Unlike the Metrostar Express (MRT) along EDSA, two other Metro Manila rail services cannot offer round-the-clock rides due to low volume of passengers.

According to Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Mel Robles, they cannot open LRT lines 1 and 2 until midnight as passengers seldom ride the train in those times. "Kasi hindi naman kami EDSA (MRT's route), mas konti [ang pasahero] namin. Kung kinakailangan, we will look into that and study the matter seriously," he said.

In the past, LRTA offered rides until 12 in the morning but the the volume of passengers were low in both lines. Line 1 starts in Monumento and ends in Baclaran while Line 2 starts from Santolan to Recto. Majority of Manila's passengers are students and employees who go off at the usual rush hour.

As classes opened in public schools on Monday, Robles took an early morning inspection from Cubao to Santolan and noted that passengers already flocked to the stations as early as seven in the morning.

"Gusto ko din makita kung gano kahanda. Meron kaming ginawa ng paghahanda para sa pagbubukas ng klase at gusto nating makita kung nasusunod ito at kung meron pang dapat gawin at kung tama naman yung pinag-usapan namin na dapat gawin," Robles said.

Fixing kinks

Before classes in all levels open on June 8, Robles said they are trying to fix minor kinks like faulty elevator systems. "Meron mga elevators that are out of service, pinapa-rush na namin yun. We are targeting na matapos yun pero sa procurement of spare parts ang medyo mabagal sa amin."

Passengers are expected to rise by about 20 to 30 percent for Line 2 this school year mostly comprising of students studying at the University Belt. For Line 1, there is an expected 10% increase.

"We need to bring in more coaches, and ang headway namin mga five minutes, even three minutes. Sa line 1, we can do two minutes and 10 seconds. As of the moment, all the coaches are in service, our required number of trains ay tumatakbo," he said.

Satellite stations and ticket vendors have also been put up to minimize long lines.

LRTA is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to make sure construction accidents would not hamper the railway's operations. Last Friday, debris from a nearby construction site fell on the tracks of LRT line 1, causing transportation disruptions.

"We are coordinating with DPWH para higpitan yang ganyang klase ng construction near LRTA. That's unfortunate because that's beyond our control," Robles explained.

Fares remain at P12 and P15, and there are still discounts for senior citizens, said Robles. He clarified, though, that there is still no student discount.

"We give discounts to senior citizens but for the students, we don't do that. For the distance, that's the cheapest that's why this is the preferred mode of transportation. It is the lowest fare in the world. The subsidy of the government is up to P40. The fares have not been increased in six years so there is no need for a discount anymore," Robles said.

as of 06/01/2009 3:10 PM