LRT Line 2

LRT Line 2
A LRTA 2000 class train approaching Araneta Center–Cubao station
Overview
Status	Operational
Owner	Department of Transportation – Light Rail Transit Authority
Line number	2
Locale	Metro Manila, Philippines
Termini	Antipolo Recto
Stations	13[1]
Website	Official website
Service
Type	Rapid transit / Heavy rail
System	Manila Light Rail Transit System
Services	1
Operator(s)	Light Rail Transit Authority
Depot(s)	Santolan
Rolling stock	LRTA 2000 class[1]
Daily ridership	33,267 (2021)[2]
Ridership	11,840,000 (2021)[2]
History
Opened	April 5, 2003; 18 years ago (2003-04-05)[1]
Last extension	July 5, 2021; 8 months ago (2021-07-05)[3]
Technical
Line length	17.59 km (10.93 mi)[2]
Number of tracks	Double-track
Character	Elevated Underground
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Loading gauge	4,300 mm × 3,354 mm (14 ft 1.3 in × 11 ft 0 in)[4]
Minimum radius	100–175 m (328–574 ft)
Electrification	1,500 V DC overhead lines
Operating speed	60–70 km/h (37–43 mph)
Signalling	Siemens FS2550 ATP 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 4 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

The Light Rail Transit Line 2, also known as LRT Line 2 (LRT-2), and previously MRT Line 2 (MRT-2) or Megatren,^[8] is a rapid transit line in Metro Manila in the Philippines, generally running in an east–west direction along the Radial Road 6 and a portion of the Circumferential Road 1.

Although the line is operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority, resulting in it being called as "LRT-2", it is actually a heavy rail, rapid transit system owing to its use of electric multiple units instead of the light rail vehicles used in earlier lines and is presently the only line utilizing such vehicles in the country until the opening of MRT Line 7 (MRT-7) in 2022 and the Metro Manila Subway (MMS) in 2025.^[8]

Envisioned in the 1970s as part of the Metropolitan Manila Strategic Mass Rail Transit Development Plan, the thirteen-station, 17.59-kilometer (10.93 mi)^[9] line was the third rapid transit line to be built in Metro Manila when it started operations in 2003. It is operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) under an official development assistance scheme.

Serving close to 200,000 passengers daily before the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the line is the least busy among Metro Manila's three rapid transit lines, and was built with standards such as barrier-free access and the use of magnetic card tickets to facilitate passenger access in mind. Total ridership however is significantly below^{[clarification needed]} the line's built maximum capacity, with various solutions being proposed or implemented to increase ridership in addition to the planned extensions to the line. However, the short-term solutions have had a minimal^{[clarification needed]} effect on ridership, and experts have insisted that the extensions be built immediately, despite pronouncements that the system is steadily increasing ridership each year. Regardless, the line encounters periods of peak ridership during rush hour in the morning and the evening.

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.

When the line's east extension to Antipolo, Rizal opened on July 5, 2021, Line 2 became the first rapid transit line extending outside the Metro Manila area.^[3]

Originally referred to as the Purple Line, LRT Line 2 was reclassified to be the Blue Line in 2012. Future plans include a three-station westbound extension in the City of Manila by 2024^[10] and another proposed eastbound extension from Antipolo station in Masinag towards Cogeo and downtown Antipolo.^[11]

History[]

Planning and early delays[]

During the construction of the first line of the Manila Light Rail Transit System in the early 1980s, Electrowatt Engineering Services of Zürich 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 City of Manila via Aurora Boulevard and Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard was carried out in 1988.^[12] The project was to be bid out as a build-operate-transfer project together with the LRT Line 1 capacity expansion project in 1989.^[12] Although sixteen firms were reported to have submitted bids for the line's construction,^[13] the bidding failed, causing delays.^[12] Another feasibility study was conducted in 1991 with financing from the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF). The final revised project was approved in 1995 as a separate project from the LRT-1 capacity expansion project.^[12]

Construction and opening[]

The LRT Line 2 project officially began in 1996, twelve years after the opening of Line 1, with the granting of the soft loans for the line's construction. The LRTA would have ownership of the system and assume all administrative functions, such as the regulation of fares and operations as well as the responsibility over construction and maintenance of the system and the procurement of spare parts for trains.

