After years of delays and various setbacks, the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 or MRT-7, a railway project connecting Quezon City to Bulacan, is finally moving closer to reality.
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) recently signed a deal with South Korea’s national railway firm Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), for the maintenance and operations of the mass transit system. According to SMC, trains along the MRT-7 line are expected to be running and tested by the end of the year, with full operations slated for 2026.
Once completed, the 22-kilometer elevated railway line will feature 14 stations from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. The project aims to significantly reduce travel time, potentially from several hours to only 34 minutes, according to the original MRT-7 project briefer.
It may still be a while before residents of Quezon City, Caloocan City, Bulacan, and neighboring areas enjoy shorter and more efficient trips via rail along this new train line, mostly along Commonwealth Avenue. Still, it’s something we’re definitely looking forward to.
Here’s a closer look at the exact location of the 14 stations currently under construction in the MRT-7 line, the landmarks near each one, and route connections in the works.
1) North Avenue Station
The North Triangle Common Station, also known as the Unified Grand Central Station and North EDSA for the MRT Line 7, is a rapid transit hub currently being built in Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City. The station is named after its location at the corner of EDSA and North Avenue. Nearby landmarks include SM North EDSA, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, and Trinoma.
This unified station will link LRT-1, MRT-3, and the nearby Metro Manila Subway. It will also be connected to the EDSA Busway through the EDSA Carousel, various bus routes from SM North EDSA, and the Quezon City Bus Service via Route 4 (Road 1) and Route 8 (Trinoma).
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2) Quezon Memorial Circle Station
The Quezon Memorial Circle Station is being built within and is named after the Quezon Memorial Circle, a historical landmark inside a large roundabout and public park in Quezon City. This large park contains several museums, including the Quezon Memorial Shrine and Museum, the Quezon Heritage House, and the Presidential Car Museum.
Other establishments near this future station include the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, the Department of Agriculture Building, Quezon City Hall, the Department of Agrarian Reform Building, the National Housing Authority, and the PTV Complex, among others.
The Quezon Memorial Circle Station has a proposed interchange with the Manila MRT. It will also be located near the start and end point for the Quezon City Bus Service (Routes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and other various bus routes at Quezon City Hall.
3) University Avenue Station
The University Avenue Station is currently being built near Commonwealth Avenue within the University of the Philippines Diliman campus. The station is named after University Avenue, the main thoroughfare that leads to the UP Diliman.
Aside from serving mainly teachers and students of the state university, the station will also serve other nearby establishments including UP–Ayala Land TechnoHub, Philippine Coconut Authority (PhilCoa), and the Commission on Human Rights Complex. Maginhawa Street, a popular food and arts hub, will be more easily accessible through tricycles from Philcoa near the station.
This station, which will serve as the eastern terminus of the proposed MRT Line 8 system, will also be connected to the Manila MRT and TechnoHub Bus routes.
4) Tandang Sora Station
The Tandang Sora Station is located along Commonwealth Avenue in Matandang Balara and New Era, Quezon City. The station is named after Melchora Aquino, also known as Tandang Sora, a national hero considered one of the key figures of the Philippine Revolution.
The nearest landmarks include the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple, New Era University, and Net 25 TV studios. The train station will be connected to the Tandang Sora bus route.
5) Don Antonio Station
The Don Antonio Station can be found along Commonwealth Avenue in Holy Spirit, Quezon City. Nearby landmarks include Ever Gotesco Commonwealth and Shopwise Commonwealth.
Upon completion, the station will be connected to various bus routes from Ever Gotesco and Quezon City’s City Bus via Route 2 (St. Peter Parish).
6) Batasan Station
The Batasan Station is being built at the southern end of Batasan Road in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. The station is near the Sandiganbayan Centennial Building, the Public Attorneys Office Building, the Batasan TODA Terminal, the Commission on Audit Complex, and the Batasan Pambansa Complex.
It will be connected to various bus routes and the Quezon City Bus Service via Route 2 (Maclang General Hospital).
7) Manggahan Station
Manggahan Station, the only at-grade level station in the entire MRT-7 line, is being built near the north end of Batasan Road along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Nearby landmarks include Commonwealth Public Market, Litex Public Market, Commonwealth Elementary School, Commonwealth High School, Iglesia ni Cristo–Locale of Capitol, and Kristong Hari Parish Church.
This station will be connected to the Manggahan Bus Route and the Quezon City Bus Service via Route 2 (Litex).
8) Doña Carmen Station
The Doña Carmen Station is being built along Commonwealth Avenue in Fairview, Quezon City. It’s located near Doña Carmen Subdivision, where the station gets its name. Nearby landmarks include Puregold North Commonwealth and Wilcon Depot Fairview. It will be connected to the Puregold Bus Route.
9) Regalado Avenue Station
The Regalado Avenue Station is located along Commonwealth Avenue in Fairview, Quezon City. It’s named after the nearby Regalado Avenue and is located near Fairview Center Mall, the National College of Business and Arts, and the Far Eastern University–Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation. The station is also relatively near La Mesa Eco Park, a public park managed by the Manila Water Foundation (MWF).
The station will be connected to various bus routes via Fairview Center Mall.
10) Mindanao Avenue Station
The Mindanao Avenue Station, also known as SM Fairview Station or Roma Avenue Station, is being built in Greater Lagro, along Regalado Highway in Quezon City. The station is located next to SM City Fairview and near Fairview Terraces and Robinsons Novaliches. It will be connected to various bus routes in SM Fairview via the Nova Stop.
11) Quirino Avenue Station
Quirino Avenue Station is being built along Quirino Highway in the barangays of Greater Lagro and Pasong Putik Proper in Novaliches, Quezon City,
Nearby landmarks include SM City Fairview Trees Residences, School of Saint Anthony Quezon City, Lagro Subdivision, Sacred Heart Subdivision, Iglesia Ni Cristo’s Lagro local congregation, and Our Lady of Fatima University–Quezon City. This stop will be relatively near the entrance of La Mesa Nature Reserve, a major watershed area surrounding La Mesa Dam (not to be confused with the smaller La Mesa Eco Park).
It will be connected to various bus routes in Lagro.
12) Sacred Heart Station
The Sacred Heart station will be located near Amparo Subdivision in Caloocan, adjacent to the MRT-7 Depot. It shares its name with the nearby landmarks, including the Sacred Heart Villages, and Sacred Heart Novitiate and Retreat House, both named after the Sacred Heart of Jesus, roughly 2-3km away. The station will be connected to various bus routes in Amparo.
13) Tala Station
Tala Station will be located along Quirino Highway in Tala, Caloocan. The nearest landmarks include the North Caloocan Doctors Hospital, St. Dominic Savio College, Bankers Village, and Pangarap Village. It will be connected to various bus routes via Pangarap.
14) San Jose del Monte Station
The San Jose del Monte Station is the planned northernmost point of the MRT-7 line, located in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Nearby Landmarks and points of interest include SM City San Jose del Monte, Muzon Public Market, and the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Bulacan.
The station will be served by the San Jose del Monte Bus Route and will be connected to the North Luzon Expressway by a 22km six-lane asphalt road.
As mentioned earlier, the MRT-7 is now expected to begin partial operations by the end of 2025, with the 12 stations in Quezon City potentially operational. This will provide commuters with a faster alternative for traveling on Commonwealth Avenue.
Last year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) estimated that the Tala Station in Caloocan would open in 2026, while the San Jose Station in Bulacan, which faced right-of-way issues, was projected to be operational in 2027 or 2028.
However, “full operations” are now targeted for 2026 with the partnership with KORAIL. Let’s hope this new timeline pans out.
