Jump to content

Manila Light Rail Transit System

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Manila Light Rail Transit System
A Line 1 train at Central Terminal station
A Line 2 train at Araneta Center–Cubao station
Overview
OwnerLight Rail Transit Authority
LocaleMetro Manila, Philippines
Transit typeRapid transit/Light metro
Number of lines2
Number of stations38
Daily ridership305,264 (2022)[1]
Annual ridership109.63 million (2022)
WebsiteLight Rail Transit Authority
Operation
Began operationDecember 1, 1984; 40 years ago (1984-12-01)
Operator(s)Line 1:
Light Rail Manila Corporation
Line 2:
Light Rail Transit Authority
CharacterGrade separated[a]
Rolling stockLight rail vehicles (Line 1)
Electric multiple units (Line 2)
Number of vehicles331 vehicles (88 sets)
Train length3–4 cars
Headway8 minutes (average)
Technical
System length43.5 km (27.0 mi)
No. of tracksDouble-track
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Minimum radius of curvature100–175 m (328–574 ft) (mainline);[2][3] 25–100 m (82–328 ft) (depot)[2][3]
ElectrificationOverhead lines
Average speed60 km/h (37 mph)
Top speed80 km/h (50 mph)

The Manila Light Rail Transit System, commonly known as the LRT, is an urban rail transit system that primarily serves Metro Manila, Philippines. Although categorized as a light rail system because it originally used light rail vehicles, it presently has characteristics of a rapid transit system, such as high passenger throughput, exclusive right-of-way, and later use of full metro rolling stock. The LRT is jointly-operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), a government corporation attached to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC). Along with the Manila Metro Rail Transit System and the Metro Commuter Line of the Philippine National Railways, the system makes up Metro Manila's rail infrastructure.

The LRT's 43.5-kilometer-route (27.0 mi) is mostly elevated and consists of two lines and 38 stations. Line 1, also called the Green Line (formerly known as the Yellow Line), opened in 1984 and travels a north–south route. Line 2, the Blue Line (formerly, the Purple Line), was completed in 2004 and runs east–west. The original Line 1 was built as a no-frills means of public transport and lacks some features and comforts, but the newer Line 2 has been built with additional standards and criteria in mind like barrier-free access. In 2022, the system served 305,264 passengers on average.[1] Security guards at each station conduct inspections and provide assistance. A reusable plastic magnetic ticketing system has replaced the previous token-based system in 2001, and the Flash Pass was introduced as a step towards a more integrated transportation system. In 2015, the plastic magnetic tickets were replaced with the Beep, a contactless smart card, introduced to provide a common ticketing to 3 rail lines and some bus lines.

Many passengers who ride the system also take various forms of road-based public transport, such as buses and jeepneys, to and from a station to reach their intended destination. Although it aims to reduce traffic congestion and travel times in the metropolis, the transportation system has only been partially successful due to the rising number of motor vehicles and rapid urbanization. The network's expansion is set on resolving this problem.

Network

[edit]

The network consists of two lines: the original Line 1 or Green Line, and the more modern Line 2, or Blue Line. Line 1 is aligned in a general north–south direction along over 25.9 kilometers (16.1 mi) of fully elevated track. From Monumento it runs south above the hustle and bustle of Rizal and Taft Avenues along grade-separated concrete viaducts allowing exclusive right-of-way before ending in Baclaran.[4][5] A three-station east–west extension along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue that will connect Monumento to the North Avenue station was opened in 2010, although the common station is still under construction. Including the extension's two recently opened stations, Balintawak and Roosevelt, Line 1 has twenty stations.[6][7] Line 2 consists of thirteen stations in a general east–west direction over 17.6 kilometers (10.9 mi) of mostly elevated track, with one station lying underground. Commencing in Recto, the line follows a corridor defined by Claro M. Recto and Legarda Avenues, Ramon Magsaysay and Aurora Boulevard, and the Marikina-Infanta Highway before reaching the other end of the line at Antipolo.[8] The system passes through the cities of Caloocan, Manila, Marikina, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, and San Juan.

During peak hours, Line 1 fields 30 trains at most; the time interval between the departure of one and the arrival of another, called headway, is a minimum of 3–4 minutes. On January 9, 2009, Line 1 fielded 31 trains with a headway of 2 minutes to service devotees in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.[9] Line 2 on the other hand, runs 10 trains at most with a minimum headway of 5 minutes.[10] With the proper upgrades, Line 1 is designed to potentially run with headway as low as 1.5 minutes.[11] Line 2 can run with headway as low as 2 minutes with throughput of up to 60,000 passengers per hour per direction (pphpd).[12]

In conjunction with the Line 3—also known as the new Yellow Line, a similar but separate metro rail system operated by the private Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC)—the system provides the platform for the vast majority of rail travel in the Metro Manila area. Together with the PNR, the three constitute the SRTS.[13] Recto and Doroteo Jose serve as the sole interchange between both lines of the LRTA. Araneta Center-Cubao and EDSA stations serve as interchanges between the LRTA and the MRTC networks. To transfer lines, passengers will need to exit from the station they are in then pass through covered walkways connecting the stations.[14] Blumentritt station meanwhile is immediately above its PNR counterpart.

Baclaran, Central Terminal, and Monumento are Line 1's three terminal stations; Recto, Araneta Center-Cubao, and Antipolo are the terminal stations on Line 2. All of them are located on or near major transport routes where passengers can take other forms of transportation such as privately run buses and jeepneys to reach their ultimate destination both within Metro Manila and in neighboring provinces. The system has two depots: Line 1 uses the Pasay Depot at LRTA headquarters in Pasay, near Baclaran station, while the Line 2 uses the Santolan Depot built by Sumitomo in Pasig.[4][8][12][15]

Both lines are open every day of the year from 4:30 am PST (UTC+8) until 10:15 pm on weekdays, and from 5:00 am until 9:50 pm on weekends, except when changes have been announced.[16] During Holy Week, a public holiday in the Philippines, the rail system is closed for annual maintenance, owing to fewer commuters and traffic around the metro. Normal operation resumes on Monday.[17] During the Christmas and year-end holidays, operating hours are shortened due to low ridership.[18] Notice of special schedules is given through press releases, via the public address system in every station, and on the LRTA and LRMC websites.