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,^[14] while the Hanjin-Itochu Joint Venture delivered packages 2 and 3 in which covers the substructure and the superstructure plus the stations respectively.^[15][16]

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.^[17] In 2000, Package 4 was awarded to the Asia-Europe MRT Consortium (AEMC), a consortium of local and foreign companies led by Marubeni Corporation and composed of Balfour Beatty, Toshiba, Daewoo Heavy Industries, and a local company which was D.M. Consuji Incorporated (DMCI).^[18][19] AEMC, through Marubeni Corporation, entered into a contract with Singapore Technologies Engineering to supply and install the communication system, fare system, and other electronic systems.^[20] The consortium provided the 18 four-car trainsets built by Rotem and Toshiba.

During construction, the LRTA oversaw all the design, construction, equipping, testing, commissioning, and technical supervision of the project activities. 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][21]

On April 5, 2003, the initial section, from Santolan to Araneta Center-Cubao was inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.^[21] In December 2003, a test run from Araneta Center-Cubao to V. Mapa with passengers was conducted. Due to the absence of seamless interconnection between the initial section and the section beyond Araneta Center-Cubao, westbound passengers alighted at Cubao station before riding a train to V. Mapa. An estimated 3,000 passengers took the ride during the three-day test run.^[22] All remaining stations opening on April 5, 2004,^[21] except for Recto which opened on October 29, 2004.^[23][24] However, ridership was initially moderate yet still far below expectations, since the passenger volume in this line is not yet fully achieved.

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 extended 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.^[25] The extension was first approved by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in October 2003.^[26][27]

The Light Rail Transit Authority secured funds for the project from Philippine banks in May 2011.^[28] In October 2011, the Japan International Cooperation Agency released a feasibility study report for the project.^[4] The extension, starting from the eastern terminus of Santolan Station up to Antipolo station in Antipolo, calls for two additional stations, Marikina station in Barangay San Roque, Marikina near Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall; and Antipolo station, in Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo near SM City Masinag. The ₱9.7 billion project, at its current form, was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority chaired by then-President Benigno Aquino III on September 4, 2012.^[29] The civil works packages was funded by the Philippine government, while the electro-mechanical system package was funded by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency as part of its Capacity Enhancement of Mass Transit Systems in Metro Manila Project, wherein JICA allotted ¥43.2 billion for various extension and capacity expansion projects of railway lines in Metro Manila.^[30][31]

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 9, 2015.^[32] Package 1 was delivered by D.M. Consunji Incorporated (DMCI) which covers the construction of the viaduct and was completed in 2017.^[33] Meanwhile, Package 2 was also delivered by DMCI which covers the design and construction of the two additional stations,^[34] and Package 3, delivered by the Marubeni-DMCI consortium covers the design and build of electro-mechanical system of the railway.^[35]

The groundbreaking for the construction of the two stations was held on May 30, 2017.^[34] The installation of the railway track and electro-mechanical system, meanwhile, commenced on April 16, 2019.^[36] The project aims to accommodate an additional 80,000 passengers and reduce traffic congestion along Marcos Highway.^[37]

During construction, on March 10, 2017, a truck slammed in a concrete post of the east extension viaduct, causing one fatality and two injuries.^[38]

Unlike the original line which used the pre-casting segmental method of construction, the east extension viaduct made use of AASHTO girders with a deck slab above the girders.^[4]

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 the extension's opening. As such, the extension was initially set to be inaugurated on April 26, 2021^[39] and was expected to begin operations the following day,^[40] however, the opening day was delayed twice due to increased COVID-19 case spikes since March 2021^[41] and to give time for work completion brought by technical considerations in integrating the two new stations to the railway's existing systems since June 2021.^[42]

