The pandemic has set back the opening of the P488-billion Metro Manila Subway by three years, to 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has confirmed.Originally, target start date for partial operations for the subway’s first three stations from Valenzuela – Mindanao Avenue Station, Tandang Sora Station, and North Avenue Station, was February, 2022, with the entire rail line scheduled to be fully operational by 2025.Before the pandemic, the DOTr even wanted to fast-track the project so the subway can be partially operational by December 2021.Now, the DOTr is targeting to partially open the subway by 2025, with full operations slated by 2027.**media[78551,78552]**Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade conceded that without the pandemic, the subway could be partially operational this year.The project was 30 percent complete, as of last month.The lowering of the subway’s first tunnel boring machine and a test run at its Valenzuela depot are scheduled this May.The Metro Manila Subway is one of the Philippines’ largest infrastructure projects aimed at creating an efficient rail system in the world’s most densely populated city.Funded by the Japanese government, the subway will run from Valenzuela City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay.The 35-kilometre line will consist of 15 underground stations and will reduce travel time between Quezon City and NAIA from one hour and 10 minutes to 35 minutes.Once operational, the subway can accommodate up to 1 million passengers per day.
