LRT Line 2

LRT Line 2
standard gauge
Loading gauge	4,300 mm × 3,354 mm (14 ft 1.3 in × 11 ft 0 in)[4]
Minimum radius	Mainline: 175 m (574 ft) Depot: 100 m (330 ft)
Electrification	1,500 V DC overhead lines
Operating speed	60–70 km/h (37–43 mph)
Signalling	Westinghouse fixed block ATC[5][6][7]
Highest elevation	45 m (148 ft) at Antipolo station
Maximum incline	5%[5]
Average inter-station distance	1.28 km (0.80 mi)
Route map Legend Antipolo Antipolo Marikina Marikina–Pasig Marikina Pasig Santolan Santolan Depot Pasig Marikina Marikina River Marikina Quezon City Katipunan Anonas Quirino Highway - FTI  NAIA Terminal 3  MMS  Araneta Center–Cubao 3 North Avenue - Taft Avenue Betty Go-Belmonte Gilmore Quezon City San Juan J. Ruiz San Juan Quezon City San Juan River Quezon City Manila V. Mapa FTI / Alabang / Calamba Pureza Legarda University Avenue 8 Recto Doroteo Jose Roosevelt - Baclaran - Niog Valenzuela - Gov. Pascual approved extension Tutuban Divisoria Pier 4 This diagram: view talk edit

The Light Rail Transit Line 2, also known as LRT Line 2, LRT-2 or Megatren, is a

The line is integrated with the public transit system in Metro Manila, and passengers 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 the line aimed to reduce traffic congestion and travel times along R-6 and portions of C-1, the transportation system has only been partially successful due to the rising number of motor vehicles and rapid urbanization. Expanding the network's revenue line to accommodate more passengers is set on tackling this problem.

Future plans include a three-station westbound extension in Manila by 2024^[10] and another proposed eastbound extension from Antipolo station in Masinag towards Cogeo and downtown Antipolo.^[11]

Route

The rail line serves the cities that

Three stations serve as connecting stations between other lines in the metro. Pureza is within walking distance to the Santa Mesa station of the PNR Metro Commuter Line; Araneta Center–Cubao is indirectly connected to the station of the same name on the MRT Line 3 through local streets and inter-connected mall passageways inside Araneta City (formerly Araneta Center); and Recto is indirectly connected to the Doroteo Jose station of the LRT Line 1 through a covered walkway. No stations are connected to other rapid transit lines within the paid areas.

List of stations

Name	Distance (km)		Connections	Location
	Between stations	Total
Antipolo	—	0.000	Bus routes  3   56  SM City Masinag	Antipolo, Rizal
Marikina–Pasig	2.232	2.232	Bus routes  3   56  Robinsons Metro East	Marikina
Santolan	1.795	4.027	Bus routes  3   56  SM City Marikina  36  Riverbanks Center	Marikina / Pasig
Katipunan	1.970	5.997	Bus routes  3  Katipunan Avenue  18   36   39   41   50   51   56  Aurora Boulevard	Quezon City
Anonas	0.955	6.952	Manila MRT  MMS  Anonas Bus routes  3   51  Anonas Street
Araneta Center–Cubao	1.438	8.390	Manila MRT 3 Araneta Center–Cubao EDSA Carousel   1   Cubao Bus routes  3  Gateway Mall  51   53   61  Farmers Plaza
Betty Go-Belmonte	1.164	9.554	Bus routes  3  Belmonte Street
Gilmore	1.075	10.629	Bus routes  3  Gilmore Avenue
J. Ruiz	0.928	11.557	Bus routes  3  J. Ruiz Street	San Juan
V. Mapa	1.234	12.791	Bus routes  2   3  V. Mapa Street	Manila
Pureza	1.357	14.148	PNR Santa Mesa Bus routes  2   3  Pureza Street Pasig River Ferry Service PUP Ferry Station
Legarda	1.389	15.537	Bus routes  2   3  Earnshaw Street
Recto	1.050	16.587	Manila LRT Doroteo Jose Manila MRT Lerma Bus routes  2   3  Hidalgo Street  13   19   20   21  Avenida  42  Doroteo Jose  5   6   7   14   17   34   38   40   49   52   53   54  Quiapo
Tutuban	—	—	PNR  NSCR  Tutuban Bus routes  8   65   66  Divisoria
Divisoria	—	—	none
Pier 4	—	—	Ferry services North Port Passenger Terminal Bus routes  22   35  Recto Avenue  44   45   46   47  North Harbor
Stations, lines, and/or other transport connections in italics are either under construction, proposed, unopened, or have been closed.

