DOTr pilots four-car trains on MRT-3 to boost capacity

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) began piloting the operation of six four-car trains on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Friday, October 17, 2025, to scale up transit options in Metro Manila.

These four-car trains are being deployed during the morning rush hour, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., to accommodate more commuters and ease passenger buildup.

The deployment of four-car trains has now been extended to weekends, with three Dalian trains operating on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Each four-car train can ferry up to 1,576 passengers per trip, an increase from the regular three-car configuration.

DOTr-MRT-3 is activating more Dalian train units, procured in 2014 and previously unused due to compatibility issues, to improve passenger convenience.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. mentioned in his State of the Nation Address the administration's work on operationalizing idle Dalian trains for MRT-3.