The Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) announced Tuesday it will extend its weekday operating hours starting March 26 to improve commuter convenience.
According to its advisory, the last train will depart from Dr. Santos station in Parañaque City at 10:30 p.m., while the final train from Fernando Poe Jr. station in Quezon City will leave at 10:45 p.m.
From Monday to Friday, the first train leaves Dr. Santos and Fernando Poe Jr. stations at 4:30 a.m., while weekend and holiday services begin at 5 a.m. LRT-1 is the second rail line to extend its evening schedule, following the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), which implemented the same adjustment on Monday.
The decision to extend operating hours came after Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon inspected MRT-3 last week and urged railway management to accommodate more passengers. LRT-1 spans 26 kilometers and serves 25 stations from Baclaran to Fernando Poe Jr. station.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported minimal impact from the transport strike conducted by the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) group.
The agency stated that it did not deploy any assets or rescue vehicles assigned to assist passengers on Monday, as the strike failed to paralyze the transport system in the National Capital Region.
“The MMDA did not dispatch Libreng Sakay. The transport strike causes no impact,” MMDA chief information officer Sharon Gentalian said,
MMDA chairman Don Artes said a single dispatch system for rescue assets was put in place at the MMDA Command Center, with buses and vehicles marked “Libreng Sakay” on standby for deployment if needed between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Artes explained that many jeepney drivers did not join the protest, making widespread deployment unnecessary. “Again, we’re not deploying our assets because many jeepney drivers did not join the strike,” he said, adding that deployment would result in drivers losing income. “That’s why we have a single dispatch system, and we will only send out buses when necessary.”
The Road Emergency Operations at the MMDA Communications and Command Center is monitoring the strike’s second day through CCTV cameras, noting protesters in various locations. Chairman Artes assured that stranded passengers would have access to transportation, with rescue vehicles on standby.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “LRT-1 extends weekday operating hours beginning March 26.”