DOTr eyes MRT-7 partial operations

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February 20, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing a partial launching of the six stations of the Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7) from Sacred Heart in Caloocan to Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the DOTr would evaluate the vehicle connectivity and passenger mobility to ensure convenience at interim stations.

Now 83 percent complete, the DOTr expects the MRT-7 to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2027.

The MRT-7 will have 14 stations connecting San Jose del Monte in Bulacan to North Avenue in Quezon City. Until the elevated railway is finished, Sacred Heart will be the temporary northern endpoint in its initial operations.

“We expect 300,000 to 400,000 train commuters daily,” Lopez said.

San Miguel Corp. will operate and maintain the 22-kilometer elevated railway in partnership with a South Korean company.

Delayed common station

The DOTr is seeking a new contractor after it terminated the previous one handling portions of the common MRT-7 station project due to delays in civil and electromechanical works.

Lopez said the DOTr is coordinating with the Light Rail Manila Corp. to finalize proposals to prioritize system integrations and improvement works between the MRT-7, MRT-3 and the Light Rail Transit Line-1.

“In the event na hindi matapos yung signaling in time for the partial operations of MRT-7, the DOTr will build a structure for the commuters to feel safe and convenient in riding the LRT-1 and MRT-3,” Lopez said.