Daven Tamayo

Unified Grand Central Station to begin 'partial operations' in 2028—DOTr

Artist's rendition of the proposed  MRT Common Station in Quezon City released by the Department of Transportation last January 18, 2017.   DOTr

Article (news)

Arthur Fuentes

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17853996570211785399660473.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Artist&#x27;s rendition of the proposed  MRT Common Station in Quezon City released by the Department of Transportation last January 18, 2017.   DOTr </div>MANILA — Partial operations of the Unified Grand Central Station will begin in the first quarter of 2028, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Thursday.Also known as the common station, the flagship infrastructure project will link the MRT-3, MRT-7, LRT-1, and the Metro Manila Subway.Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said the target follows the recent approval by the Economy and Development (ED) Council of a variation order for the project, which was assigned to the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) after a previous contract termination.&quot;Kaka-approve lang po ng ED. Ang nangyari po kasi dito, we terminated the contract. And nung na-terminate po natin &#x27;yan, nakipag-usap tayo sa LRMC (Light Rail Manila Corporation) if they can continue the project by way of variation order,&quot; Lopez said, adding that interim operations are expected by early 2028 while signaling systems are finalized.Ahead of full completion, the DOTr said the Trinoma mall management will provide access to the MRT-3 line to protect commuters from heat and rain.&quot;Since first quarter of 2028 pa matatapos na &#x27;yun kasi we&#x27;re fixing the signaling, kailangan kasi may signaling ang rail transport po &#x27;yan,&quot; Lopez explained. &quot;Ang gagawin po namin ngayon is to ensure na &#x27;pag natapos na po &#x27;yung North Avenue, MRT-7, at functional na po &#x27;yan, magagamit ng ating mga commuters &#x27;yung concourse at platform.&quot;Full completion of the Common Station is slated for 2030, the DOTr said. The common station’s target opening has been set and reset several times. In 2017, then <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/09/29/17/govt-breaks-ground-on-common-station-for-trains-subway" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade</a> said the common station would open in 2019. In 2019, this was then <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/02/13/19/dotr-eyes-completion-of-common-station-for-4-metro-manila-railways-by-2022" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">moved to 2022</a>. The government, however, said that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected construction, and the target completion date had been moved yet again. In 2023, then <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/04/12/23/opening-of-common-station-for-train-lines-postponed-anew" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista </a>said the target date was the end of that year, as there were still technical issues that had yet to be resolved.In 2025, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/5/16/dotr-terminates-contract-with-common-station-builder-after-extensive-delays-1022" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">terminated the builder’s contract </a>for the common station amid massive delays and a halt in the construction.<div> </div><div>FROM THE ARCHIVES</div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/09/29/17/govt-breaks-ground-on-common-station-for-trains-subway" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gov&#x27;t breaks ground on common station for trains, subway</a> (2017)<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/09/29/17/govt-breaks-ground-on-common-station-for-trains-subway" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Opening of common station for train lines postponed anew</a> (2023)

The common station’s target opening has been set and reset several times. The DOTr now says it will partially open in 2028.

The common station’s target opening has been set and reset several times. The DOTr now says it will partially open in 2028.