Operations

The line currently runs from 5:00 a.m.

Planning and early delays

During the construction of the first line of the Manila Light Rail Transit System in the early 1980s, a Swiss company called Electrowatt Engineering Services designed a comprehensive plan for metro service in Metro Manila. The plan—still used as the basis for planning new metro lines—consisted of a 150-kilometer (93 mi) 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.

A feasibility study for the LRT Line 2 that would connect Marikina to the

Construction started in 1997 after the LRTA signed the first three packages of the agreement with Sumitomo Corporation delivering Package 1 in which covers the construction of the depot and its facilities,^[20] while the Hanjin-Itochu joint venture delivered packages 2 and 3 in which covers the substructure and the superstructure plus the stations respectively.^[21][22]

The project suffered delays in 1998 when the fourth package of the project, which includes the communications and fares systems, vehicles, and trackworks, were alleged to had irregularities with the contract.

During construction, the LRTA, along with the project consultants oversaw all the design, construction, equipping, testing, commissioning, and technical supervision of the project activities. Halcrow was appointed in 1997 as the lead consultant for the project.^[27]

The pre-casting segmental method, a method used to launch girders and connect them to create a full span, was used in the construction of the original 13.8-kilometer (8.6 mi) line (except the 700-meter (2,296 ft 7 in) underground section in Katipunan).^[5][4][28]

On April 5, 2003, the first 4.3 kilometers (2.7 mi) of the line,

To address passenger complaints on the lack of universal access on earlier train lines, the LRTA made sure during the construction phase that the stations were equipped with universal access by putting up escalators and elevators for easier access, as well as making passenger fares at par with the other existing lines. However, while all stations have elevators to and from the platform, not all stations have elevators to and from the station concourse on both sides of the road.

East extension

Plans to extend the line to Antipolo were first laid out as part of Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study Master Plan by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 1999.^[33] The extension was first approved by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in October 2003.^[34][35] The Light Rail Transit Authority announced its intention to extend the line eastward to Antipolo in 2006.^[36] The project aims to accommodate an additional 80,000 passengers and reduce traffic congestion along Marcos Highway.^[37]

The Light Rail Transit Authority secured funds for the project from Philippine banks in May 2011.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 9, 2015 to mark the start of construction of the extension.[45] Another groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 30, 2017 to mark the start of construction of the two stations.^[43] The final phase of construction, covering the installation of the tracks, electrical and mechanical systems, commenced on April 16, 2019.^[46]

During construction, on March 10, 2017, a truck slammed in a concrete post of the east extension viaduct, killing one and injuring two people.^[47]

Unlike the original line which used the pre-casting segmental method of construction, the east extension viaduct made use of

The east extension was originally expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020. However, construction delays brought by the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its opening. The extension was initially set to open in April 2021,^[48][49] but was postponed twice.^[50][51] After series of delays, the extension opened on July 5, 2021 after being inaugurated on July 1 by President Rodrigo Duterte.^[3][52] The Light Rail Transit Authority offered free rides for the East Extension stations for two weeks from its opening.^[40]

The opening of the east extension was met with long lines and inconveniences reported by passengers. These include the lack of trains in the line and the inefficient shuttle service between Santolan and Antipolo pending signaling integration works (of which only one train served this temporary service, causing waiting times that can reach as long as 20 to 30 minutes).^[53][54][55] Seamless end-to-end train services begun on September 3, 2021 after integration works were completed.^[a]

Station facilities, amenities, and services

With the exception of Katipunan station, all stations are above ground.

Station layout and accessibility

Stations have a standard layout, with a concourse level and a platform level. The concourse is usually below the platform except for the underground station, with

Most station platforms have a length of 100 meters (330 ft) and a width of 3.5 to 4.5 meters (11 to 15 ft), with some stations having a length of 120 to 150 meters (390 to 490 ft).[5]

As of November 8, 2009, folding bicycles are allowed to be brought into trains provided that it does not exceed the LRTA's baggage size limitations of 2 by 2 feet (20 by 20 in).^[58] The last car of each train are also designated as "green zones", where folding bicycle users can ride with their bikes.^[59]

The line has a total of 72 escalators and 40 elevators across all 13 stations.^[60] However, by 2021, only a few elevators and escalators remain operational due to anomalies and corruption involving the procurement contracts,^[61][62] causing complaints from passengers.^[9] The elevators and escalators are being repaired and restored since 2022,^[63] and more are being repaired and restored as of April 2022.^[60]

Shops and services

Inside the concourse of all stations is at least one stall or stand where people can buy food or drinks. Stalls vary by station, and some have fast food stalls. The number of stalls also varies by station, and stations tend to have a wide variety, especially in stations such as Recto and V. Mapa.

