FYI: Shortened LRT-2 operating hours on Dec. 24 and 31

Heads-up, holiday commuters!

Operator Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced in a December 2022 press statement that it will implement reduced operating hours on the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

For December 24, 2022, the last trip to Recto station will be at 8 p.m., while the last trip to Antipolo station will be at 8:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, commuters taking the LRT-2 on December 31, 2022 can take the last trip to Recto at 7 p.m. and the last trip to Antipolo at 7:30 p.m.

“Ang mas maiksing operating hours ay dahil na rin sa inaasahang mas mababang bilang ng mga pasahero sa mga naturang okasyon,” the LRTA said.

[Translation: The shortened operating hours are because of the expected reduction in the number of passengers during these dates.]

“Layunin din nito na mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga frontline personnel ng LRT-2 na makapagdiwang kasama ang kani-kanilang pamilya ngayong holiday season,” the agency said.

[Translation: The move will also give LRT-2 frontline personnel the chance to celebrate the holiday season with their families.]

The LRTA said it will implement the regular operating hours of 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at all stations on December 25, 2022 (Christmas Day) and January 1, 2023 (New Year’s Day).

“Patuloy rin na ipatutupad ng LRTA ang "No Inspection, No Entry" Policy sa mga dalang gamit ng lahat ng pasahero lalo na sa gift-wrapped items,” the agency said.

[Translation: The LRTA will continue to implement the “No Inspection, No Entry” Policy for all things brought by passengers, especially gift-wrapped items.]

Nearly two decades of service

The LRT-2 is the younger sibling of the LRT-1, which started operations in 1984.

The newer train line opened in 2003 and has 13 stations that run through the City of Manila, Quezon City, Marikina City, Pasig City, San Juan City and Antipolo City in Rizal province.

The government plans to open three more stations in Manila and three additional stations in Rizal.

Unlike the LRT-1, which is operated by a private consortium, the LRT-2 is owned and operated by the government through the LRTA, which is an attached agency of the Department of Transportation.

Have you set your travel plans for the holidays?