LRT-2 operator expects higher revenue this year

MANILA, Philippines — The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is tracking a path to higher revenue this year as ridership is expected to rise further.

LRTA expects rail revenue to reach P1.196 billion for this year, a nine percent improvement from the P1.096 billion generated from rail operations last year.

“We will definitely exceed it (2023 rail revenue) this year,” LRTA administrator Hernando Cabrera said, noting that the 2023 rail revenue has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

For this year, the operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) sees ridership rising to 50.7 million from  49.43 million last year.

Last year’s ridership represented a 56 percent surge compared to the previous year’s 31.64 million.

The substantial increase in ridership in 2023 was attributed by LRTA to the gradual relaxation of COVID-19 protocols, particularly the shift to a lower alert level.

“As health and safety measures became less restrictive, commuters felt comfortable and safe in using public transportation, leading to the resurgence in LRT Line 2’s ridership,” it said.

For the whole of 2023, the LRT 2 maintained its full capacity operation, accommodating a maximum of 1,307 passengers per train.

LRTA’s non-rail revenues last year, meanwhile, amounted to P553.57 million.

Non-rail revenues come from stall rentals, leasing, advertising spaces and other miscellaneous.

The LRT-2 system spans 17.6 kilometers, stretching from Recto in Manila to Masinag in Antipolo.

It encompasses 13 stations that are managed, operated and maintained by  LRTA.

LRT-2 initially began partial operations in April 2003, achieving full-line commercial operation in October 2004.

The Marikina-Pasig and Antipolo stations, integral to the LRT-2 East Extension project, commenced operation in September 2021.