Name and color Opened Last extension Stations Length Termini
Line 1 December 1, 1984 (1984-12-01) November 16, 2024 (2024-11-16) 25 25.9 km (16.1 mi) ‹See TfM›Fernando Poe Jr. ‹See TfM›Dr. Santos
Line 2 April 5, 2003 (2003-04-05) July 5, 2021 (2021-07-05) 13 17.6 km (10.9 mi) ‹See TfM›Recto ‹See TfM›Antipolo
Lines and stations in italics are either under construction, not yet operational, or have been closed.

History

[edit]
Steam-powered tranvia that served Malabon and Tondo from 1888 to 1898.

Early train system (1878–1945)

[edit]

The system's roots date back to 1878 when an official from Spain's Department of Public Works for the Philippines submitted a proposal for a Manila streetcar system. The system proposed was a five-line network emanating from Plaza San Gabriel in Binondo, running to Intramuros, Malate, Malacañan Palace, Sampaloc and Tondo. The project was approved and in 1882, Spanish-German businessman Jacobo Zóbel de Zangroniz, Spanish engineer Luciano M. Bremon, and Spanish banker Adolfo Bayo, founded the Compañia de los Tranvias de Filipinas to operate the concession granted by the Spanish colonial government. The Malacañan Palace line was later replaced with a line linking Manila to Malabon, and construction began in 1885. Four German-made steam-operated locomotives and eight coaches for nine passengers each, composed the initial assets of the company. The Manila-Malabon line was the first line of the new system to be finished, opening to the public on October 20, 1888, with the rest of the network opening in 1889.[19] From the beginning it proved to be a very popular line, with services originating from Tondo as early as 5:30 a.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m., while trips from Malabon were from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., every hour on the hour in the mornings, and every half-hour beginning at 1:30 p.m.[20]

With the American takeover of the Philippines, the Philippine Commission allowed the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (Meralco) to take over the properties of the Compañia de los Tranvias de Filipinas,[21] with the first of twelve mandated electric tranvia (tram) lines operated by MERALCO opening in Manila in 1905.[22] At the end of the first year around 63 kilometers (39 mi) of track had been laid.[23] A five-year reconstruction program was initiated in 1920, and by 1924, 170 cars serviced many parts of the city and its outskirts.[23] Although it was an efficient system for the city's 220,000 inhabitants, by the 1930s the streetcar network had stopped expanding.[22][23][24]

An electric trolley with a man hanging off one side rounds a corner of a street lined by two-story stores and horse-drawn kalesas.
A tranvia from the 1910s

Post-war (1945–1977)

[edit]

The system was closed during World War II. By the war's end, the tram network was damaged beyond repair amid a city that lay in ruins. It was dismantled and jeepneys became the city's primary form of transportation, plying the routes once served by the tram lines.[22] With the return of buses and cars to the streets, traffic congestion became a problem.

In 1966, the Philippine government granted a franchise to Philippine Monorail Transport Systems (PMTS) for the operation of an inner-city monorail.[25] The monorail's feasibility was still being evaluated when the government asked the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to conduct a separate transport study.[24] Prepared between 1971 and 1973, the JICA study proposed a series of circumferential and radial roads, an inner-city rapid transit system, a commuter railway, and an expressway with three branches.[24] After further examination, many recommendations were adopted; however, none of them involved rapid transit and the monorail was never built. PMTS' franchise subsequently expired in 1974.[26]

Another study was performed between 1976 and 1977, this time by Freeman Fox and Associates and funded by the World Bank. It originally suggested a street-level railway, but its recommendations were revised by the newly formed Ministry of Transportation and Communications (now the DOTr). The ministry instead called for an elevated system because of the city's many intersections.[22] However, the revisions increased the price of the project from ₱1.5 billion to ₱2 billion. A supplementary study was conducted and completed within three months.

Advent of Line 1 (1977–2003)

[edit]
Below, on elevated tracks surrounded by a daytime urban landscape of roads, cars, buildings, and billboards, a metro train approaches, its front driver's window framed on the sides by angled planes and yellow markings visible as the rest of the train trails behind curving slightly to the right into the distance.
A Line 1 train approaching EDSA station

President Ferdinand Marcos created the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on July 12, 1980, by virtue of Executive Order No. 603[27] giving birth to what was then dubbed the "Metrorail". First Lady Imelda Marcos, then governor of Metro Manila and minister of human settlements, became its first chairman. Although responsible for the operations of the system, the LRTA primarily confined itself to setting and regulating fares, planning extensions and determining rules and policies, leaving the day-to-day operations to a sister company of Meralco called the Meralco Transit Organization (METRO Inc.).[28] Initial assistance for the project came in the form of a ₱300 million soft loan from the Belgian government, with an additional ₱700 million coming from a consortium of companies comprising SA Ateliers de Constructions Electriques de Charleroi (ACEC) and BN Constructions Ferroviaires et Métalliques (today both part of Bombardier Transportation and now Alstom), Tractionnel Engineering International (TEI) and Transurb Consult (TC).[28][29] Although expected to pay for itself from revenues within twenty years of the start of operation, it was initially estimated that the system would lose money until at least 1993. For the first year of operation, despite a projected ₱365 million in gross revenue, losses of ₱216 million were thought likely.[24]

Construction of Line 1 started in September 1981 with the Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines (now the Philippine National Construction Corporation) as the contractor with assistance from Losinger & Cie, a Swiss firm (today Losinger Marazzi), and the Philippine subsidiary of the U.S.-based Dravo Corporation. The government appointed Electrowatt Engineering Services of Zürich to oversee construction and eventually became responsible for the extension studies of future expansion projects.[24] The Electrowatt plan—which is still used for planning future metro lines—consisted of a 150-kilometer (93-mile) network of rapid transit lines spanning all major corridors within 20 years, including a line on the Radial Road 6 alignment, one of the region's busiest road corridor.[30]

The 1982 study of the system's network recommends lines that are proposed:[31]

  1. A first line will connect Baclaran and Monumento, although it is then still under construction.
  2. A second line would connect Recto to Aurora Boulevard.
  3. More lines that would run along EDSA, Quezon Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, Sta. Mesa, Shaw Boulevard, and Gil Puyat.

