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For millions of daily commuters in Metro Manila and Rizal province, the promise of the Metro Rail Transit Line 4 (MRT-4) is more than just another infrastructure project – it's a vital solution to the city's notorious traffic woes. This fully elevated railway, a key component of the Philippines' ambitious infrastructure agenda, is steadily moving forward, promising to transform travel times and foster economic growth in the eastern corridor.



What is the MRT-4 Project?

The MRT-4 is a crucial mass transit initiative designed to provide a rapid, efficient, and affordable transportation option for residents of eastern Metro Manila and Rizal.

MRT-4 projected route map

  • Type: Fully elevated conventional metro rail system. (Originally planned as a monorail, it was upgraded for higher passenger capacity).

  • Purpose: To significantly reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times, and provide a reliable public transport system from Taytay, Rizal, to the Ortigas Central Business District.

  • Target Ridership: Expected to serve over 400,000 daily passengers upon completion.

RELATED RAILWAY PROJECT IN METRO MANILA

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Features and Benefits of MRT-4

The MRT-4 boasts several features aimed at delivering a modern and user-friendly public transport experience:

  • Length: Approximately 12.7 to 15.56 kilometers.

  • Stations: Planned to have 10 to 11 stations, with provisions for future expansion.

  • Strategic Alignment:

    • Traverses key areas in Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, Pasig City (Metro Manila), and Cainta, Taytay (Rizal province).

    • Primarily runs along Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Taytay Diversion Road, and Manila East Road.

Ortigas Avenue Extension - Rosario, Pasig City

  • Reduced Travel Time: Cut travel from Taytay to Ortigas to less than 30 minutes, a drastic improvement from the current 1-3 hours by road.

  • Integrated Public Transport: Designed for seamless interconnections with existing lines (like MRT-3) and future projects (such as the Metro Manila Subway Projecty). It will also integrate with bus and jeepney feeder routes for enhanced accessibility.

  • Modern Design: Features include a barrier-free design for inclusive access and the use of 5-car electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, with stations built to accommodate future 6-car expansion.

Visit my Ortigas Travel Guide to explore the area.



MRT-4 Proposed Stations

While the exact final list of stations is still subject to the detailed engineering design (DED) process, based on various reports and preliminary plans for the MRT-4, here are the 10-11 suggested stations:

From West to East (roughly):

  1. EDSA: This would be a crucial interchange station, connecting with the existing MRT-3 at Ortigas.

  2. Meralco: Located in Pasig City, likely near the Meralco main office.

  3. Tiendesitas: Also in Pasig City, near the popular Tiendesitas commercial complex.

  4. Rosario: Another station in Pasig City, serving the Rosario area.

  5. St. Joseph: Located between Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal, possibly near St. Joseph Parish.

  6. Cainta Junction: A significant station in Cainta, Rizal, serving a major intersection.

  7. San Juan: Located in Cainta, Rizal, possibly near the San Juan area or Excelsior Villas (where the depot is planned).

  8. Tikling Junction: A key station in Taytay, Rizal, serving the busy Tikling area.

  9. Manila East Road: A station in Taytay, Rizal, along the Manila East Road.

  10. Taytay: The eastern terminus of the line, located in Taytay, Rizal, likely near the Taytay Public Market.

Taytay Market

Some earlier plans or reports also mentioned a station called N. Domingo or Bonny Serrano in Quezon City/San Juan, near the Gilmore area, as a potential western terminus or connection to LRT-2. However, more recent updates suggest the EDSA station as the primary western terminus, making it usually a 10-station line, with the possibility of two provisional stations later.

It's important to note that specific station names and precise locations can still be subject to minor adjustments as the detailed engineering design is finalized and as the project progresses through its various stages.




Current Status and Project Timeline

The MRT-4 project has undergone meticulous planning and design adjustments to ensure its long-term viability and impact.

  • Funding Secured: Backed by a significant loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

  • Detailed Engineering Design (DED): The Department of Transportation (DOTr), with Spanish consultant IDOM Consulting Engineering, Architecture SA, is finalizing the DED, anticipated to be completed by late 2025 or mid-2026.

  • Estimated Cost: The project's cost has increased to potentially over P100 billion due to the design upgrade and other factors.

  • Construction Start: Anticipated to commence in 2026.

  • Target Completion & Operations: Full operations are generally expected by 2031.

  • Right-of-Way (ROW): The DOTr is optimistic about managing ROW acquisition efficiently, given the line's alignment along major thoroughfares.



Impact on Commuters and Development

The MRT-4 is more than just tracks and trains; it's a catalyst for development and a game-changer for daily life:

  • Decongesting Traffic: A direct answer to the perennial traffic crisis in Metro Manila, particularly along the Ortigas corridor.

  • Economic Opportunities: Improved connectivity is expected to spur economic activity and property development in areas along the railway's route.

  • Enhanced Commuter Experience: Offering a safer, faster, and more comfortable alternative to current commuting options.

  • Sustainable Urban Mobility: Contributes to a greener urban environment by promoting mass transit over private vehicle use.

As the detailed engineering designs are finalized and the groundwork for construction begins, the MRT-4 stands as a testament to the Philippines' commitment to modernizing its infrastructure. For residents of Rizal and eastern Metro Manila, this project represents not just reduced travel times, but a significant step towards a more connected, efficient, and sustainable future.