After series of delays in the extension's opening, the 3.79-kilometer (2.35 mi)^[2] east extension was inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 1, 2021. The extension opened four days later, on July 5, 2021.^[3][43] The Department of Transportation and Light Rail Transit Authority offered free rides for the East Extension stations until July 18, 2021.^[30] From July 5 to September 2, 2021, a temporary shuttle service was implemented between Santolan and Antipolo stations due to ongoing integration works of the signalling system at that time.^[44][45] However, on the opening day of the extension, various inconveniences were reported by passengers along the extension. There was only one shuttle train servicing passengers in the east extension, causing waiting times that can reach as long as 20 to 30 minutes. The passengers also cited the lack of trains in the line.^[46] Seamless end-to-end train services between Antipolo and Recto stations and vice versa begun on September 3, 2021, after integration works were completed.^[a]

Route[]

The rail line serves the cities that Radial Road 6 (Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Legarda Street and Recto Avenue) passes through: Manila, San Juan, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig (depot), and Antipolo. The rails are mostly elevated and erected either over or along the roads covered, with sections below ground before and after the Katipunan station, the only underground station on the line.

Stations[]

The line serves 13 stations along its 17.59-kilometer (10.93 mi) route.^[2] The western terminus of the line is the Recto station at Recto Avenue, while the eastern terminus of the line is the Antipolo station along Marcos Highway.

Three stations serve as interchanges between other lines in the metro. Pureza station is within walking distance to the Santa Mesa station of the PNR Metro Commuter Line; Araneta Center-Cubao station 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 station 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.

Name	Distance (km)		Rail/Bus Transfers	Location
	Between stations	From Antipolo
Antipolo	—	0.000	9  Masinag	Antipolo, Rizal
Marikina–Pasig	2.232	2.232	9  Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall	Marikina
Santolan	1.795	4.027	BFCT East Metro Manila Transport Terminal  9  SM City Marikina	Marikina (station) Pasig (depot)
Katipunan	1.970	5.997	8  9  Katipunan	Quezon City
Anonas	0.955	6.952	MMS   8  9  Anonas
Araneta Center-Cubao	1.438	8.390	3 Araneta Center-Cubao  8  9  10  Araneta Center-Cubao
Betty Go-Belmonte	1.164	9.554	10  Betty Go-Belmonte
Gilmore	1.075	10.629	10  11  Gilmore
J. Ruiz	0.928	11.557	10  J. Ruiz	San Juan
V. Mapa	1.234	12.791	10  V. Mapa	Manila
Pureza	1.357	14.148	Santa Mesa  10  Pureza
Legarda	1.389	15.537	10  Legarda
Recto	1.050	16.587	Doroteo Jose  10  Recto
Tutuban	—	—	NSCR  Tutuban
Divisoria	—	—	none
Pier 4	—	—	⛴ North Port Passenger Terminal  2  Recto Avenue
Stations and train systems in italics are either under construction or proposed.

Operations and services[]

The line currently runs from 5:00 a.m. PST (UTC+8) until 9:00 p.m. on a daily basis.^[47] It operates almost every day of the year unless otherwise announced. Special schedules are announced via the PA system at every station and also in newspapers and other mass media. During Holy Week, a public holiday in the Philippines, the rail system is closed for annual maintenance, owing to fewer commuters and traffic around the metro. Normal operation resumes on Monday.^[49] During the Christmas and year-end holidays, the operating hours of the line are modified and shortened, due to the low ridership of the line during the holidays.^[50]

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 stairs, escalators and elevators leading down to the platform level. The levels are separated by fare gates.

The concourse contains ticket booths. Some stations, such as Araneta Center-Cubao, are connected at concourse level to nearby buildings, such as shopping malls, for easier accessibility.

Stations either have island platforms, such as Santolan, or side platforms, such as Gilmore and Recto. Part of the platform at the front of the train is cordoned off for the use of pregnant women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities. At side-platform stations, passengers are able to switch platforms at the concourse level without leaving the closed system, while passengers can easily switch sides at stations with island platforms. Stations have toilets at the concourse level, both inside and outside the closed system.

All stations are barrier-free inside and outside the station, and trains have spaces for passengers using wheelchairs. However, by 2021, a lot of elevators and escalators were not operational and a few of them remain operational due to anomalies and corruption involving the procurement contracts,^[51][52] causing complaints from passengers.^[9] These elevators and escalators were since repaired and restored by January 2022.^[53]

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.