The line was test-run in March 1984, and the first half of Line 1, from Baclaran to Central Terminal, was opened on December 1, 1984. The second half, from Central Terminal to Monumento, was opened on May 12, 1985.[4] Overcrowding and poor maintenance took its toll a few years after opening. In 1990, the Line 1 fell so far into disrepair due to premature wear and tear that trains headed to Central Terminal station had to slow to a crawl to avoid further damage to the support beams below as cracks reportedly began to appear.[22] The premature aging of Line 1 led to an extensive refurbishing and structural capacity expansion program with a help of Japan's ODA.[32]

For the next few years Line 1 operations ran smoothly. In 2000, however, employees of METRO Inc. went on strike, paralyzing Line 1 operations from July 25 to August 2, 2000. Consequently, the LRTA did not renew its operating contract with METRO Inc. that expired on July 31, 2000, and assumed all operational responsibility.[4] At around 12:15 pm on December 30, 2000, a bomb—later learned to have been planted by Islamic terrorists—went off in the front coach of a Line 1 train pulling into Blumentritt station, killing 11 and injuring over 60 people in the most devastating of a series of attacks that day, now known as the Rizal Day bombings.[33][34]

The Line 2 project (2003–2021)

[edit]

With Japan's ODA amounting to 75 billion yen in total, the construction of Line 2 began in the 1990s.[35] In 2001, the Legarda portion of the project was briefly the site of the May 1 riots against the Philippine government, with one of the project's backhoe loaders being set on fire by protesters.[36][37] The first section of the line, from Santolan to Araneta Center-Cubao, was opened on April 5, 2003.[35] The second section, from Araneta Center-Cubao to Legarda, was opened exactly a year later, with the entire line being fully operational by October 29, 2004[38] During that time the Line 1 was modernized. Automated fare collection systems using magnetic stripe plastic tickets were installed; air-conditioned trains added; pedestrian walkways between Lines 1, 2, and 3 were completed.[14] In 2005, the LRTA made a profit of ₱68 million, the first time the agency made a profit since the Line 1 became operational in 1984.[39]

A two-station, 3.8-kilometer (2.4 mi) extension of Line 2 eastward from Marikina up to Masinag, Antipolo in the province of Rizal opened to the public on July 5, 2021, six years after construction began in 2015.[40]

Line 1 concession and extension (2015–present)

[edit]

First proposed by SNC-Lavalin, the south extension of Line 1 has 8 stations over 11.7 kilometers (7 mi) ending in Bacoor in the province of Cavite. After Lavalin's bid was rejected by the Philippine government in 2005, the government worked with advisers (International Finance Corporation, White & Case, Halcrow, and others) to conduct an open-market invitation to tender for the construction of the extension and a 30-year concession to run it. An additional extension from Bacoor to Imus and from there a further extension to Dasmariñas, both in Cavite, are also being considered.[41][42][43]

On March 22, 2012, the 60 billion Line 1 south extension project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).[44] In line with this, in October 2014, the operations and maintenance of Line 1 was awarded to the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), a joint venture company of Metro Pacific's Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation's AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation (AC Infra), and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure's Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd. (MIHPL).[45] The 32-year concession agreement took effect on September 12, 2015.[46][47]

The groundbreaking ceremony of the south extension took place on May 4, 2017,[48] with construction beginning in 2019. The first five stations (from Redemptorist station to Dr. Santos station) opened on November 16, 2024, while the second and third phases (from ‹See TfM›Zapote until ‹See TfM›Niog, hampered by right-of-way issues, will start operations in 2031.[49]

Infrastructure

[edit]

Stations

[edit]
A relatively empty boarding platform with only a handful of people identified by a sign as that at Vito Cruz station. Pebbles line the tracks and sunlight comes in from spaces open to the outside and large open flaps in the dark warehouse-like roof.
The concourse and platform areas of most Line 1 stations are both located on the same level.
The concourse and platform areas of Line 2 stations are located on different levels.

With the exception of Katipunan (which is underground), the LRTA's 33 stations are elevated.[4][6][8] They follow one of two different layouts. Most Line 1 stations are composed of only one level, accessible from the street below by stairway, containing the station's concourse and platform areas separated by fare gates.[50] The boarding platforms are 100 meters (328 ft 1 in) long and 3.5 meters (11 ft 6 in) wide.[5] Baclaran, Central Terminal, Carriedo, Balintawak, Fernando Poe Jr. and North Avenue stations on the Line 1, and all Line 2 stations are composed of two levels: a lower concourse level and an upper platform level (reversed in the case of Katipunan). Fare gates separate the concourse level from the stairs and escalators that provide access to the platform level. All stations have side platforms except for Baclaran, which has one side and one island platform, and Santolan, which has an island platform.

The concourse area at LRTA stations typically contain a passenger assistance office (PAO), ticket purchasing areas (ticket counters and/or ticket machines), and at least one stall that sells food and drinks.[51] Terminal stations also have a public relations office.[52] Stores and ATMs are usually found at street level outside the station, although there are instances where they can be found within the concourse.[12] Some stations, such as Monumento, Libertad and Araneta Center-Cubao, are directly connected to shopping malls.[14] Line 2 stations have two restrooms, but Line 1 restrooms have been the subject of criticism not only because of the provisioning of a single washroom at each station expected to serve all passengers (whether male, female, disabled or otherwise), but also because of the impression that the lavatories are poorly maintained and unsanitary.[53]

Folding bicycles are allowed to be brought inside the trains to promote bimodal transportation. The LRTA has also designated the last car of each train as "green zones", where folding bicycle users can ride with their bikes,[54] provided that it does not exceed the LRTA's baggage size limitations of 2 by 2 feet (20 by 20 in).[55]

Originally, Line 1 was not built with accessibility in mind. This is reflected in the Line 1's lack of barrier-free facilities such as escalators and elevators. It is also inconvenient in other ways: for one, because of the use of side platforms, passengers wishing to access the other platform for the train bound in the opposite direction at single-level Line 1 stations need to exit the station (and by extension, the system) and pay a new fare. The newer Line 2, unlike its counterpart, is designed to be barrier-free and allows seamless transfer between platforms. Built by a joint venture between Hanjin and Itochu, Line 2 stations have wheelchair ramps, braille markings, and tactile paving leading to and from the boarding platforms in addition to escalators and elevators.[8][12][56]

