Commuters using the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in the Santolan, Katipunan, and Anonas stations would have to plan ahead for alternative transportation.
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has announced on Friday that operations of LRT-2 in the said stations will remain suspended for at least 9 months following the fire incident that hit one of the train’s power transformers.
The 9-month period was based on assessment of the technical personnel, Lawyer Hernando Cabrera, LRTA spokesperson, said in a report by ABS-CBN News.
The station in Santolan is a commuter’s gateway to Marcos Highway, SM Marikina, and Metro East Mall. The Katipunan station is a get-off point for students of major universities like Ateneo De Manila, Miriam College, and University of the Philippines Diliman.
The Anonas station, on the other hand, is gateway to some hospitals and other academic institutions like the Technological Institute of the Philippines and the National College of Business and Arts.
As early as Thursday, thousands of passengers were already forced to find alternative modes of transport.
In a statement posted on their official Facebook account, LRTA announced that public utility vehicles (PUVs) will be made available to ferry affected passengers from Santolan to Cubao vice versa starting Monday, Oct. 7.
LRTA Administrator Gen. Reynaldo I Berroya said LRTA has coordinated with DOTr, MMDA and LTFRB for the fielding of PUVs along Marcos Highway and Aurora Boulevard while operation of the LRT -2 from Santolan to Anonas is still suspended.
These PUVs will be provided by the MMDA from 7am to 7pm.
Berroya said fares will range from P12 to P15, which are comparable to the train fare from Cubao to Santolan.
He also clarified that while arrangements for UV express vans to ply an out-of-line route from Santolan to Cubao and vice versa was requested, it did not materialize as a special permit for this was not granted by the LTFRB. This is contrary to reports that LTFRB has already granted them a special franchise to operate in the area.
Berroya requested for public indulgence as he assured that LRTA will do its best to restore the full operation of the LRT 2 at the soonest possible time.
Meanwhile, LRT-2 stations in Cubao to Recto and vice versa will resume next week, according to LRTA public relations manager Lyn Janeo.
