MANILA — The MRT-7 is moving closer to full operations and has signed a deal with South Korea's national railway firm for the maintenance and operations of the mass transit system, San Miguel Corp said on Tuesday.  

SMC MRT-7 Corporation has signed an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services Agreement with Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), to support the next phase of MRT-7, San Miguel said in a statement. 

"Under the agreement, KORAIL will continue its advisory role — helping guide the setup of MRT-7’s core operational systems, safety protocols, and maintenance programs," San Miguel said. 

The 22-kilometer MRT-7 will connect North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, with 14 stations. Last year, the Department of Transportation said it was on track to begin partial operations in the last quarter of 2025.  

“This is a critical step as we move closer to delivering MRT-7 to the public,” said  SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang. 

“We have faced delays — mostly due to right-of-way issues — but we have stayed focused. With all trains expected to be running and tested by the end of this year, and full operations targeted for 2026, this partnership with KORAIL brings us closer to our goal,” Ang said.

San Miguel said KORAIL will provide technical expertise to ensure a smooth transition from construction to daily operations.

"The engagement starts in July 2025, with the first six to 12 months focused on completing pre-operational requirements and stabilizing key systems. Over the long term, KORAIL will continue to provide technical support for operations and maintenance to help maintain continuity, support knowledge transfer, and apply global best practices throughout the system," the company said.

According to San Miguel, KORAIL operates South Korea’s extensive rail network, including the high-speed KTX system, metropolitan commuter lines, and intercity services.