In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, copies of the Inquirer Libre—a free, tabloid-size, Tagalog version of the Inquirer broadsheet—are available at selected LRTA stations from 6:00 am until the supply runs out.[52]

Rolling stock

[edit]

Five types of rolling stock run on the system, with four types used on Line 1 and another used on Line 2.[8][28][57] The Line 2, unlike the Line 1, runs heavy rail metro cars made in South Korea by Hyundai Rotem and provided by the Asia-Europe MRT Consortium led by Marubeni Corporation that have higher passenger capacity and maximum speed.[58] All five types of rolling stock are powered by electricity supplied through overhead wires. Of the two LRTA lines, the Line 2 prominently employs wrap advertising in its rolling stock. The Line 1 have begun using wrap advertising as well initially for their second-generation trains, followed by their third and fourth-generation trains.

Line 1

[edit]

Line 1 at various stages in its history has used two-car, three-car, and four-car trains. The two-car trains are the original first-generation BN (1000) trains. Most were transformed into three-car trains, although a lot of two-car trains remain in service. The four-car trains are the more modern second-generation Hyundai Precision and Adtranz (1100), the third-generation Kinki Sharyo / Nippon Sharyo (1200),[59][60] and the fourth-generation Mitsubishi / Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (13000) trains. There are 259 railway cars grouped into 70 trains serving the line: 63 of these are first-generation cars, 28 second-generation, 48 third-generation, and 120 fourth-generation. One train car (1037) was severely damaged in the Rizal Day bombings and was subsequently decommissioned.[10] The maximum speed of these cars ranges between 60 and 70 kilometers per hour (37 and 43 mph).[28][57]

As part of the second phase of expansion on the Yellow Line, 12 trains made in Japan by Kinki Sharyo and Nippon Sharyo were shipped and entered revenue service in 2006. The air-conditioned trains have boosted the capacity of the line from 27,000 to 40,000 passengers per hour per direction.[60][61][62]

As part of the south extension of the line, 30 new trains built in Spain and Mexico by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles and Mitsubishi Corporation were procured in 2017.[63] The trains entered service in 2023.[64]

Line 2

[edit]
A train of the Line 2

Line 2 fleet runs eighteen heavy rail four-car trains with lightweight stainless car bodies and alternating current traction motors. They have a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) and usually take around forty minutes to journey from one end of the line to the other.[65] Each train measures 3.2 meters (10 ft 6 in) wide and 92.6 meters (303 ft 10 in) long allowing a capacity of 1,628 passengers: 232 seated and 1,396 standing.[8] Twenty sliding doors per side facilitate quick entry and exit. The line's trains also feature air conditioning, driverless automatic train operation from the Operations Control Center (OCC) in Santolan, low-noise control, enabled electric and hydraulic braking, and closed-circuit television inside the trains.[66][67] Special open spaces and seats are designated for wheelchair users and elderly passengers, and automatic next station announcements are made for the convenience of passengers, especially for the blind.[8][56]

An additional fourteen four-car trains for the east extension and the future west extension are currently in the process of being procured.[68]

Signalling

[edit]

The system has used various signalling systems throughout its history. The original signalling system used in the LRT Line 1 was based on fixed block and relay type trackside systems. Trains had an automatic train stop system that activates if the train passes by a red signal or over-speeding. In 2007, as part of a capacity expansion project, the signalling system was replaced with a signalling and train control system based on automatic train protection and automatic train supervision using Siemens technology.[44][3] In 2022, as part of the line's south extension, the existing signalling system used in Line 1 was replaced by the Atlas 100 solution of Alstom, which is based on ETCS Level 1.[69][70]

On the other hand, Line 2 uses the automatic train control system, which has three subsystems: automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO), and automatic train supervision (ATS). The ATO subsystem automatically drives the trains, while the opening and closing of doors is controlled by an onboard train attendant.[71][72] It is a track circuit-based system with equipment supplied by Westinghouse Signals (later Siemens Mobility).[73]

Line Supplier Solution Type Commission Date Remarks
Line 1 Alstom[70] Atlas 100[69] ETCS Level 1[74] 2022
Line 2 Westinghouse Signals
(later Siemens)[73]
TBS100[73] Fixed block ATC[71][72] 2003
Former
Line 1 ACEC unknown Fixed block[44] 1984 Decommissioned by 2007
Siemens[44] 2007 Decommissioned by 2022

Safety and security

[edit]

The system has always presented itself as a safe system to travel on, and despite some incidents a World Bank paper prepared by Halcrow deemed the running of metro rail transit operations overall as "good".[75] Safety notices in both English and Tagalog are a common sight at the stations and inside the trains. Security guards with megaphones can be seen at boarding areas asking crowds to move back from the warning tiles at the edge of platforms to avoid falling onto the tracks.[10] In the event of emergencies or unexpected events aboard the train, alerts are used to inform passengers about the current state of the operations. The LRTA uses three alerts: Codes Blue, Yellow, and Red.

Alert Indication
Code Blue Increased interval time between train arrivals
Code Yellow Slight delay in the departure and arrival of trains from stations
Code Red Temporary suspension of all train services due to technical problems

Smoking, previously banned only at station platforms and inside trains, has been banned at station concourse areas since June 24, 2008.[76] Hazardous chemicals, such as paint and gasoline, as well as sharp pointed objects that could be used as weapons, are forbidden.[77] Full-sized bicycles and skateboards are also not allowed on board the train, however folding bicycles are allowed on both lines as of November 8, 2009.[78][79] Those under the influence of alcohol may be denied entry into the stations.[77]

