MANILA (UPDATE) - The government agency in charge of operating the LRT-2 said the railway will begin partial operations on Tuesday, Oct. 8
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said operations of LRT-2 from Cubao to Recto will resume, with the first train leaving Cubao Station at 6:00 a.m.
The last train, meanwhile, will leave Cubao Station at 8:30 a.m. and Recto Station at 9:00 p.m.
“Thorough safety checks have been completed, and the signaling, telecommunications, power supply systems, tracks and the trains for these stations have been cleared and in normal condition. Hence, we are now ready to serve the riding public,” LRTA Administrator Gen. Reynaldo Berroya said in a statement.
Berroya also explained operations of LRT-2 need to start late and close early for maintenance works.
He also appealed to passengers to allot more time for their travel as speed restrictions will be implemented. The number of trains that will operate will also be limited.
"We appeal to our passengers to allot an additional hour for their journeys since speed restrictions and a limited number of trains will be fielded to ensure passenger safety and the sufficiency of the power supply coming from the remaining rectifier substations," Berroya said.
Meanwhile, point-to-point buses will be deployed from Masinag, Emerald and Santolan stations to and from Legarda.
Modernized public utility vehicles will also be available to bring passengers from Santolan to Legarda, while a bus service loop will be available at Santolan, Katipunan, Anonas and Cubao stations.
The PUVs and buses will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. A flat rate of P15 from Santolan to Cubao and P25 from Masinag to Legarda will be charged.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), likewise, will continue to provide free bus rides to affected passengers daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Santolan to Cubao and back.
The LRT-2 suspended operations last Thursday after a fire damaged a section of the train system between the Anonas and Katipunan stations.
The LRTA warned that it may take at least 9 months to fully restore operations at the Anonas, Katipunan, and Santolan stations.
An extension of the LRT-2 to Antipolo is targeted to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2020. It is not known how the damage to the railway will affect the planned opening of the extension.