Metro Manila, Philippines – Commuters will be unable to take the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) for three weekends this month to prepare for the connection of stations in the extended line.
The system’s operator, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), said the train line will be closed on Aug. 17-18, Aug. 24-25, and Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
The temporary suspension will give way to preparations for the opening of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1 in the last quarter, the LRMC said on Friday, Aug. 9.
The train management said around 200,000 commuters are affected per day if the LRT-1 is closed.
Five new stations under phase 1 of the extension – from Redemptorist-Aseana to Dr. Santos – will be merged with the existing line, which runs from Fernando Poe Jr. to Baclaran Stations.
Tests will be conducted to make sure the extended system is safe and reliable.
The LRMC advised commuters to take alternate modes of transportation in the next weekends of the month.
It said it has also coordinated with concerned agencies and local government units to assist commuters.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause to our passengers; however, we would like to assure that the temporary closures will result [in] long-term convenience once the extended LRT-1 line becomes operational. We are working diligently to complete this project as safely, efficiently, and quickly as possible,” said LRMC General Manager Enrico Benipayo in a statement.
As of May, the extension phase 1 is nearly finished.
NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.