In response to the Rizal Day bombings, a series of attacks on December 30, 2000, that included the bombing of a Line 1 train among other targets, and in the wake of greater awareness of terrorism following the September 11 attacks, security has been stepped up on board the system. The Philippine National Police has a special police force assigned at both lines.[80] and security police provided by private companies are assigned to all stations with each having a designated head guard. Closed-circuit televisions have been installed to monitor stations and keep track of suspicious activities.[8] To better prepare for and improve response to any adverse incidents, drills simulating terror attacks and earthquakes have been conducted.[10][81] It is standard practice for bags to be inspected upon entry into stations by guards equipped with hand-held metal detectors. Those who refuse to submit to such inspection may be denied entry.[82] Since May 1, 2007, the LRTA has enforced a policy against making false bomb threats, a policy already enforced at airports nationwide. Those who make such threats can face penalties in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1727, as well as face legal action.[83] Posted notices on station walls and inside trains remind passengers to be careful and be wary of criminals who may take advantage of the crowding aboard the trains. To address concerns of inappropriate contact on crowded trains, the first coach of Line 1 and Line 2 trains have been designated for PWDs and females only.[52]

Fares

[edit]
Manila LRT fare levels[84]
Line Line 1 Line 2
Boarding fare ₱13.29
Distance fare[b] ₱1.21 per kilometer
Minimum ₱15.00
Maximum ₱45.00 ₱35.00
Note: Fares are lower when a stored value card is used.

In 2003, the Manila Light Rail Transit System was one of the least expensive rapid transit systems in Southeast Asia, costing significantly less to ride than other systems in the region.[85][86] Unlike other transportation systems, in which transfer to another line occurs within a station's paid area, passengers have to exit and then pay a new fare for the line they are entering. This is also the case on the Yellow Line when changing boarding platforms to catch trains going in the opposite direction.

Both lines use two different fare structures: one for single journey cards and another for stored value (Beep) cards. Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities are entitled to a twenty-percent discount.[87]

Ticketing

[edit]

Before 2001, passengers on Line 1 would purchase a token to enter the station. Subsequent upgrades in the fare collection system eventually transitioned the Yellow Line from a token-based system to a ticket-based system, with full conversion to a ticket-based system achieved on September 9, 2001.[88] Starting September 2015, the old magnetic tickets were decommissioned and replaced by contactless-based smart card technology by IDEMIA. Passengers can enter the system paid areas with either a single journey or stored value Beep Card. The Beep Card can be used on all LRT and MRT lines. Tickets can be sold from ticket booths staffed by station agents or from ticket machines.

Magnetic ticket

[edit]
‹See TfM›Roosevelt station in 2012, with the old turnstiles at the background when magnetic tickets were still used.

Previously, the system uses two types of tickets: a single journey (one-way) ticket whose cost is dependent on the destination, and a stored value (multiple-use) ticket available for ₱100.[89] Senior citizens and disabled passengers can receive fare discounts as mandated by law. Tickets would normally bear a picture of the incumbent president, though some ticket designs have done away with this practice.

Single journey tickets are only valid on the day of purchase and will be unusable afterward. They expire if not used to exit the same station after 30 minutes from entry or if not used to exit the system after 120 minutes from entry. If the ticket expires, the passenger will be required to buy a new one.

Stored value tickets are usable on both lines although a new fare will be charged when transferring from one line to the other. To reduce ticket queues, the LRTA is promoting the use of stored value tickets. Aside from benefitting from a lower fare structure on the Line 1, stored value ticket users can avail of a scheme called the Last Ride Bonus that grants the use of any residual amount in a stored value ticket less than the usual minimum ₱12 fare, or the appropriate fare for the station of arrival from the station of departure, as a full fare.[86] Stored value tickets are not reloadable and are captured by the fare gate after the last use. They expire six months after the date of first use.[89]

Tickets are used both to enter and exit the paid area of the system. A ticket inserted into a fare gate at the station of origin is processed and then ejected allowing a passenger through the turnstile. The ejected ticket is then retrieved while passing through so that it can be used at the exit turnstile at the destination station to leave the premises. Tickets are captured by the exit turnstiles to be reused by the system if they no longer have any value. If it is a stored value ticket with some value remaining, however, it is once again ejected by the fare gate to be taken by the passenger for future use.[50]

Despite the common practice for regular passengers to purchase several stored-value tickets at a time, the line barely has ticket shortages due to the inter-compatibility of tickets with the LRTA lines and the steady release of new tickets that addresses the problem.

Flash Pass

[edit]
A Flash Pass Card

To better integrate the LRTA and MRTC networks, a unified ticketing system utilizing contactless smart cards, similar to the Octopus card in Hong Kong and the EZ-Link card in Singapore, was made a goal of the SRTS.[90][91] In a transitional move towards such a unified ticketing system, the Flash Pass was implemented on April 19, 2004, as a stopgap measure.[92] However, plans for a unified ticketing system using smart cards have languished,[93] leaving the Flash Pass to fill the role for the foreseeable future. Originally sold by both the LRTA and the Metro Rail Transit Corporation, the Blue Line operator, the pass was discontinued with the election of Benigno Aquino III as President of the Philippines in 2010.

The pass consisted of two parts: the Flash Pass card and the Flash Pass coupon.[94] A nontransferable Flash Pass card used for validation had to be acquired before a Flash Pass coupon can be purchased. To obtain a card, a passenger needed to visit a designated station and fill out an application form. Although the card is issued free of charge and contains no expiry date, it is expected to be issued only once. Should it be lost, an affidavit of loss had to be submitted before a replacement can be issued. The Flash Pass coupon, which served as a ticket, was linked to the passenger's Flash Pass card through the card number printed on the coupon. Coupons were sold for ₱250 and were valid for unlimited rides on all three lines of the LRTA and MRTC for one week.[94] The card and coupon were used by showing them to a security guard at an opening along the fare gates, who after checking their validity allowed the holder to pass through.[92]

Beep card

[edit]
The current turnstiles used system-wide since 2015, at Ninoy Aquino station

Beep is a reloadable contactless smart card aimed to be a replacement for the magnetic card-based system in paying rail based rapid transit transportation fares in and around Metro Manila. Beep is also aimed to be used in lieu of cash in some convenience stores and other businesses. The Beep system is implemented and operated by AF Payments Incorporated, which is primarily owned by Ayala Corporation and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. It was first implemented in Line 2 in July 2015,[95] followed by Line 1 a month later.[96]

QR codes

[edit]

The Light Rail Manila Corporation and AF Payments, Inc. presented a QR code-based ticketing system to be used in Line 1. Once approved, it can serve as viable alternatives to single journey tickets and can be purchased via mobile apps. Implementation of this ticket system was originally set for 2022.[97]

Fare adjustment

[edit]

Adjusting passenger fares has been employed by the DOTC (predecessor of DOTr) and LRTA as a means to boost flagging ridership figures and improve the lines' services, and the issue of fares both historically and in the present continues to be a political issue.

