The two additional stations of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) which extends the rail line further to Antipolo will finally start operation next week, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade announced.

“Yung LRT-2 East Extension Project—ito yung ruta na dadaan sa Marikina, Pasig, at Antipolo—ilang taon nang hinihintay ito. (The LRT-2 East Extension Project—this is the route that will pass through Marikina, Pasig, and Antipolo—we have been waiting for this for several years). Next week, June 22, we will actually inaugurate that portion,” Tugade said during the progress update on the Build, Build, Build briefing on Friday, June 18.

According to Tugade, the two new stations—the Marikina Station (in front of the Sta. Lucia mall and Robinsons) and the Antipolo Station (in front of SM Masinag)—will immediately start its full operations the next day, June 23.

https://www.facebook.com/junynaresofficial/posts/1177202456087941

The East Extension Project adds four kilometers to the 13.8-kilometer LRT-2 train line which previously runs from Recto Avenue in Manila to Santolan Station in Marikina.

Based on the fare matrix released by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), operator of the LRT-2, train ride from Recto Terminal Station to Marikina and Antipolo stations will cost P30 for single journey tickets, while P26 and P28 for stored-value cards, respectively.

Here are the approved fares for the LRT-2 with East Extension stations:

LRT 2 Fare Matrix
Here is the full fare matrix for the LRT Line 2 with the East Extension stations. (Photo from the Light Rail Transit Authority)

The launching of the East Extension project was initially scheduled last April 26 but was deferred due to the high number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among LRT-2 personnel and the enforcement of quarantine restrictions.

With the completion of the project, travel time from Recto to Antipolo is expected to significantly drop to about 40 minutes from the usual three hours via bus or jeepney.

This will also accommodate an additional 80,000 passengers daily, boosting the entire rail line’s current daily ridership to 240,000 passengers.

Published June 19, 2021, 12:21 PM
by Alexandria Dennise San Juan