Metro Rail Transit Line 3 commuters heading into 2026 will not have to brace for higher fares, with management making it clear that stability—not price adjustments—will define the rail line’s priorities in the coming year.
Metro Rail Transit Line 3 General Manager Mike Capati said there are no discussions whatsoever about increasing passenger fares, stressing that the agency’s immediate focus is on improving the system’s reliability and commuter experience rather than passing costs on to riders.
Speaking over Super Radyo dzBB, Capati said the directive is simple: fix the facilities first before even thinking about any fare adjustments.
Instead of a fare hike, passengers can expect visible rehabilitation works across key stations starting next year. Capati confirmed that a major component of the program involves the full replacement of aging escalators, particularly in high-traffic stations such as Taft Avenue and Ayala.
The overhaul is scheduled to run from 2026 through 2027, targeting long-standing equipment issues that have repeatedly inconvenienced daily commuters.
Operational capacity is also set to improve as more Dalian light rail vehicles are gradually deployed. Capati said the goal is to have all 48 Dalian trains in active service by the end of 2026, a move expected to sustain the current 3.5-minute headway during peak hours.
With the expanded fleet, MRT-3 is aiming to raise its daily passenger capacity from around 500,000 to as many as 700,000 riders.
For millions who rely on the line to get to work and home every day, the message from MRT-3 management is reassurance over repricing: fares will stay the same, while trains, stations, and passenger flow are set to improve.