
The rail operator credited riders for sustained trust as it rolled out upgrades amid heavy usage. Management said the performance supports ongoing investments in signaling, rolling stock readiness, and station amenities.
DOTr-MRT3 said commuters can expect more consistent service in 2026, aligning with the government’s Bagong Pilipinas push to modernize public transport, expand digitalization, and deliver safer, faster, and more dependable daily travel.
It added that performance metrics such as on-time trips, train availability, and crowd management will remain priorities as demand grows.
Coordination with other transport modes is also expected to improve first- and last-mile connections, supporting productivity, tourism, and inclusive growth across the metropolis this year and beyond today.
