The Metro Rail Transit-3 (DOTr MRT-3) served a total of 98,330,683 passengers in 2022, more than double than its 45,691,914 total ridership in 2021, and its 31,887,174 total in 2020.
"The increase in ridership in 2022 came as the MRT-3 completed the massive rehabilitation of the rail line, which significantly improved our operations," said General Manager (GM) Engr. Federico J. Canar, Jr.
"We are optimistic that in 2023, more passengers will benefit from our improved services," he added.
The railway's average daily ridership also increased by more than 100 percent 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.
The MRT-3 implemented a three-month Libreng Sakay Program from 28 March to 30 June, to commemorate the completion of its rehabilitation and ease the financial burden of passengers affected by high fuel costs.
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 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 1 hour and 15 minutes to 45-50 minutes from the North Avenue station to Taft Avenue station, among others.