Stations such as Recto and Santolan are connected to or are near shopping malls and/or other large shopping areas, where commuters are offered more shopping varieties.

In cooperation with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, passengers are offered a copy of the Inquirer Libre, a free, tabloid-size, Tagalog version of the Inquirer, which is available from 6 a.m. at all stations.

Ridership

The line is designed and was forecasted to carry 570,000 passengers daily.^[19] However, the line operates under its designed capacity since its opening,^[64] government officials have admitted that system extensions are overdue, although in the absence of major investment in the system's expansion, LRTA has resorted to experimenting with and/or implementing other solutions to maximize the use of the system, including having bus feeder lines.^[65]

Before the pandemic, the line had a ridership of 200,000 passengers, but the ridership soon decreased in 2019 due to lack of trains and a power trip that closed three stations in October 2019 that was reopened in January 2021. The line served 33,267 passengers daily on average in 2021,^[12] with 8 trains available for revenue service running at an operating speed of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour (37 to 43 mph) in 10 minute intervals, and 1 train in reserve for rush hour services, which cuts the time intervals to a minimum of 8 minutes.^[66]

Statistics

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

Year	Daily Average[67]	Yearly Total[67]
2003	9,221	2.36 million[68]
2004	61,337	23.03 million
2005	116,082	41.90 million
2006	132,154	47.57 million
2007	147,032	52.93 million
2008	161,846	58.59 million
2009	171,996	62.09 million
2010	175,501	63.36 million
2011	176,818	63.81 million
2012	194,268	70.33 million
2013	197,924	71.45 million
2014	201,794	72.85 million
2015	172,318	62.21 million
2016	185,071	67.00 million
2017	182,708	65.96 million
2018[69]	177,260	64.70 million
2019[70]	156,110	56.98 million
2020[12]	45,463	12.50 million
2021[12]	33,267	11.84 million
2022[71]	88,597	31.63 million
2023[2]	138,455	49.42 million

Rolling stock

The line runs sixteen

In 2017, the entire train fleet was retrofitted with the

In 2019, the train ventilation was upgraded to replace the aging air-conditioning units and to alleviate complaints of the commuters for uncomfortable hot rides.[73] Two years later, three train sets underwent refurbishment and resulted in new fitted propulsion systems and train monitoring systems from Woojin Industrial Systems.^[74]

The LRTA is also acquiring 14 additional train sets by 2020 to augment the existing 18 sets, due to the expected increase of passengers ahead of the East Extension, and the West Extension.^[75] The purchase however was delayed to 2022.^[76]

Included in the design-and-build contract of the west extension is the procurement of five four-car train sets.^[77]

Depot

The line maintains an at-grade depot in Barangay Santolan in Pasig, near Santolan station in the side of Barangay Calumpang in Marikina. The depot occupies approximately 10 hectares (25 acres) of space and serves as the headquarters for light and heavy maintenance of the line.

The depot is capable of storing 24 sets of electric multiple units, with the option to expand to include more vehicles as demand arises. They are parked on several sets of tracks, which converge onto the spur route and later on to the main network.^[78]

There are eight decommissioned 1000 class and one set of 1100 class trains formerly used in LRT Line 1 being stored in this depot due to the expansion of the Line 1 depot in Parañaque.

Other infrastructure

Signalling

The line uses a

The signalling system is set to be upgraded with the replacement of the system's communication link and the upgrading of the interlocking module. The project started on February 15, 2022.[79]

Tracks

The rails are 54-kilogram-per-meter (36 lb/ft) rails designed to the UIC 54 rail profile. The rails are supported by concrete plinths.^[4][80]

Plans and proposals

West extension

A 3.02-kilometer (1.88 mi) extension of the line to the Manila North Harbor in Tondo, Manila has been proposed. It was first announced in August 2006, when the LRTA announced its intention to extend the line eastward to Antipolo and westward to the Pier 4 of the Manila North Harbor.^[36] It was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on May 19, 2015. The construction of this extension would create three stations, one near the Tutuban PNR station, one in Divisoria, and one near the North Port Passenger Terminal in Manila North Harbor's Pier 4 which would serve as its terminus.^[81] In an interview, LRTA Administrator Ret. Gen. Reynaldo Berroya stated that they are aiming to finish the project by 2022 to 2023.