Safety and security[]

The line has always presented itself as a safe system to travel in, which was affirmed in a 2004 World Bank paper prepared by Halcrow describing the overall state of metro rail transit operations in Manila as being "good".^[12]

With an estimated pre-pandemic daily ridership of 200,000 passengers, and a current weekday ridership of 50,000 passengers, the line operates significantly below its designed capacity of between 570,000 and 580,000 passengers per day. Operating under capacity since 2004,^[54] 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.^[55]

For safety and security reasons, persons who are visibly intoxicated, insane and/or under the influence of controlled substances, persons carrying flammable materials and/or explosives, persons carrying bulky objects or items over 1.5 meters (4 ft 11 in) tall and/or wide, and persons bringing pets and/or other animals are prohibited from entering the line. Products in tin cans are also prohibited, citing the possibility of home-made bombs being concealed inside the cans.^[56]

In response to the Rizal Day bombings and the September 11 attacks, security has been stepped up on board. The Philippine National Police has a special police force,^[57] and security police provided by private companies can be found in all stations. All stations have a head guard. Some stations may also have a deployed K9 bomb-sniffing dog. The line also employs the use of closed-circuit television inside all stations to monitor suspicious activities and to assure safety and security aboard the line. Passengers are also advised to look out for thieves, who can take advantage of the crowding aboard the trains. Wanted posters are posted at all stations to help commuters identify known thieves.

COVID-19 response[]

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, operations of the line, along with other railway lines and forms of public transportation were suspended on March 17, 2020 due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.^[58] After lengthy and multiple extensions of the lockdown, public transportation along with the LRT Line 2 and the three other railway lines in the Philippines resumed operations on June 1, 2020, when Metro Manila was placed under General Community Quarantine.^[59]

With the implementation of a second lockdown (Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine) in Metro Manila, railway operations were again suspended on August 4 amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila. Operations resumed on August 19 when lockdown restrictions were eased.^[60]

Since 2020, talking with other passengers and answering phone calls has been prohibited in the line. The policy has also been implemented in all railway lines and forms of public transport.^[61]

From June to October 2020, railway lines implemented a limit of 10 to 12% of the train's capacity.^[59] In October 2020, the capacity for railway lines were increased to 30%.^[62] In November 2021, the capacity on trains were increased to 70%.^[63]

In January 2022, amid the surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines due to the Omicron variant, the Department of Transportation implemented a "no vaccine, no ride" policy, which is implemented when a place is under Alert Level 3 and up. This policy allows only vaccinated passengers with vaccination cards to ride public transport.^[64] The policy however has drawn criticism from commmuters.^[65]

Since March 1, 2022, all railway lines, including the LRT Line 2 are operating at a full capacity due to the deescalation of Metro Manila to the lowest of the five levels of the alert level system.^[66]

Ridership[]

Even the line is designed to carry more than 500,000 passengers daily, it currently operates at a limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. 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,^[2] with eight 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.^[67]

Statistics[]

Year	Daily Average[68]	Yearly Total[68]
2004	61,337	23,030,000
2005	116,082	41,900,000
2006	132,154	47,570,000
2007	147,032	52,930,000
2008	161,846	58,590,000
2009	171,996	62,090,000
2010	175,501	63,360,000
2011	176,818	63,810,000
2012	194,268	70,330,000
2013	197,924	71,450,000
2014	201,794	72,850,000
2015	172,318	62,210,000
2016	185,071	67,000,000
2017	182,708	65,960,000
2018[69]	177,260	64,700,000
2019[70]	156,110	56,980,000
2020[2]	45,463	12,500,000
2021[2]	33,267	11,840,000

Fares and ticketing[]

The line, like all existing lines in Metro Manila, uses a distance-based fare structure, with fares ranging from fifteen to thirty pesos (34 to 60 U.S. cents), depending on the destination. Commuters who ride the line are charged ₱15 for the first three stations, ₱20 for 4–7 stations, ₱25 for 8–10 stations and ₱30 for 11–12 stations or the entire line.^[71] Children below 1.02 meters (3 ft 4 in) (the height of a fare gate) may ride for free.

