MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expedite the completion of the MRT-7 project to help address traffic congestion expected from the upcoming repair of EDSA.

Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the railway line would provide commuters with an additional mass transport option and potentially reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.

“Everyone in Metro Manila is waiting to get on board. We hope the MRT-7 project will soon be a reality,” Poe said.

The MRT-7 is expected to cut travel time between North Avenue in Quezon City and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan to 35 minutes. The 14-station rail line is targeted to be fully operational by 2026. San Miguel Corporation, led by Ramon Ang, holds the concession to build, operate, and maintain the project.

Poe said the new line would spare commuters from the daily gridlock along Commonwealth Avenue and improve their travel experience.

“Sabi nga ng meme tungkol sa ating trains sa Facebook, ‘Papasok kang estudyante, lalabas kang mandirigma.’ Sana may katapusan naman ang paghihirap ng ating mga commuter,” she said.

“The path to get a train ride in Metro Manila is not as straight as its tracks. It takes a long and winding cue, climbing steep stairs and squeezing oneself in a tight coach,” she said.

“But this should not stop us from working to have better train system and facilities. The Filipinos deserve a dignified ride,” Poe added.