The total project cost is estimated to be ₱10.12 billion.^[82] In 2019, WESTRAX Joint Venture was awarded the contract for the consultancy services for the project.^[10]

In October 2019, the project was under bidding process, consisting 3 stations, Tutuban, Divisoria, and Pier 4, with the project scheduled to be completed by 2024.^[10]

On August 27, 2020, the Light Rail Transit Authority published the bidding documents for the design-and-build contract for the west extension. According to the documents, the turn back area after the Pier 4 station will have three tracks; two of which are the main tracks and one serves as a pocket track. The three stations will feature side platforms.^[77]

The project was originally planned to be funded through a

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also proposed for a second phase of the east extension to extend the line to Cogeo and downtown Antipolo. There are provisions at the end of the current rail line at Antipolo station for an extension. Two proposals were presented by JICA: a 3-kilometer (1.9 mi), one-station underground extension, and a 6-kilometer (3.7 mi), five-station extension, both originating from the Antipolo station.^[11] As of November 2022, the feasibility study is nearing its conclusion. The extension would have three stations and the alignment is still being finalized.^{[83] [84] [85]}

On May 29, 2023 the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and Korean consultants conducted a collaborative joint inspection together with the Antipolo local government unit to study the potential locations for the 3 stations to be construct as part of the LRT-2 Cogeo East extension project. The said joint inspection paved the way for the possibility of integrating the new stations with the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway.^[86]

Privatization

The privatization of the operations and maintenance of Line 2 was planned by the then-Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC; later the

In 2017, it was reported that the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation was interested in a possible auction for the privatization of the line.^[91] The plan to privatize the operations and maintenance of the line was restarted in October 2019, following a power trip that damaged two rectifiers.^[92] Since then, no new reports have surfaced about this plan as of 2021.

Capacity expansion and upgrade

Due to the aging of the line, a capacity expansion project for the line was announced in April 2022. The project would include upgrades to the trains, signalling, telecommunications, power supply, overhead systems, railway tracks, and other system equipment. The project is still under the stages of the procurement of a consultant for the project, which would assess the current condition of the line.^[93]

Like the west extension, the upgrading of the train cars would be funded through a public-private partnership scheme. The contract would also cover the maintenance of the line and the construction of the west extension.[82]

Incidents

2000s

• On July 12, 2006, at 7:30 AM, a lightning struck the power cables near the Santolan station, interrupting train operations.^[95]
• On August 15, 2006, at 8:45 AM, a lightning struck the power cables, which is the second incident reported in a month.^[95] Normal operations were restored before 12:00 noon.^[96]
• On May 20, 2008, at 6:45 PM, a lightning struck the line's power supply, interrupting operations.^[97]
• On July 23, 2008, a power interruption disrupted the line operations, leaving the Santolan-Cubao section only operational.^[98]

