Finally, folks from the east of the metro can now commute with ease.
That’s because, on Friday, January 22, the Anonas, Katipunan, and Santolan stations of the LRT-2 has finally resumed operations. This comes 16 months after a fire caused by a tripped power rectifier caused a fire that damaged power supply transformers and train tracks near Anonas station in October 2019.
“We will resume whole line operations with limitations and restrictions while the full restorations and repairs of the fire-damaged Rectifier Substation Nos 5 and 6, signaling and telecommunications are simultaneously being undertaken,” Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Reynaldo Berroya said on Thursday.
The restoration, however, is provisional. Berroya advised passengers to allot more time to their commute as the trains will only travel under a 30kph speed restriction as they approach the newly reopened stations. This will result in a headway between train arrivals of around 15 minutes, or about 35 minutes if you’re traveling from end to end, or Santolan to Recto and vice versa.
The reopening of the three station meets the LRT’s schedule last November to accomplish provisional repairs by January. On Thursday, the LRTA shared a short 17-second video to ensure that the provisional power supply was up and ready for the resumption of train services to the general public.
The LRTA is also keen to remind passengers that minimum health protocols will also be in effect inside these three easternmost stations.
The first commercial train trip will set off from Santolan station at 5 AM, while the last will leave at 8:30 PM.
Will the reopening of these three stations make a difference to your commute?
