MRT7 trains to be tested soon, full operations eyed by 2026

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'With all trains expected to be running and tested by the end of this year, and full operations targeted for 2026, this partnership with Korea Railroad Corporation brings us closer to our goal,' says SMC Chairman Ramon Ang

MANILA, Philippines – Preparations to open the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT7) are back on track.

San Miguel’s MRT7 Corporation tapped the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) — the company operating South Korea’s rail network — to set up MRT7’s operational systems, safety protocols, and maintenance programs. KORAIL will also help with the railway’s operations and maintenance once the trains are up and running.

SMC and KORAIL inked the operations and management services agreement on Tuesday, April 22.

“We have faced delays — mostly due to right-of-way issues — but we have stayed focused. With all trains expected to be running and tested by the end of this year, and full operations targeted for 2026, this partnership with KORAIL brings us closer to our goal,” SMC chairman Ramon Ang said.

The MRT7 is a 22-kilometer elevated railway system that will connect Bulacan to Metro Manila. The North Avenue station in Quezon City will be a transfer point for commuters.

Here’s a full list of the 14 stations of the MRT7:

• North Avenue
• Quezon Memorial
• University Avenue
• Tandang Sora
• Don Antonio
• Batasan
• Manggahan
• Doña Carmen
• Regalado
• Mindanao Avenue
• Quirino
• Sacred Heart
• Tala
• San Jose del Monte

End-to-end travel is estimated to take 30 minutes.

In August 2024, SMC said the completion of MRT7 may be pushed back once again due to issues with the alignment and location of the San Jose del Monte station. It had said that partial operations will begin by 2025, but last year, it moved it to 2028.

The rail project has been hounded by delays mainly due to right-of-way issues. Plans for the MRT7 were first floated way back in 2001, with SMC starting construction in 2016. The MRT7 was originally expected to be operational by 2020, which was then moved to 2021, and then again to 2022, and then yet again to 2023.

News of its partnership with KORAIL is a good sign.

KORAIL’s engagement with the railway project starts in July. The first 6 to 12 months will be focused on ensuring pre-operational requirements are met and key systems for the railway are already stabilized.

The Korean firm will remain onboard for technical support. It has been San Miguel’s adviser in the project for years.

“I am confident that the fusion of KORAIL’s technical expertise with San Miguel’s managerial prowess will make the MRT-7 the finest rail in the Philippines,” KORAIL president and CEO Han Moon Hee said. – Rappler.com