LRT Lines 1, 2 to stop operations from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday

MANILA, Philippines–Both lines of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) will suspend operations during Holy Week to give way to annual maintenance work in line with the Department of Transportation and Communications’ “Ligtas na Kuaresma” (Safe Lent) program.

“In observance of the annual Holy Week, we are suspending our commercial operations starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4,” Emerson L. Benitez, LRT Authority officer in charge, said in a statement yesterday. “During this period, we will conduct maintenance works for the two lines.”

Benitez explained that this would involve the cleaning and checking of all LRT facilities, systems and equipment, including replacing catenary wires and rail ballast along critical segments.

Both lines will resume operations at 5 a.m. on Monday, April 9, he added.

The LRT Line 1 runs from Baclaran in Pasay City to Roosevelt in Quezon City while Line 2 or the so-called “Purple Line” stretches from Recto in Manila to Santolan in Pasig City.

Meanwhile, officials of the Metro Rail Transit did not reply to inquiries on whether operations of the commuter train line running on Edsa would also be suspended for maintenance work.

With many residents in the metropolis expected to go home to the provinces during Holy Week, there would be fewer train commuters, making this the best period for maintenance work since it would not inconvenience passengers.