Fares are free of charge every March 8 (International Women's Day; free rides exclusive for women),^[72] June 12 (Independence Day),^[73][74] and December 30 (Rizal Day) on limited time slots.^[75] The line also used to offer free rides to students starting July 1, 2019,^[76] but students must register to avail a student pass.^[77] However, the free rides for students stopped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^{[citation needed]}

Types of tickets[]

Four types of tickets exist: a single-journey (one-way) ticket whose cost is dependent on the destination, a stored-value (multiple-use) ticket for 100 pesos, a discounted stored value ticket (multiple-use) which can only be availed by senior citizens and disabled persons, and a single journey ticket for employees (one-way) which is exclusive for LRTA employees only. The single-journey ticket and the single journey ticket for employees is valid only on the date of purchase. Meanwhile, the stored-value ticket and the discounted stored-value ticket is valid for four years from date of purchase.

Tickets come in four incarnations: one bearing the portrait of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which have since been phased out, although some tickets have been recycled due to ticket shortages, one with the Line 1 third generation train inauguration together with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one with the LRT-MRT closing the loop project design with Gloria Macapagal Arroyo again in the picture, and one with a picture of the Hyundai Rotem EMUs used in the line which featured different designs for the single journey and stored value tickets with the former having a picture of the train unloading, while the latter is a flipped concept art of the train.

In the past, Line 3 borrowed tickets from LRTA rather than recycling the old "Erap tickets", due to the same ticket shortages.^[78]

Despite the common practice for regular passengers to purchase several stored-value tickets at a time, the line barely has ticket shortages due to the inter-compatibility of tickets with the LRTA lines and the steady release of new tickets that addresses the problem.

Although the LRTA, together with Line 3 has experimented with the Flash Pass as an alternative ticketing system in the past, this was phased out in 2009.

On July 20, 2015, a new ticketing system called Beep was introduced. The Beep is a new contactless smart card to replace the old Magnetic Cards, starting on the Legarda Station as a trial station. And targeted to be used on all train system by September 2015. The new Beep has two types of card: the Single Journey Ticket (SJT) and the Stored Value Ticket (SVT) where the SVT will last for 4 years rather than the old Magnetic card which last for 3 months. The Stored Value Ticket can be bought at any stations or at the Ticket Vending Machines, that the card alone will cost for ₱20 and can be loaded ₱12 up to the maximum limit of ₱10,000.

Fare adjustment[]

Adjusting passenger fares has been employed by the LRTA as a means to boost flagging ridership figures, and the issue of fares both historically and in the present continues to be a political issue.

Current fare levels were set on July 19, 2021, two weeks after the east extension opened.^[79] Previously, the fare levels prior to the east extension opening was set on January 4, 2015, which has been delayed for several years despite inflation and rising operating costs.^[80] Before the 2015 fare adjustment of LRT and MRT, the fare levels for LRT Line 2 were set in April 2004 under the orders of President Arroyo, meant to become competitive against other modes of transport which resulted in a drastic increase in the ridership after lower fares were implemented. These lower fares—which are only slightly more expensive than jeepney fares—are financed through large government subsidies amounting to around ₱45 per passenger,^[81] and which for both the MRTC and the LRTA reached ₱75 billion between 2004 and 2014. Without subsidies, the cost of a single trip is estimated at around ₱60.^[81]

Rolling stock[]

The line runs heavy rail vehicles made in South Korea by Hyundai Rotem powered by Toshiba made VVVF inverters in a four-car configuration. The trains came in together with the fourth package during the system's construction. Trains have a capacity of 1,628 passengers, which is more than the normal capacity of the rolling stock of Lines 1 and 3. The trains are capable to run at a maximum design speed of 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph), but only run at a maximum operational speed of 60 to 70 kilometers per hour (37 to 43 mph), though a portion of the line has an operational speed of 30 kilometers per hour (19 mph).

Trains in the line prominently use wrap advertising.

