Photo credit: DOTr MRT-3

In 2023, MRT-3 recorded 129,030,158 rides, showcasing a significant uptick from the previous year's total of 98,330,683. Jorjette B. Aquino, Transport Assistant Secretary for Railways and MRT-3 officer-in-charge, credits the surge to improved reliability and efficiency resulting from the rail line's maintenance and rehabilitation efforts.

Aquino emphasized, "The MRT-3 served as a reliable partner to more commuters who returned to on-site work in 2023, and needed a fast and dependable mode of transport." The rail line's preventive maintenance, alongside the upkeep of subsystems such as tracks, signaling, and power, contributed to its enhanced performance.

Following the completion of a massive rehabilitation in December 2021, the MRT-3's operating speed doubled from 30kph to the original 60kph. Sumitomo-MHI-TESP, the original builder and maintenance provider, played a pivotal role in this transformation.

The Department of Transportation extended MRT-3’s maintenance and rehabilitation contracts with Sumitomo until 2025, ensuring sustained effective upkeep. MRT-3 witnessed a surge in daily ridership, reaching 357,198 in 2023, a notable 30% increase from the previous year’s 273,141.

August 22 marked a historic day for MRT-3, recording the highest single-day ridership of 450,298 passengers.

Notably, August emerged as the month with the highest overall ridership, totaling 11,618,005 trips. This trend continued with impressive figures in October, September, December, and other months, reflecting a consistently high demand for the rail service.

Additionally, MRT-3's free ride programs benefitted 220,706 passengers in 2023.