Current fare levels were set on August 2, 2023, after its initial implementation by April 2023 was deferred by President Bongbong Marcos as economic inflation remained a major concern.[84] Proposals for such were delayed for several years despite inflation and rising operating costs.[98] Prior to the current fare levels, fares for both lines were set on January 4, 2015.[99] These lower fares—which are only slightly more expensive than jeepney fares—ended up being financed through large government subsidies amounting to around ₱25–45 per passenger,[100] and which for both the MRT and LRT reached ₱75 billion for the 10-year period between 2004 and 2014.[101] Without subsidies, the cost of a single trip is estimated at around ₱40–60,[100] and a ₱10 increase in fares would yield additional monthly revenues of ₱2–3 billion a month.[102]

Expansion

[edit]

Plans for expanding the LRTA network have been formulated throughout its history and successive administrations have touted trains as one of the keys to relieving Metro Manila of its long-standing traffic problems.[103] Expansion of the system was one of the main projects mentioned in a ten-point agenda laid out by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005.[104]

Extensions

[edit]

Line 2 is planned to be extended both further eastward to Cogeo, continuing from its eastern expansion to Antipolo, and westward from Recto up to the Manila North Harbor in Tondo.[105]

New lines

[edit]

The LRT Line 6 was originally conceived as a continuation of the LRT Line 1 to Dasmariñas, Cavite. In its current form, the "Modified" Line 6 proposal is a 23.5 km (14.6 mi) elevated railway from Niog station in Bacoor to Governor's Drive station in Dasmariñas via the Molino–Paliparan Road. The line will also be extended further north to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (as Line 6B) in Pasay and further south as Tagaytay (as Line 6A extension). There will also be branch lines passing through Dr. Santos Avenue and Alabang–Zapote Road in southern Metro Manila. The combined length of the proposed line including the extensions and branch lines is at 86 km (53 mi) and with a track length 169 km (105 mi).[106][107][108]

Network map

[edit]