In 2017, the entire train fleet was retrofitted with the TUBE (formerly known as PARDS), a passenger information system powered by LCD screens installed near the ceiling of the train that shows news, advertisements, current train location, arrivals and station layouts.^[82]

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.^[83]

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.^[84] The purchase however was delayed to 2022.^[85]

Included in the design-and-build contract of the west extension is the procurement of five four-car train sets.^[86]

Rolling stock	First-generation[87][4][88]	Second-generation[86]
Image
Year	2003	2023–2025
Manufacturers	Hyundai Rotem / Toshiba	TBD
Model	2000 class	TBD
Number built (cars)	72 built (32 cars in service,[89] 40 cars out of service)	56 to be built (14 sets)[85]
Train length	93,200 mm (305 ft 9 in)
Car length	23,300 mm (76 ft 5 in) (22,500 mm (73 ft 10 in) without couplers)
Width	3,200 mm (10 ft 6 in)
Height (pantograph lowered)	4,100 mm (13 ft 5 in)
Floor height	1,100 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Platform height	1,100 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Body material	Stainless steel and LAHT steel
Ventilation	Roof-mounted air-conditioning units
Tare weight	41,000 kg (90,000 lb) in head cars, 39,050 kg (86,090 lb) in intermediate cars
Axle load	16,850 kg (37,150 lb)
Maximum gradient	5%
Configuration	Mc-M-M-Mc
Capacity	1,628 passengers (232 seated, 1,396 standing at 7 passengers per m2)[4]
Doors	1,400 mm (4 ft 7 in) wide; pocket-type; 5-doors/side
Drive unit	Gear coupling (WN) Drive
Traction control	IGBT-VVVF
Traction motor	120 kW (160 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Traction power	1,500 V OCS; single-arm pantograph
Top speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Status	In service	To be ordered

Depot[]

The line maintains an at-grade depot in Barangay Santolan in Pasig, near Santolan station in the side of Barangay Calumpang in Marikina. It serves as the headquarters for light and heavy maintenance of the line. It is connected to the mainline network by a spur 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.^[88]

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

Electro-mechanical systems[]

Signalling[]

The line has a fixed block track circuit-based system with automatic train control (ATC), which has three subsystems: automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO), and Rail9000 automatic train supervision (ATS). The ATO subsystem automatically drives the trains, while the opening and closing of doors is controlled by an onboard train attendant. The ATP system, meanwhile, maintains safe operations and monitors the train's speed. Lastly, the Rail9000 ATS system is located at the operations control center at the line's Santolan Depot, which directs train operations and monitors the train movement along the line.^[5] Other components of the signalling system includes train detection and Westrace MK1 computer-based interlocking.^[7][88]

Based on bidding documents published in 2020, the signalling equipment were manufactured by Invensys Rail, through Dimetronic S. A., and Westinghouse Signals. Both Invensys and Westinghouse Rail Systems became part of Siemens Mobility after its acquisition by Siemens in 2013.^[6]

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.^[90]

Tracks[]

The line is mostly double-track except some sections of the line with pocket tracks, particularly near Anonas station and V. Mapa station. The tracks comprise of standard gauge tracks. The rails are designed to the UIC54 rail profile, supported by concrete plinths.^[4] The rails have a weight of 54.43 kilograms per meter (109.7 lb/yd).^[91]

Power and overhead systems[]

34.5 kilovolts of alternating current power from Meralco is supplied to six rectifier switching substations along the mainline and a workshop switching station in the depot. The power stations then convert the 34.5-kilovolt power supply to 1,500 volts of direct current power for the overhead lines.^[5] The overhead lines consist of a single 137 mm² (0.212 sq in) contact wire supported by a single 240 mm² (0.37 sq in) messenger wire in the mainline.^[92]

The overhead lines in the original 13.8-kilometer (8.6 mi) section are anchored on vertical catenary center poles. In the 3.79-kilometer (2.35 mi) east extension, the poles are mounted on the sides.^[4]

Plans and proposals[]

West extension[]

A 3.02-kilometer (1.88 mi) west extension of the line to the Manila North Harbor in Tondo, Manila has been proposed. It was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on May 19, 2015. The construction of this said 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.^[93] In an interview, LRTA Administrator Ret. Gen. Reynaldo Berroya stated that they are aiming to finish the project by 2022 to 2023.