All You Need to Know About the MRT-4 Project (Stations and Updates)


For millions of daily commuters in Metro Manila and Rizal province, the promise of the Metro Rail Transit Line 4 (MRT-4) is more than just another infrastructure project – it's a vital solution to the city's notorious traffic woes. This fully elevated railway, a key component of the Philippines' ambitious infrastructure agenda, is steadily moving forward, promising to transform travel times and foster economic growth in the eastern corridor.



What is the MRT-4 Project?

The MRT-4 is a crucial mass transit initiative designed to provide a rapid, efficient, and affordable transportation option for residents of eastern Metro Manila and Rizal.

MRT-4 projected route map

  • Type: Fully elevated conventional metro rail system. (Originally planned as a monorail, it was upgraded for higher passenger capacity).

  • Purpose: To significantly reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times, and provide a reliable public transport system from Taytay, Rizal, to the Ortigas Central Business District.

  • Target Ridership: Expected to serve over 400,000 daily passengers upon completion.

RELATED RAILWAY PROJECT IN METRO MANILA

Loading...

Features and Benefits of MRT-4

The MRT-4 boasts several features aimed at delivering a modern and user-friendly public transport experience:

  • Length: Approximately 12.7 to 15.56 kilometers.

  • Stations: Planned to have 10 to 11 stations, with provisions for future expansion.

  • Strategic Alignment:

    • Traverses key areas in Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, Pasig City (Metro Manila), and Cainta, Taytay (Rizal province).

    • Primarily runs along Ortigas Avenue, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Taytay Diversion Road, and Manila East Road.

Ortigas Avenue Extension - Rosario, Pasig City

  • Reduced Travel Time: Cut travel from Taytay to Ortigas to less than 30 minutes, a drastic improvement from the current 1-3 hours by road.

  • Integrated Public Transport: Designed for seamless interconnections with existing lines (like MRT-3) and future projects (such as the Metro Manila Subway Projecty). It will also integrate with bus and jeepney feeder routes for enhanced accessibility.

  • Modern Design: Features include a barrier-free design for inclusive access and the use of 5-car electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, with stations built to accommodate future 6-car expansion.

Visit my Ortigas Travel Guide to explore the area.



MRT-4 Proposed Stations

While the exact final list of stations is still subject to the detailed engineering design (DED) process, based on various reports and preliminary plans for the MRT-4, here are the 10-11 suggested stations:

From West to East (roughly):

  1. EDSA: This would be a crucial interchange station, connecting with the existing MRT-3 at Ortigas.

  2. Meralco: Located in Pasig City, likely near the Meralco main office.

  3. Tiendesitas: Also in Pasig City, near the popular Tiendesitas commercial complex.

  4. Rosario: Another station in Pasig City, serving the Rosario area.

  5. St. Joseph: Located between Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal, possibly near St. Joseph Parish.

  6. Cainta Junction: A significant station in Cainta, Rizal, serving a major intersection.

  7. San Juan: Located in Cainta, Rizal, possibly near the San Juan area or Excelsior Villas (where the depot is planned).

  8. Tikling Junction: A key station in Taytay, Rizal, serving the busy Tikling area.

  9. Manila East Road: A station in Taytay, Rizal, along the Manila East Road.

  10. Taytay: The eastern terminus of the line, located in Taytay, Rizal, likely near the Taytay Public Market.

Taytay Market

Some earlier plans or reports also mentioned a station called N. Domingo or Bonny Serrano in Quezon City/San Juan, near the Gilmore area, as a potential western terminus or connection to LRT-2. However, more recent updates suggest the EDSA station as the primary western terminus, making it usually a 10-station line, with the possibility of two provisional stations later.

It's important to note that specific station names and precise locations can still be subject to minor adjustments as the detailed engineering design is finalized and as the project progresses through its various stages.




Current Status and Project Timeline

The MRT-4 project has undergone meticulous planning and design adjustments to ensure its long-term viability and impact.

  • Funding Secured: Backed by a significant loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

  • Detailed Engineering Design (DED): The Department of Transportation (DOTr), with Spanish consultant IDOM Consulting Engineering, Architecture SA, is finalizing the DED, anticipated to be completed by late 2025 or mid-2026.

  • Estimated Cost: The project's cost has increased to potentially over P100 billion due to the design upgrade and other factors.

  • Construction Start: Anticipated to commence in 2026.

  • Target Completion & Operations: Full operations are generally expected by 2031.

  • Right-of-Way (ROW): The DOTr is optimistic about managing ROW acquisition efficiently, given the line's alignment along major thoroughfares.



Impact on Commuters and Development

The MRT-4 is more than just tracks and trains; it's a catalyst for development and a game-changer for daily life:

  • Decongesting Traffic: A direct answer to the perennial traffic crisis in Metro Manila, particularly along the Ortigas corridor.

  • Economic Opportunities: Improved connectivity is expected to spur economic activity and property development in areas along the railway's route.

  • Enhanced Commuter Experience: Offering a safer, faster, and more comfortable alternative to current commuting options.

  • Sustainable Urban Mobility: Contributes to a greener urban environment by promoting mass transit over private vehicle use.

As the detailed engineering designs are finalized and the groundwork for construction begins, the MRT-4 stands as a testament to the Philippines' commitment to modernizing its infrastructure. For residents of Rizal and eastern Metro Manila, this project represents not just reduced travel times, but a significant step towards a more connected, efficient, and sustainable future.



Metro Manila MRT MRT4 Pasig Public Transport Railways Rizal Province Taytay Train Transportation

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