Map


Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ While the rest of the system is mostly elevated, Line 2 has an underground section between ‹See TfM›Anonas and ‹See TfM›Santolan.
  2. ^ Added to the boarding fare per kilometer traveled.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Abadilla, Emmie V. (April 12, 2023). "10 regional airports up for sale - Bautista". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Light Rail Transit Authority (August 9, 2017). Maintenance of the Manila LRT Line 2 System, Terms of Reference (PDF) (Report). Light Rail Transit Philippines. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Japan International Cooperation Agency; Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd.; ALMEC Corporation; Katahira & Engineers International; Tonichi Engineering Consultants, Inc. (July 2013). LRT LINE 1 CAVITE EXTENSION PROJECT (PDF). STUDY ON RAILWAY STRATEGY FOR ENHANCEMENT OF RAILWAY NETWORK SYSTEM IN METRO MANILA OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES - FINAL REPORT (Report). Vol. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e "The Line 1 System – The Yellow Line". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  5. ^ a b United Nations Centre for Human Settlements. (1993). Provision of Travelway Space for Urban Public Transport in Developing Countries. UN–HABITAT. pp. 15, 26–70, 160–179. ISBN 92-1-131220-5.
  6. ^ a b "LRTA opens Balintawak station". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  7. ^ Kwok, Abigail (October 22, 2010). "New Line 1 station opens in Quezon City". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Line 2 System – The Purple Line". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on March 17, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  9. ^ "LRT-1 set new ridership record during Black Nazarene feast". GMA News and Public Affairs. January 11, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d Light Rail Transit Authority. Planning Department/MIS Division. (2007). Light Rail Transit Authority Annual Report 2006 (PDF). Author. pp. 18–20. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 8, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  11. ^ Gardner, Geoff and Francis Kuhn. (1992). Appropriate Mass Transit in Developing Cities. Paper presented at the 6th World Conference on Transport Research, Lyon, June 1992. p. 7. Retrieved March 11, 2010 from UK Department for International Development's Transport-Links Website.
  12. ^ a b c d "Manila light rail transit – Purple Line". Halcrow. Archived from the original on April 26, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  13. ^ Villanueva, Marichu. (July 15, 2003). "GMA Launches transit system". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  14. ^ "Contact Us". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  15. ^ "Train Schedule". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  16. ^ Ronda, Rainier Allan (March 31, 2010). "LRT, MRT closed for Holy Week". The Philippine Star. PhilStar Daily, Inc. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  17. ^ Grecia, Leandre (December 21, 2021). "Here are the LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 schedules for Christmas 2021". Top Gear Philippines. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  18. ^ R. De la Torre, Visitacion (1981). Landmarks of Manila, 1571–1930. Manila: Filipinas Foundation. p. 41.
  19. ^ de los Reyes, Isabelo (1890). "III". El folk-lore Filipino. University of the Philippines Press. Appendix "Malabon Monográfico".
  20. ^ The Philippines' Oldest Business House. Makati: Filipinas Foundation. 1984. pp. 68–70.
  21. ^ a b c d e Satre, Gary L. (June 1998). "The Metro Manila LRT System—A Historical Perspective" (PDF). Japan Railway and Transport Review. 16: 33–37. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2006. Retrieved May 8, 2006.
  22. ^ a b c Manila Electric Company (Meralco). (November 10, 2004). "History of Meralco". Meralco company website. Archived from the original on September 18, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Light Rail Transit Authority Company History". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
  24. ^ Republic of the Philippines. (Approved: June 14, 1966). Republic Act No. 4652 – An Act Granting the Philippine Monorail Transit System, Incorporated a Franchise to Establish, Maintain and Operate a Monorail Transportation Service in the City of Manila and Suburbs and Cebu City and Province. Retrieved December 13, 2009 from the Chan Robles Virtual Law Library.
  25. ^ Republic of the Philippines. (Enacted: October 4, 1971). Republic Act No. 6417 – An Act Amending Sections Three And Seven Of Republic Act Numbered Forty-Six Hundred Fifty-Two, Entitled "An Act Granting the Philippine Monorail Transit System, Incorporated a Franchise to Establish, Maintain and Operate a Monorail Transportation Service in the City Of Manila and Suburbs and Cebu City and Province". Retrieved December 13, 2009 from the Chan Robles Virtual Law Library.
  26. ^ Republic of the Philippines. (July 12, 1980). "Executive Order No. 603". Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2010 from the Light Rail Transit Authority Website.
  27. ^ a b c d Razon, Evangeline M. (June 1998). "The Manila LRT System" (PDF). Japan Railway and Transport Review. 16: 38–39. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 24, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  28. ^ Net Resources International. [ca. 2010]. "Manila Light Rail Extension, Philippines". Railway Technology. Retrieved January 14, 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Jose, Ricardo; Mabazza, Daniel; Lagman, Marco Stefan; Villasper, Jonathan. "Planning Metro Manila's Mass Transit System" (PDF). University of the Philippines Diliman. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 20, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  30. ^ Dans Jr., Jose P. (1987). Metro Manila, from the Top of the LRT System.
  31. ^ "Line 1 Capacity Expansion Project" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  32. ^ Aning, Jerome. (December 31, 2000). "Bodies tell of deadly force of LRT blast". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  33. ^ GMA News Research. (January 23, 2009). "Rizal Day bombing chronology". GMA News. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  34. ^ a b Japan International Cooperation Agency. "Metro Manila Strategic Mass Rail Transit Development". JICA Official Page. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  35. ^ Frialde, Mike; Etolle, Nestor (May 2, 2001). "4 killed as Estrada supporters assault Palace". Philstar.com. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved March 25, 2024. The mob also set a back hoe at the corner of Mendiola and Legarda streets on fire and threw rocks at the dispersal team which separated into two teams and continued to pursue the loyalists down Claro M. Recto Avenue.
  36. ^ Liwanag, Luis (June 22, 2002). "Philippino Marines form a phalanx against fleeing pro-Estrada demonstrators". Getty Images. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  37. ^ Bergonia, Allan. (October 28, 2004). "Line 2 Recto Station Opens". People's Journal. Archived from the original on March 8, 2005. Retrieved May 11, 2006 from the LRTA Website.
  38. ^ "LRTA posts profit, pays P23M in income taxes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 24, 2006. Archived from the original on September 7, 2006. Retrieved May 6, 2006 – via lrta.gov.ph.
  39. ^ Garcia, Leandre (July 5, 2021). "The new LRT-2 stations in Marikina and Antipolo are now operational". Top Gear Philippines. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  40. ^ Ho, Abigail L. (October 13, 2003). "LRTA set to bid out $841-M light rail project". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved April 7, 2006 – via lrta.gov.ph.
  41. ^ Batino, Clarissa S. (April 20, 2005). "Line 1 consortium seeks gov't. guarantee". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved April 7, 2006 – via lrta.gov.ph.
  42. ^ "The Line 1 South Extension Project". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on April 30, 2006. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
  43. ^ a b c d Department of Transportation and Communications; Light Rail Transit Authority (June 4, 2012). MANILA LRT1 EXTENSION, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROJECT (PDF). Public-Private Partnership Center (Report). Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  44. ^ "DOTC awards LRT-1 Cavex PPP; starts bid for LRT-2 O&M". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. September 13, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  45. ^ "LRMC Company Profile". Light Rail Manila Corporation. Archived from the original on August 23, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  46. ^ "LRMC consortium takes over LRT-1 operations". The Manila Times. September 14, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  47. ^ Saunar, Ivy (May 4, 2017). "₱65-billion light rail from Manila to Cavite begins construction". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on May 5, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  48. ^ Geducos, Argyll Cyrus (November 15, 2024). "Marcos inaugurates LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1; to open to public on Nov. 16". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  49. ^ a b Mga Gabay sa Pasaherong Sasakay ng LRT Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine [Tips for Passengers Riding the LRT]. [ca. 2010] (in Filipino). Light Rail Transit Authority. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  50. ^ Light Rail Transit Authority. (August 21, 2008). Environmental Impact Statement for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 South Extension Project (Report No. E1970). Retrieved March 26, 2010 from the World Bank Website.