2010s

• On June 11, 2011, a man jumped in front of a moving train at the Araneta Center-Cubao station, leaving the man severely injured. This forced the line operations to be suspended.^[99][100]
• On May 9, 2017, at 4:03 PM, a tree fell to the tracks at the Anonas area, causing the line's operations to be disrupted and a 2000 class train nearby was hit. The Department of Public Works and Highways local office was doing roadworks at the site of the incident when they accidentally hit a tree that fell on the tracks. Partial operations between Recto and V. Mapa were implemented, until the line's operations were suspended an hour later. The incident area was cleared and full operations resumed at 7:41 PM.^[101]
• On May 30, 2018, a damaged cable between J. Ruiz and V. Mapa stations caused limited operations between Santolan and Araneta Center-Cubao stations at 11:46 AM. Normal operations resumed at 7:46 PM.^[102]
• On May 15, 2019, at 7:27 PM, an air pressure glitch halted the operations of Line 2. Operations resumed at 7:47 PM.^[103]
• On May 18, 2019, trainset no. 13 broke down between Anonas and Katipunan stations at 2:00 PM and was subsequently moved to the pocket track of Anonas waiting to be towed back to the depot. However at 9:15 PM, the train was reported to have moved on its own towards the eastbound track going towards Santolan station. At this time, trainset no. 18 was going towards Santolan station from Cubao station on the same track. The runaway train was reported via radio but eventually ran into train No. 13, injuring 34 passengers, with none in critical condition. The driver of one of the two trains was reported to have jumped out of his train before the collision, sustaining wounds and bruises.^[104][105] Revenue operations were suspended to give way to maintenance checks, and normal operations resumed at 10:47 AM the next day.^[106] Trainset no. 18 returned to service in June 2021,^[107] while Trainset no. 13 returned to service in September 2021.
• On October 2, 2019, at 9:43 am, a
  Araneta Center-Cubao stations to trip and disrupt the power supply. The operations of the line were suspended for safety checks and normal operations resumed at 10:11am.^[108]
• On October 3, 2019, another power trip caused rectifier substations located between Anonas and Katipunan stations and in the Santolan depot to catch fire at around 11 in the morning, cutting the line's power supply in the area. Line operations from Recto to Santolan were suspended at 11:24 am, and passengers were evacuated from the line with no injuries. The LRTA, MMDA and the Philippine Coast Guard immediately deployed shuttle buses to help ferry stranded passengers. Partial operations between Cubao and Recto stations resumed on October 8, 2019, while Santolan, Katipunan and Anonas Stations are expected to reopen after nine months. The initial estimated amount of damages is at around PHP428 million.[109] Due to the incident, the Light Rail Transit Authority claimed full operations would be back in 2 to 3 months.^[110] As the initial deadline was not met the three stations that were caught in a power trip were expected to resume services at the end of June 2020.^[111] However, this deadline was also not met due to delays brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, rescheduled for the first quarter of 2021.^[112] Finally, the three stations were reopened, albeit in partial speed, on January 22, 2021.^[37] The reopening was made possible by a temporary power supply system installed in the damaged portion while the proper systems are still on order and awaiting delivery.

2020s

• On October 8, 2020, a fire broke out in the electrical room at
  Santolan causing the operations to be suspended at 5:10am. The fire damaged the station's uninterruptible power supply. Normal operations returned a few hours later.^[113][114]
• On April 7, 2021, the operations of the LRT-2 were halted due to an unspecified "technical problem." Normal operations resumed at 10:50 AM.[115]
• On May 24, 2021, an unspecified technical problem at
  Santolan station limited the LRT-2 operations between Recto and Araneta Cubao stations. Full operations resumed the following day.^[116]
• On June 17, 2021, a technical problem at the line's control center halted the LRT-2 operations. Normal operations resumed at 4:59pm.[117]
• On August 16, 2021, operations were suspended between Cubao and Santolan due to an unspecified technical problem. Operations resumed at 4:20pm.^[118]
• On September 17, 2021, a defective catenary wire at the east extension area caused disruptions in operations. A shuttle service between Santolan and Antipolo was implemented at 9:43 AM. On the same day, the line's operations were briefly suspended at 11:36 AM after a tangled t-shirt was seen hanging at the contact wires between Cubao and Anonas stations. Operations with the shuttle service resumed at 11:49 AM, while full end-to-end operations were known to be resumed the following day.^[119]
• On October 9, 2021, an entangled balloon was discovered between V. Mapa and Pureza stations, causing the line's operations to be temporarily suspended. The operations resumed after 30 minutes.^[120]
• On November 3, 2021, operations of Line 2 were suspended at 6:00 AM due to a signalling system problem.^[121] Operations resumed at 7:57 AM.^[122]
• Multiple signalling system problems were reported on November 6,^[123] 14,^[124] and 25, 2021.^[125]
• On July 31, 2022, at 8:00 a.m., operations of Line 2 were limited from Cubao to Antipolo stations due to a broken catenary wire between Legarda and Pureza stations. Full operations resumed the following day at 5:00 a.m.^[126]
• On May 14, 2023, at 5:30 AM, operations of Line 2 were limited from V. Mapa to Antipolo stations due to a fire that broke out in the vicinity of Recto station,^[127] affecting the power supply and signalling system up to Pureza station. The fire was declared under control at 6:40 AM^[128] and line operations returned to normal at 1:15 PM.^[129]
• On January 12, 2024, Line 2 operations from Antipolo to Recto was halted by one hour due to technical problems with its power rectifier on the LRT-2 substation restored last 2019. ^[130] Normal operation service resumed after an hour.^[131]

Notes

References