LRT-2 passengers get bus, jeep rides

MANILA, Philippines — The daily struggles of commuters in Metro Manila continued yesterday amid the closure of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) after the train’s power transformers exploded last week.

Hundreds of passengers were stranded as they lined up for buses deployed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Philippine Coast Guard after the LRT-2 failed to resume its partial operations during the first day of the week.

A total of 11 jeepneys and nine buses were deployed by the government to help transport the affected passengers.

But not all were lucky to catch rides. Some passengers, especially women, fainted while waiting for rides.

The LRT-2 management announced that it would implement partial operations or limited trips today.

Aside from the government buses that would service passengers for free between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., the LRT-2 announced that 21 city and provincial buses would transport commuters from Santolan to Cubao stations from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Buses would be stationed at the Santolan, Emerald and Masinag stations to transport commuters straight to Legarda station.

Twenty-four modern jeepneys would make point-to-point trips between Santolan and Cubao stations.

Fares will be similar to train fares for these routes ranging from P15 to P25.

The LRT-2 management said it is not possible to conduct limited train trips.

 “We did our best. But due to the complexity of the problem, we were not able to complete the test runs and safety checks of the railway system,” it said in a statement.

The LRT-2 management asked for understanding, saying that passenger safety cannot be compromised.

It assured commuters that LRT-2 operations would resume once the trains and the signaling, telecommunications and power supply systems are cleared.

Only the Cubao to Recto operations would be able to resume trips. Operations from Santolan to Anonas and back would be shutdown for up to nine months.

LRT-2 spokesman Hernando Cabrera said the government had been losing P3.2 million in income daily since the LRT-2 was closed.

The LRT-2 serves an average of 200,000 passengers daily.

Special permits

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued special permits to around 90 public utility vehicles (PUVs) to help transport passengers affected by the LRT-2 shutdown. 

Data provided by the LTFRB showed that 89 buses and other PUVs were given temporary permits to serve as augmentation to service commuters while the LRT-2 is on partial closure.

The special permits will be valid for six months or until the LRT-2 resumes full operations. 

The PUVs will ply Santolan, Cubao and Legarda routes for a minimum fare of P15. – With Romina Cabrera