A Commuter’s Guide To Metro Manila’s MRT-3 Network

Written by Christian B Padillo

The Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3, more popularly known as MRT, is the second rapid transit line system built in Metro Manila. It started operations in 2000 and now serves more than 500,000 passengers every day.

The MRT-3 is a 10-mile, 13-station line that appears as blue on the system map. It’s primarily a transportation option for major areas such as crowded Epifanio de los Santos (EDSA) thoroughfare, Quezon City (via Cubao), the central business district of Makati (via Ayala Gateway), Pasig, Mandaluyong, and Pasay.

If getting from point a to point b as quick as you could is what you need, the MRT can do the job, assuming you’re only trying to reach areas within its coverage. However, there is a trade-off, it can get overcrowded so you will need to exercise extra precaution. 

The condition of this railway is much better than as it used to be, thanks to the relentless efforts of the Department of Transportation to rehabilitate and improve the MRT’s efficiency and quality.  Still, it’s always practical to bring some presence of mind with you when you’re up and about in crowded places in Metro Manila. 

Let us help you get around Manila.  We’ll take you on a ride around the Metro with the Metro Railway Transit (MRT) System through this guide!

North Avenue

The North Avenue station is located at the corner of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and the North Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City.

Quezon Avenue

The second station for trains heading to Taft Avenue, this station is located in one of the busiest thoroughfares of Quezon City.

Kamuning

The Kamuning station is near Barangay Kamuning in the Scout area of Diliman, QC.

Araneta Center-Cubao

This station is named after the old name of Araenta City, and is the fourth station for those heading to Taft Avenue. It is located in Cubao, Quezon City.

Santolan

The Santolan station is between Annapolis Street and Santolan Road, whose official name is Bonny Serrano Avenue.

Ortigas

Located in Mandaluyong, the Ortigas station is the sixth station for trains going to Taft Avenue.

Shaw Boulevard

Shaw Boulevard station lies on top of Shaw boulevard, and is considered to be the central terminal of the MRT.

Boni

Boni Station or Boni Avenue Station has several shops and restaurants surrounding it, as well as a public market located across it.

Guadalupe

Guadalupe Station is located in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo in Makati.

Buendia

One of the two underground stations on the MRT, the Buendia station is located near the Buendia flyover and Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati.

Ayala

The other underground MRT station, the Ayala station is close to two Ayala-named establishments: the Ayala Center and Ayala Avenue.

Magallanes

The Magallanes station is the last station in Makati, before the MRT crosses into Pasay. It serves passengers from various points, including Taguig and Dasmarinas.

Taft

The only MRT station in Pasay, the Taft station is located at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue.

Future Extensions

Makati Intra-city Subway (MkTr or MRT Line 5)

The Makati Intra-city Subway (MkTr) is an upcoming underground transit system in Makati, Metro Manila, currently in construction through a partnership between the Makati City Government and a private consortium led by Philippine Infradev Holdings. Spanning 10 kilometers with nine stations, it will link to MRT Line 3, the Pasig River Ferry Service, the Metro Manila Subway (currently under construction), and potentially the proposed SkyTrain connecting Makati and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Originally planned to terminate at Ayala station on MRT Line 3, MkTr’s route has been redirected to the Mile Long Property in Amorsolo. Anticipated for completion by 2025, it is forecasted to serve a daily ridership of 700,000 passengers.

MRT-7

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is making significant strides in advancing the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project. They recently initiated pre-construction activities for the turnback guideway of the railway, marking a crucial step towards project completion. This infrastructure, situated near the North EDSA Station in Quezon City, will seamlessly connect the Light Rail Transit Line 1 with MRT-3 and MRT-7, facilitating train direction changes at the Unified Grand Central Station.

The initiative to redesign West Avenue to accommodate the turnback guideway was led by Quezon City’s local government, spearheaded by Mayor Joy Belmonte. This effort aims to minimize disruptions for both pedestrians and road users during the MRT-7 infrastructure’s installation. Belmonte committed to supporting not only the MRT-7 but all rail projects passing through Quezon City, including the Metro Manila Subway.

The 22-kilometer MRT-7 railway, connecting North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, will serve approximately 800,000 daily passengers in just 35 minutes.

SMC, under a 25-year concession with the government, is working toward completing the railway by the end of 2025, enhancing commuting options in and around Metro Manila alongside other key railway projects. Breaking ground in 2016, and when completed, MRT-7 will service 14 stations – from San Jose del Monte in Bulacan to the Unified Grand Central Station in Quezon City

This article was first published in February 5, 2020 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness.