Passengers queue to board the train at the Santolan station of Light Rail Transit 2 in Marikina City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT-2) riders can avail of free rides between Santolan and Antipolo stations and vice versa for two weeks, President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday.
During the inauguration of the LRT-2 East Extension Project, Duterte requested Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to offer free rides to commuters which the latter agreed.
“Sabi ko ‘Art, pwede bang isa, dalawa o kaya mo dalawang linggong libreng pasakay? Para naman maligayahan yung mga tao, lalo na yung mga estudyante. Can I ask for a moratorium sa bayad?’” Duterte said during his speech.
(I told Art, can you give free rides for one or two weeks? So that people, especially students will be happy? Can I ask for a moratorium on the fare?)
“Two weeks daw, kaya daw niya. Mabuhay si Art Tugade!” he went on.
(Two weeks, he said he can do it. Long live, Art Tugade!)
But in the latter part of his speech, Duterte clarified: “Yung libre for two weeks would be from Santolan to Antipolo stations and vice versa.”
(The two-week free ride would be from Santolan to Antipolo stations and vice versa.)
With the opening of LRT-2’s Marikina-Pasig and Antipolo stations, Duterte said the railway’s daily capacity will increase by 80,000 and cut short the travel time from Recto to Antipolo, vice versa, from three hours to just 40 minutes.
“Indeed this project will improve mobility ang ensure transportation connectivity especially in the busy part of Metro Manila,” Duterte said.
The two new stations will start operations on July 6.