LRT-1 to try longer hours

MANILA, Philippines - The Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 is set to test extending its operation by one hour to serve late-night commuters starting on July 10.

If the results of the test run, which will end on Aug. 9, indicate that the public is interested, “then we would be pleased to do a more detailed study to make it permanent,” Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) president and chief executive officer Jesus Francisco said in a statement yesterday.

Northbound trains would leave the Baclaran terminal at 9:40 p.m., 9:50 p.m. and 10 p.m., while southbound trains would depart the Roosevelt terminal at 10:10 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

On weekends and holidays, northbound trains would be out of the Baclaran terminal at 9:10 p.m., 9:20 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., while the southbound trains would leave the Roosevelt terminal at 9:40 p.m. and 9:50 p.m.

LRT-1 runs from Baclaran in Pasay City to Roosevelt in Quezon City. The rail line carries an average of 400,000 passengers per day.

LRMC took over the operation of LRT-1 in September last year after being awarded the contract under the public-private partnership program.