  51. ^ a b c "Customer Services". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on June 22, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  52. ^ Ongoy, Lym R. (December 25, 2007). "Just one restroom for everyone at every station". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2007.
  53. ^ GMANews.TV, SOPHIA DEDACE (November 18, 2009). "Bikes, trains, and fewer cars with LRT's Bike O2 project". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  54. ^ "Wala pong limit sa diameter ng wheels. Kaugnay naman po ng bagahe, hanggang 2 feet x 2 feet po ang maximum dimension na pinapayagan sa LRT-2". Twitter. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  55. ^ a b "Line 2, Victory Liner are PWD-Friendly: PAVIC". Light Rail Transit Authority. August 2, 2004. Archived from the original on December 29, 2005. Retrieved April 7, 2006.
  56. ^ a b Otaki, Tsutomu (2007). "The Commissioning – In Case of a Project in Manila" (PDF). KS World. 14. Kinki Sharyo: 12–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  57. ^ "Infrastructure". Marubeni Philippines. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  58. ^ "The Line 1 Capacity Expansion Project (Phase I)". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on May 17, 2006. Retrieved April 7, 2006.
  59. ^ a b "Light Rail Transit Authority, Manila Philippines, Light Rail Vehicle". Kinki Sharyo. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  60. ^ "3rd Generation LRV Mock Up on Display". Light Rail Transit Authority. March 9, 2006. Archived from the original on April 24, 2006. Retrieved April 7, 2006.
  61. ^ Olchondra, Riza T. (December 7, 2006). "'3G' trains to serve LRTA riders Dec. 11: More comfortable, safer rides assured for commuter". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  62. ^ "CAF and Mitsubishi win LRV contract in Manila". Railway PRO. November 21, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  63. ^ Recuenco, Aaron (July 19, 2023). "New, state-of-the-art train sets await LRT-1 riders starting July 20". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  64. ^ Rotem. Total Rail Systems Division. (January 2005). "Rotem Ranks 3rd in Global Metro System Supply: SCI" (PDF). Rolling into the Future. 1: 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 23, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2010 – via www.industrykorea.net.
  65. ^ Toshiba (2003). "Power Systems and Industrial Equipment" (PDF). Science and Technology Highlights 2003: A Special Issue of Toshiba Review. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
  66. ^ Singapore Technologies Electronics. "Electronics Systems Package for Manila Line 2, Philippines" (PDF). Singapore Technologies Engineering. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 18, 2006. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  67. ^ Balinbin, Arjay (February 11, 2020). "LRT-2 extension 77% complete". Bworldonline.com. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  68. ^ a b "Alstom to supply an integrated metro solution to Manila". Alstom.com. February 12, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  69. ^ a b officialLRT1 (February 1, 2022). "LRMC completes upgrade of LRT-1 signalling system". Light Rail Manila Corporation. Retrieved February 2, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  70. ^ a b Department of Transportation and Communications; Light Rail Transit Authority (September 2014). LRT LINE 2 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROJECT (PDF) (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 22, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  71. ^ a b Light Rail Transit Authority (August 9, 2017). Maintenance of the Manila LRT Line 2 System, Terms of Reference (PDF) (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  72. ^ a b c Contract for the Supply of Various Signaling Equipment (Interlocking, Jointless Track Circuits, and Miscellaneous Wayside) or its approved equivalent (PDF) (Report). Light Rail Transit Authority. March 16, 2022. pp. 40–46. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  73. ^ "Alstom in the Philippines" (PDF). Alstom. November 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  74. ^ A Tale of Three Cities: Urban Rail Concessions in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila – Final Report (PDF) (Report). East Asia and Pacific Infrastructure Flagship Study. World Bank. December 2, 2004. p. 17. (Prepared by Halcrow Group Limited).
  75. ^ Uy, Veronica (June 24, 2008). "LRTA enforces no smoking policy". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  76. ^ a b Ruiz, JC Bello. (October 26, 2009). "LRTA reminders for holidays". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  77. ^ Kwok, Abigail. (November 6, 2009). "Bike your way to work on board LRT's 'green zones'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  78. ^ "Bike O2 Project". Light Rail Transit Authority. 2009. Archived from the original on September 21, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  79. ^ Del Puerto, Luigi A. & Tara V. Quismundo. (November 13, 2004). "New task force formed to keep LRT, MRT safe". The Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on August 28, 2005. Retrieved February 15, 2010 from the LRTA Website.
  80. ^ Punay, Edu. (July 31, 2006). LRTA holds bomb drill at Central terminal. The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  81. ^ Ruiz, JC Bello (December 7, 2009). "Wrapped gift items inspected at LRT, MRT rail stations". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  82. ^ Olchondra, Riza T. (May 3, 2007). LRTA warns commuters: No bomb jokes, or else.... Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  83. ^ a b Yu, Lance Spencer (June 19, 2023). "Fare hikes for LRT1 and LRT2 to take effect by August 2". Rappler. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  84. ^ "LRT Fares Lowest in Southeast Asia". Light Rail Transit Authority. December 5, 2003. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved April 7, 2006.
  85. ^ a b "LRT Passengers Urged to Use Stored Value Ticket". Light Rail Transit Authority. December 10, 2003. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved April 8, 2006.
  86. ^ Ong, Ghio; Rosales, Elijah Felice (August 1, 2023). "LRT fares up starting August 2". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  87. ^ "The Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) Project". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on June 29, 2006. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  88. ^ a b "Ticket and Fare Structure". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  89. ^ "LRT, MRT smart cards for commuters". The Manila Bulletin. December 10, 2003. Archived from the original on March 10, 2005. Retrieved February 22, 2010 from the LRTA Website.
  90. ^ Casanova, Sheryll B. (February 4, 2004). "Single Pass Rail Ticket May Be Ready Ahead of Schedule". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved April 7, 2006 from the LRTA Website.
  91. ^ a b Marfil, Jude O. (April 20, 2004). "For LRT, MRT riders: 1 ticket, 3 lines". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved February 22, 2010 from the LRTA Website.
  92. ^ "Integrated Ticketing Systems for Various LRTA Lines". National Economic and Development Authority. Archived from the original on March 13, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2006.
  93. ^ a b "Flash Pass Ticketing System". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on July 8, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  94. ^ Corrales, Nestor (July 21, 2015). "LRT 'Beep card' trial a success – DOTC". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  95. ^ Bonquin, Carolyn (August 17, 2015) [August 16, 2015]. "LRT-1 begins public trial of new Beep cards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  96. ^ Cordero, Ted (November 11, 2021). "LRT1 operator proposes QR-based ticketing system". GMA News. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  97. ^ "LRT-MRT FARES TO BE INCREASED ON JAN.4". dotc.gov.ph. Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  98. ^ Camus, Miguel R. (January 4, 2015). "Metro train fares rise on Sunday". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  99. ^ a b Diokno, Benjamin E. (December 17, 2013). "Folly of government subsidy". BusinessWorld. BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  100. ^ Valderrama, Tita C. (February 9, 2014). "Messed up mass transport system". The Manila Times. Manila Times Publishing Corporation. Archived from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  101. ^ Agcaoili, Lawrence (December 14, 2013). "DOTC says MRT, LRT fare hike to yield P2-B add'l revenues". The Philippine Star. PhilStar Daily, Inc. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  102. ^ Virola, Romulo A. (October 12, 2009). "Land Transport in the Philippines: Retrogressing Towards Motorcycles?". Philippine Statistics Authority. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  103. ^ Republic of the Philippines. Office of the President. (July 21, 2005). "SONA 2005 Executive Summary". Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
  104. ^ "The Metro Manila Strategic Mass Rail Transit Development Project: Line 2". Light Rail Transit Authority. Archived from the original on May 17, 2006. Retrieved April 6, 2006.
  105. ^ "Project Description for Scoping (Line 6A and 6B/C)" (PDF). eia.emb.gov.ph. Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. January 31, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  106. ^ "LRT6-Executive Summary English" (PDF). Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. August 15, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  107. ^ "Cavite-laguna Public Transport Master Plan and the Preliminary Feasibility Study of Medium-capacity Rail System in the Republic of Philippines" (PDF). Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. February 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2021.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]