We finally have some good news in the midst of the current mass transport crisis in Metro Manila. The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has announced that the LRT-2 will resume partial operations starting today.
The train line recently suspended its operations after a fire broke out between its Katipunan and Anonas stations. The agency proceeded to announce that repairs may last for at least nine months but gave reassurances that partial operations will resume beginning this week. Fortunately, after failing to operate yesterday, the LRTA has announced that the LRT-2 will once again be operational starting today—it now also revealed a new timeframe, claiming that repairs can be completed within six to nine months. You can check out the agency’s official statement below:
“Thorough safety checks have been completed, and the signaling, telecommunications, power supply systems, tracks and the trains for these stations have been cleared and in normal condition. Hence, we are now ready to serve the riding public,” said LRTA administrator General Reynaldo Berroya.
As previously mentioned, the train will course from Cubao to Recto and back. Operations will run from 6am-8:30pm—a shorter period than usual to allow more time for maintenance. The affected stations from Santolan to Anonas remain closed off for further repairs.
“We appeal to our passengers to allot an additional hour for their journeys since speed restrictions and a limited number of trains will be fielded to ensure passenger safety and the sufficiency of the power supply coming from the remaining rectifier substations,” added Berroya.
The agency has also announced that point-to-point buses (P2P) and 40 modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) will be deployed to ferry passengers around the affected areas—these vehicles will run from 5:30am-9pm daily. The P2Ps will be in position at the Masinag, Emerald, and Santolan stations and will run to and from Legarda. The modern PUVs, on the other hand, will transport passengers from Santolan to Legarda. A Bus Service Loop will also be available from Santolan to Cubao. All vehicles provided will charge a flat rate of P15 from Santolan to Cubao and P25 from Masinag to Legarda.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will continue to ferry affected LRT-2 passengers from Santolan to Cubao and back from 7am-7pm daily.
How will the partial resumption of LRT-2 operations affect your commute today?
