(Photo courtesy of DOTr)
MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has deployed 20 buses on a trial basis to provide alternative transportation for Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) passengers amid limited train capacity and long queues during peak hours.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Wednesday that the buses would serve commuters traveling from Antipolo City to Cubao and Legarda, with discounted fares aimed at easing the financial burden on passengers.
During a media interview at the LRT-2 Masinag Station in Antipolo City, Dizon said approximately 4,000 commuters could not be accommodated by the railway during the morning rush hour between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.
The shortage of available trains has resulted in long queues, with passengers waiting between 30 and 45 minutes before boarding.
Dizon attributed the problem to aging trains, inadequate maintenance and years of insufficient funding for the railway system.
“Sampung train lang ang umaandar. Yun na ang maximum dahil ‘yung mga ibang train, dahil nga hindi na-maintain nang maayos, kulang sa pondo all these years… 25 years na ‘yung mga train, hindi na napalitan,” Dizon said.
He explained that only 10 trains are currently operational, limiting the rail line’s ability to accommodate the growing number of passengers.
To provide immediate relief, the DOTr introduced discounted bus fares, with regular passengers paying Php 66 instead of the usual Php 80, while students will be charged Php 55.
The agency said the additional buses are intended to reduce congestion at LRT-2 stations and provide commuters with another transportation option while longer-term improvements are being pursued.
Dizon acknowledged that acquiring new train coaches would take approximately three to four years, making temporary measures necessary to address the capacity shortage.
Among the options being studied is a busway-style transportation system along Marcos Highway to help accommodate commuters traveling between eastern Metro Manila and nearby areas of Rizal.
The transportation chief said the government is exploring alternative solutions to improve passenger mobility while awaiting the modernization and expansion of the railway’s rolling stock.
Meanwhile, the DOTr is preparing a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement for the operations and maintenance of LRT-2 to improve service reliability and accelerate train repairs.
Dizon assured commuters that the proposed partnership would not result in automatic fare increases, emphasizing that the government would retain authority over fare regulation.
“Uulitin ko ha, ang pasahe hindi magbabago. Ang gobyerno pa rin ang may control sa pasahe. Ang magbabago, yung mas magandang serbisyo at yung mas mabilis na pag-maintain ng ating mga train,” he said.
The transportation secretary reiterated that the planned arrangement is intended to improve operational efficiency, strengthen maintenance capabilities and deliver more reliable services to commuters.
The DOTr said the deployment of additional buses and the proposed railway improvements are part of its efforts to address overcrowding and provide safer, more convenient transportation for LRT-2 passengers.
