Free MRT-3 rides on June 17, 2026 after trips delayed by 'technical issues' —DOTr

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) will provide free rides on Wednesday, June 17, starting at 12 noon, following the technical difficulties the rail reported between the Buendia and Guadalupe stations earlier in the day.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the free rides in an advisory where it also issued an apology for the “technical issues” that caused the delay of trips around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

While operations were back to normal at 6:57 a.m., the DOTr noted that the incident still caused inconvenience to passengers.

“Nauunawaan namin ang kahalagahan ng ligtas, maayos at maasahang transportasyon sa inyong pang-araw-araw na biyahe,” the advisory read.

“Tinitiyak namin na isinasagawa ang lahat ng kinakailangang hakbang upang maiwasan ang kahalintulad na insidente at higit pang mapabuti ang kalidad ng aming serbisyo,” it added.

(We understand the importance of safe, efficient, and reliable transportation in your daily commute… We assure you that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents and to further improve the quality of our service.)

The DOTr said Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has also ordered MRT3 General Manager Michael Capati to explain the technical issues and why he should not be given administrative sanctions within a 24-hour period.

Lopez has also ordered Capati to release a show cause order on rehabilitation and maintenance service provider Sumitomo Corp. and its consultants to explain the incident.

“Dapat maipaliwanag ng MRT-3 at ng Sumitomo kung bakit nangyari ‘yung aberya. Laking abala at perwisyo para sa mga pasaherong umaasa sa MRT-3. We have to identify the cause of the disruption. Gagawin natin ang lahat para matiyak na tuloy-tuloy at reliable ‘yung serbisyo ng tren para sa commuters,” Lopez said.

(The MRT-3 and Sumitomo must explain why the disruption occurred. It caused significant inconvenience and hardship for passengers who rely on the MRT-3. We have to identify the cause of the disruption. We will do everything necessary to ensure continuous and reliable train service for commuters.) —KG, GMA News