THE Metro Rail Transit-3 (DOTr MRT-3) served a total of 98,330,683 passengers in 2022, a huge improvement from the past two years.
The figure was more than double of the 45,691,914 total ridership in 2021, and of the 31,887,174 total in 2020.
Average daily ridership also increased by more than 100% to 273,141 in 2022, from 127,276 in 2021, and 122,173 in 2020.
The MRT-3 recorded 4,423,317 passengers in January and 5,298,801 in February 2022.
Its ridership increased to 7,231,320 in March; 7,318,128 in April; and 9,597,794 in May. The MRT-3 served the highest number of passengers in June last year, with a total of 10,555,184.
It may be recalled that the MRT-3 implemented a three-month Libreng Sakay Program from 28 March to 30 June, in commemoration of the completion of the massive rehabilitation of the rail line, and to help ease the financial burden of passengers affected by high fuel costs, an impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Also last year, the ridership steadily grew to 8,979,990 in August from 8,910,370 in July. That period was the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes that started on August 22, the opening of School Year (SY) 2022-2023.
The following month of September, the MRT-3’s ridership slightly decreased to 8,776,440. However, by October, the number of passengers recorded increased to 8,996,743. The ridership remained near a million mark before the end of 2022 with 8,939,743 and 9,302,645 passengers in November and December, respectively.
“The increase in ridership in 2022 came as the MRT-3 completed the massive rehabilitation of the rail line, which significantly improved our operations. We are optimistic that in 2023, more passengers will benefit from our improved services,” said MRT-3 General Manager (GM) Engr. Federico J. Canar, Jr.
The MRT-3 went into full rehabilitation in 2019. The full systems upgrade was completed in December 2021, which resulted in increased operating speed from 30kph to 60kph, increased headway from 8-9mins to 4.5-5mins, and decline in travel time from 1hr and 15mins to 45-50mins from the North Avenue station to Taft Avenue station, among others.
“The improvement in MRT-3 ridership is a testament to the improved reliability of our rail line. Our passengers can expect that the MRT-3 will remain committed to its service pledge of providing safe, comfortable, and reliable transportation in 2023 and years to come,” said MRT-3 Director for Operations Engr. Oscar B. Bongon.