Civil works, trackworks, electromechanical system (EMS), and rolling stock of the Line 2 West Extension is projected to begin by the second quarter of 2020^{[needs update]} and end by the second quarter of 2023. The total project cost is estimated to be ₱10.1 billion, inclusive of consultancy services. 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, with two for the main tracks and one as a pocket track. The three stations will now feature side platforms.^[86]

East extension Phase II[]

The Japan International Cooperation Agency has also proposed to extend the line into Cogeo and downtown Antipolo, and there are provisions at the end of the current railway for an extension.^[11]

Privatization[]

The privatization of the operations and maintenance of Line 2 was planned by the then-Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC; later the Department of Transportation as part of the agency's improvement and modernization of the railway lines in the Philippines. The bidding process for this project begun on September 13, 2014.^[94] In this project, the interested companies were required to submit pre-qualification documents and submit a bid proposal if the company is qualified for the bidding. In January 2015, four companies submitted pre-qualification documents for the project. The bidders included Aboitiz Equity Ventures with SMRT Transport Solutions (Aboitiz Equity Ventures and SMRT International Pte Ltd. through SMRT Trains),^[95], DMCI Holdings with Tokyo Metro, Light Rail Manila 2 Consortium (RATP and Metro Pacific),^[96] and San Miguel Corporation with Korea Railroad Corporation. All groups qualified for the project.^[97] However, the project would eventually be shelved in 2016.

In 2017, it was reported that the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation was interested in a possible auction for the privatization of the line.^[98] The plan to privatize the operations and maintenance of the line was restarted in October 2019, following a power trip that damaged two rectifiers.^[99] Since then, no new reports have surfaced about this plan as of 2021.

Incidents[]

2000s[]

• On July 12, 2006, at 7:30 AM, a lightning struck the power cables near the Santolan station, interrupting train operations.^[100]
• On August 15, 2006, at 8:45 AM, a lightning struck the power cables, which is the second incident reported in a month.^[100] Normal operations were restored before 12:00 noon.^[101]
• On May 20, 2008, at 6:45 PM, a lightning struck the line's power supply, interrupting operations.^[102]
• On July 23, 2008, a power interruption disrupted the line operations, leaving the Santolan-Cubao section only operational.^[103]

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.^[104][105]
• 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.^[106]
• 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.^[107]
• On May 15, 2019, at 7:27 PM, an air pressure glitch halted the operations of Line 2. Operations resumed at 7:47 PM.^[108]
• 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.^[109][110] Revenue operations were suspended to give way to maintenance checks, and normal operations resumed at 10:47 AM the next day.^[111] Trainset no. 18 returned to service in June 2021,^[112] while Trainset no. 13 returned to service in September 2021.
• On October 2, 2019, at 9:43 am, a lightning struck the Gilmore station, causing the power transformers at the J. Ruiz and 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.^[113]
• 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.^[114] Due to the incident, the Light Rail Transit Authority claimed full operations would be back in 2 to 3 months.^[115] 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.^[116] However, this deadline was also not met due to delays brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, rescheduled for the first quarter of 2021.^[117] 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[]

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• 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.^[118][119]
• 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.^[120]
• 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.^[121]
• On June 17, 2021, a technical problem at the line's control center halted the LRT-2 operations. Normal operations resumed at 4:59pm.^[122]
• Multiple incidents were reported on July 11,^[123] July 15,^[124] July 18,^[125] and August 16, 2021.^[126] The incidents on July 11, 18, and August 16, 2021 were caused by technical problems.^{[123][125][126]}
• 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.^[127]
• 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.^[128]
• On October 30, 2021, at 1:09 PM, a provisional service was implemented between Santolan and Recto stations due to a signaling problem at Antipolo station.^[129] Normal operations resumed at 6:45 PM.^[130]
• On October 31, 2021, an unspecified technical problem halted the operations of Line 2. Operations resumed at 10:47 AM.^[131]
• On November 3, 2021, operations of Line 2 were suspended at 6:00 AM due to a signalling system problem.^[132] Operations resumed at 7:57 AM.^[133]
• On November 4, 2021, operations of Line 2 were suspended at 8:53 AM due to an unauthorized individual at Katipunan tunnel.^[134] Operations resumed at 9:25 AM.
• Multiple signalling system problems were reported on November 6, 14,^[135][136] and 25, 2021.^[137]

Notes[]

References[]

External links[]

• Official LRTA website on LRT Line 2