The east extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 will be opened to the public on Monday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Thursday.
According to Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, the government has completed all necessary works for the extended railway line, which added two new stations: Marikina-Pasig Station and Antipolo Station.
“Once operational, the LRT-2 East Extension Project will reduce travel time from Claro M. Recto in Manila to Masinag in Antipolo from 3 hours via bus or jeepney, to just 30 to 40 minutes,” he said.
Starting Monday, the rail line’s average daily passenger capacity will be increased from 240,000 passengers to 320,000 passengers.
“Further, the completion of the LRT-2 East Extension Project is expected to help reduce traffic congestion along Marcos Highway, especially in Marikina, Pasig and Antipolo given that road transport passengers will be redirected to riding the train,” Tugade said.
During its construction phase, which started in February 2017, “at least 1,800 jobs were generated.”
“The DOTr also projects that 170 rail personnel will be employed to work in the two new stations,” Tugade said.
In total, the construction of the two new stations, including their electromechanical system requirements, amounted to P4.5 billion.
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said the opening of the LRT-2 East Extension was postponed to give the contractor more time to complete the signaling migration and integration works, and other preparatory activities.