MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila Subway, the country’s first underground railway system, has reached 50% completion, marking a key milestone in the government’s push for modern, efficient, and sustainable mass transit under the Build Better More program.
Once finished, the 33-kilometer line will run through 17 stations across eight cities, connecting major business hubs such as Ortigas, BGC, and Makati. It is expected to cut travel time between Valenzuela City and NAIA from 90 minutes to 35 minutes.
Equipped with 8-car trains that can carry up to 2,200 passengers each, the subway will run at 80 km/h, with trains arriving every five minutes at full capacity. Once fully operational, it is projected to serve over 500,000 passengers daily.
The project is funded through a Japanese loan package and constructed with Japanese engineering support. A spur line to NAIA Terminal 3 is also in development.
Partial operations are targeted for 2029, with full operations eyed between 2030 and 2031. The Department of Transportation said the project is expected to reduce traffic congestion, enhance commuter experience, and spur economic activity and property development along the route.
This marks a historic step in upgrading the capital’s transport infrastructure and bringing it on par with its regional peers.