MRT-LRT updates

The Department of Transportation announces that the Metro Rail Transit 3's free rides as part of the 123rd Philippines Civil Service Anniversary kicks off today, Monday.

The free rides will be implemented from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Those who wish to avail must present valid government ID.

Passengers queue at LRT-1 EDSA station on Friday amid the limited operations of the Light Rail Train-1, PTV-4 reported.

Light Rail Manila Corporation earlier advises that the operations from LRT-1 EDSA to Baclaran Station will be limited due to a "mechanical problem" being experienced in the Generation-2 trainset. 

The regular operations from Gil Puyat until Fernando Poe Jr. station will continue, according to the report.

A rolling stock problem on the northbound track between the Taft and Magallanes stations has led MRT-3 management to implement "a provisional service from North Avenue station to Shaw Boulevard station, and vice versa."

"Currently, there are 8 train sets running in the mainline. Intervention by our technical personnel is ongoing. We apologize for the inconvenience," DOTr-MRT-3 management says on its social media channels.

The average number of MRT-3 riders has decreased from 200,000 passengers per day to around 140,000, says MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael Capati, as reported by CNN Philippines.

At a Laging Handa government briefing, Capati attributes the drop to the ongoing COVID-19 wave which has forced countless of passengers to self-isolate and avoid non-essential travel.

MRT management will be suspending operations of the train line from March 30 to April 4 for its annual maintenance shutdown and to conduct swabbing on personnel, some of whom have alreadt tested positive for COVID-19.

"Recently, 12 tellers and a cash assistant tested positive for COVID-19. The 12 Tellers who tested positive are assigned at the Santolan, Ortigas, and Cubao Stations," MRT management says.

"These personnel have been isolated since being identified via contact tracing, and are all now in quarantine. In addition, contact tracing has also been conducted."

Movement on Metro Rail Transit-3 "is being regulated" train management says over what was initially reported as a technical problem.

"At 12:16 PM today, a street vagrant jumped over and fell at the interstation of tracks of Buendia and Ayala. The matter is now being addressed by concerned MRT-3 personnel, medical personnel, and police authorities," DOTr-MRT-3 also says.

MRT-3 ADVISORY

At 12:16 PM today, a street vagrant jumped over and fell at the interstation of tracks of Buendia and Ayala.

The matter is now being addressed by concerned MRT-3 personnel, medical personnel, and police authorities.

Train movement is being regulated.

### pic.twitter.com/DnnlCYGHSF

— DOTr MRT-3 (@dotrmrt3) October 15, 2019

MRT-3 adds the first Dalian train set to its regular fleet starting today, October 15, the Department of Transportation says. One Dalian train set which is equivalent to three train coaches will hit the tracks of MRT-3 mainline during off-peak hours in the evening from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

DOTr MRT-3 Press Release
15 October 2019

MRT-3 ADDS FIRST DALIAN TRAIN SET TO ITS REGULAR FLEET

Starting today, 15 October 2019, one Dalian train set (equivalent to three train coaches) will hit the tracks of MRT-3 mainline..#DOTrPH????????

READ FULL: https://t.co/MgFEDZnWur https://t.co/tNttd4JANl

— DOTrPH ???????? (@DOTrPH) October 14, 2019

LRTA spokesperson Hernando Cabrera says the LRT-2 may resume full operations in two to three months instead of at least nine months as initially announced.

The LRT-2 will start operations at 5 a.m. from Monday, October 14, the LRT Authority announces

FYI: LRT-2 will operate at an earlier time of 5 AM starting Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 to accommodate more passengers yet still have sufficient time for maintenance works. Please be guided accordingly. Have a safe trip! pic.twitter.com/zOLep1n5Lb

— LRT2 (@OfficialLRTA) October 12, 2019

Free rides for students on the LRT-2 will only be available from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, the Light Rail Transit Authority announces.

FYI pic.twitter.com/WssF9tLneu

— LRT2 (@OfficialLRTA) October 10, 2019

The new schedule for free rides is because of the adjusted revenue schedule of the LRT-2, which is on partial operations. "Schedule of free rides in the morning will resume once the full operation of the LRT-2 system is restored," LRTA also says.

Commuters are lining up at Cubao Station as the LRT-2 implements partial operations from Cubao to Recto and Recto to Cubao today.

Only trips from Cubao to Recto stations and vice versa are operational. Operations from Santolan to Anonas stations would be shut down for up to nine months.

Transport authorities said LRT-2 operations would resume once the trains and the signaling, telecommunications and power supply systems are cleared.

Photo by The STAR/Michael Varcas

LRT-2 will implement partial operations on Tuesday, October 8, LRTA spokesperson Hernando Cabrera announces.

Trips will be from Cubao to Recto only.

"First train 6:00 AM, last train from Cubao 8:30 PM, last train from Recto 9:00 PM," he says.

As an interim measure while the LRT-2 remains non-operational, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is offering free bus rides to train passengers with 30 buses and 20 minivans.

Some bus lines have also been granted a permit to extend their routes, charging passengers a fare similar to what they would pay for a train ride.

LRT-2 will not be operating from Cubao to Recto today, Oct. 7, 2019.

Train authorities are appealing for understanding as they halt partial commercial operations of the line that was shutdown last week after its transformer burst into flames.

"We did our best due to the complexity of the problem, we were not able to complete the test runs and safety checks of the telecommunication system today," LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya said in a statement late Sunday.

The Light Rail Transit Authority announces that Santolan, Anonas and Katipunan stations of LRT-2 will not be operational for nine months after a fire broke out Thursday.  

The train management says it will be able to resume partial operations next week, but only from Cubao to Recto station.

Monitor this page for updates on the operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line and the Light Rail Transit Line.