Ref.: Mariecar Jara-Puyod
Tel. No.: +63 (2) 647-3452
September 8, 2003
People from the eastern side of the metropolis have begun to appreciate the mass rail system.
One-and-a half months after the Light Rail Transit Authority has fully operationalized the Santolan-Cubao phase of the LRT Line 2, ridership has dramatically increased for July, LRTA Administrator Teddy Cruz, Jr. said.
Based on the data from the automatic fare collection system terminals (or the central computer) from the stations, 322,638 commuters have taken the Megatren - re-christened as the "Purple line" by President Arroyo for its color scheme combined with canary yellow - last month.
This represented an increase of 180,589 rise from the 142,049 recorded commuters - basically from Marikina, Cainta, Antipolo, and Pasig - for the entire month of June. the particular phase was fully operationalized only last June 16 in time for the opening of classes.
Informed of the increasing trend in ridership, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said he is elated with these positive development and vowed to support any endeavor undertaken to speed up the construction of more mass rail transit system in the country.
LRT Line 2 operations and maintenance manager Engineer Ed San Juan said ridership has been on the rise because of the expanded operating time.
Since June 16, LRT 2 Phase 1 has been operating from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
"We have attracted the commuters to try the Megatren even if traffic is light", San Juan said.
Peak hours are between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays and to entice commuters to take LRT 2 on their way home, negotiations are ongoing with the Araneta Center management for the free shuttle service from the LRT station on Aurora Boulevard and MRT station on Edsa.
LRT 2 station operations manager Butch Laigo said: "It's understandable. People are forever rushing to their business appointments and commitments in the mornings. Unless very important things need to be attended to in the evenings, they normally take time in going home and can afford to be caught in the traffic."
"Hirap na hirap na kasi kami talaga sa traffic (Traffic has become terrible for us)," a lady caller from Quiapo, Manila who buys and sells goods in Divisoria said.
Carmela Gervesa, a working student at Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong City and first-time rider said: "It was the taxi driver who advised me to take the LRT because of this heavy (morning) traffic".
Joy Mayo, from Cogeo, Antipolo City and an office worker in Cubao gave a short reply: "Wala nang hassle," Having chosen the LRT over the FX taxi or jeepney, she has so far avoided the morning rush and walks to her office from the Cubao terminal.
According to Cubao station supervisor Rudy Bautista, a man who resides near Marcos Highway voluntarily informed him that he no longer drives his car to his office in Makati City but takes the Megatren and the MRT instead.
n n n