The Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 will temporarily suspend operations for three weekends this August as part of efforts to accelerate preparations for the upcoming opening of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1. The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) announced on Friday, August 9, signaling a significant step forward in the project aimed at improving the transportation network in Metro Manila and Cavite.
The temporary suspension will affect the weekends of August 17-18, August 24-25, and August 31-September 1. During these periods, no commercial train services will be available from the Fernando Poe Jr. (formerly Roosevelt) Station to Baclaran Station. The LRMC emphasized that these closures, while inconvenient in the short term, are necessary to ensure the long-term success and reliability of the extended LRT-1 line.
In its official statement, LRMC encouraged commuters to plan their trips and make use of alternative transport options. To mitigate the impact of the suspension, the LRMC has coordinated with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to provide additional buses to cover the affected routes.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, LTFRB Chair Teofilo Guadiz confirmed that 38 buses have been prepared to service the routes affected by the LRT-1 suspension. “Handa na po kami, nandyan na po yung mga units na gagamitin nitong mga weekends. Meron na po kaming mga dinesignate na mga buses sa mga areas na hindi tatakbo ang LRT ng ilang araw para kami naman yung pupuno sa mga hindi magampanan ng LRT,” Guadiz assured.
The LRT-1 Cavite Extension Phase 1 project, which is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2024, will add five new stations spanning over six kilometers within Parañaque City. These stations include Redemptorist-ASEANA, MIA, PITX Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos. The extension is expected to significantly enhance the transportation network by providing a direct link from Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque to Bacoor, Cavite.
Once fully operational, the extended LRT-1 line is projected to serve up to 800,000 passengers per day, easing the daily commute for thousands of residents. The entire extension project is slated for completion by 2031, further solidifying its role as a crucial component of Metro Manila’s public transportation system.