LRT 2 East Extension is Now Open, Commuters to Receive 2-Week Free Ride
LRT 2 East Extension is now open to the public and a two-week free ride for commuters from Santolan to Antipolo (vice versa) has been approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Last week, President Rodrigo Duturte and DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade graced the inauguration of LRT-2 East Extension. According to Sec. Tugade, the president requested him to wave the fees for commuters at least two weeks upon its opening today, in which he gladly supported the proposal.
President Duturte and DOTr Secretary Tugade/IMAGE from Department of Transportation Facebook Page
The President also commended Tugade and the rest of the team involved in the project for their non-stop work despite the pandemic.
“Your efforts and determination show that the government stops at nothing to carry on its mandate, to serve the people’s interest no matter the circumstances,” he said.
The two (2) additional stations open today – the Marikina Station, which is located in front of Robinsons Metro East and Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, and the Antipolo Station near the Masinag Junction in Antipolo City.
Also read: BAKUNA BY THE SEA: DOT commends Davao City for Innovative Vax Program
IMAGE from Department of Transportation Facebook Page
“This is s huge development and it’s important that I highlight our progress. When you travel from C.M. Recto to Antipolo, by land- it will take you 3 to 4 hours. With the LRT East Extension, it will only take 30 minutes. Meaning, you’ll have extra time for family, school, and even for business,” said Tugade.
In addition, the 4-kilometer LRT East extension will be able to accommodate an additional 80,000 passengers, increasing its daily passenger capacity to 320,000 from its previous capacity of 240,000 passengers.
The inauguration of LRT-2 East Extension/IMAGE from Department of Transportation Facebook Page Meanwhile, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Gen. Reynaldo Berroya reminded the public that the government is here to provide commuters with a safe, reliable and efficient mode of transportation.
“The need to extend the LRT-2 existing system to Antipolo was seen two decades ago through a study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The nod was given in 2012 by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) leading to a groundbreaking ceremony held in June 2015 followed by groundbreaking ceremonies in June 2017, and April 2019 for its Packages 2 and 3,” Gen. Berroya said.
