The long-delayed MRT-7 project is now 83% complete and is on track to begin partial operations in the first half of 2027, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon witnessed one of the pre-commissioning test runs being done on the train line as he inspected the Batasan Station along with SMC executives.

 The station is nearly a hundred percent done, pending the installation of an escalator and elevator.

After touring the site, Dizon said he’s even more confident that the first twelve stations of the MRT-7, from North EDSA to Sacred Heart in Quezon City, can be opened to the public in 2027.

 “More than 15 years na ‘to in the making dahil sa mga right of way problems, sa mga permits, sa red tape, finally sa panahon ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos matatapos ito. 600,000 passengers ang kanilang estimate na sasakay sa MRT-7 (on its first year of operations). Kung ikukumpara natin yun sa MRT-3 at LRT-1, mas mataas yun ng mahigit isandaang libo kada araw,” he said.

 “Sigurado akong luluwag ang Commonwealth (Avenue), for sure na yan,” added Dizon.

 The DOTr also aims to complete the stalled Unified Grand Central Station, also known as the common station, by 2027. The agency is currently exploring its options on how to bid out the project anew after it terminated the contract of BF Corporation over “excessive delays”.

 “Kailangan sabayan ng Common Station ang timeline para pag natapos ang MRT-7, seamless na ang connectivity between MRT-7, Common Station, MRT-3 at LRT-1,” said Dizon. 

From the MRT-7’s initial project cost of P62.7 billion, that figure has increased to P77 billion based on the Infrastructure Flagship Projects dashboard of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) due to right-of-way problems, such as in San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan where the last or 14th station will be put up.

 “May two options on the table, yung isang medyo magkaka-traffic, yung isa medyo maluwag pero very challenging yung right-of-way acquisition. So we would have to balance and we would have to choose the best option for the project. Kailangang ikonsulta ko na lang sa local government, lalo na ngayon, tapos na yung eleksyon, may bagong papasok na mayor… and I think magkakaroon na tayo ng final decision dito very soon,” said Dizon.

 The DOTr also attributed the delays to other construction-related changes necessary to suit actual site conditions.

 According to Dizon, there are ongoing talks as well with the University of the Philippines (UP) community regarding the access to the University Avenue Station, which is a depressed or semi-underground station.

 “May bago ng disenyo na ipinakita ang San Miguel and I think ipi-presenta na lang ito sa UP community but I think it addresses na the issues that were raised in the past,” he said.

 Dizon also visited the MRT-7 depot at Barangay Greater Lagro in Quezon City where the rail line’s 36 three-car train sets are parked and maintained.

 He noted that compared to other railway services in Metro Manila, which make use of catenary wires or overhead cables as their power source, the MRT-7 has a third rail that provides electricity to the trains.

 “Less exposed at mas madaling i-maintain. Talagang best practice na ang makikita sa MRT-7 which ia-apply na rin natin sa future railways natin,” added Dizon.

 SMC is targeting to electrify the entire depot by the end of the year so main line testing can commence in preparation for the partial operations.

 The MRT-7 is a 23-kilometer elevated line that spans 14 stations and promises a 30-minute travel time from Quezon City to Bulacan.

 Once operational, Dizon assured commuters that fares will be affordable.

 “Regulated naman ang fares e. Maganda naman ang PPP (Public Private Partnership) engagement dito dahil yung capital expenditures, yun ang pinakamalaking bulto ng gastos, ay ibabalik naman yan sa concessionaire. Babayaran ng gobyerno. So makakaasa ang mga kababayan natin, hindi masyadong mahal, affordable pa rin ang magiging fares ng MRT-7,” he said.

 Meanwhile another component of the project, which is the 22-kilometer asphalt road from Bocaue Interchange of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to the intermodal terminal in Tala station in Caloocan, is still fraught with right-of-way issues.

 “We will try to untangle those right of way problems very soon. Unahin muna nating tapusin yung tren and then we will focus on the highway also,” said Dizon.