LRT1 Cavite extension Phase 1 98.2% complete

Phase 1 of the Light Rail Transit Line 1’s (LRT1's) extension has come closer to its planned commercial operations in the fourth quarter of 2024.

At a press conference in Parañaque City on Friday, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) General Manager Enrico Benipayo reported that the LRT1 Cavite Extension Project Phase 1 was 98.2% complete as of end-April.

LRMC is the private operator of LRT1.

Phase 1 of the LRT1 Cavite Extension Project covers the first five additional stations spanning over six kilometers within the city of Parañaque, namely: Redemptorist, MIA, PITX Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos.

Phase 1 will extend the existing Line 1 by 6.2 kilometers.

The five stations under Phase 1 are currently at varying stages of completion with Redemptorist Station 97.4% complete, MIA Station at 97.2%, Asia World Station at 90.4%, Ninoy Aquino Station at 93.5%, and Dr. Santos Station at 97.7%.

The Dr. Santos Station, the last Phase 1 terminal, will also serve as an intermodal transport hub, spanning 10,740 square meters of lot area, with designated bays for public buses, jeepneys, taxis, private cars, motorcycles, among others, as well as dedicated parking slots for PWDs.

Transportation Assistant Secretary for Rails Jorjette Aquino said the government would apply the same fare matrix for the extension, similar to the existing Line 1.

“Regarding the fare, currently, we will be applying the same fare, which is P13.29, boarding fare… and for distance fare, we're going to allow up to a minimum amount so that's the same as the existing line for LRT1 and LRT2,” Aquino said.

Transportation officials, led by Secretary Jaime Bautista, and executives of LRMC (General Manager Benipayo and President Jose Ma. Lim) together with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes, Parañaque District 1 Representative Congress Edwin Olivarez, Paranaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez, Japan International Cooperation Agency Philippines Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto, Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Atty. Hernando Cabrera, and Embassy of Japan Representative Masahi Ide inspected the Dr. Santos Station.

“We are grateful to Secretary Bautista for taking the time to visit the project site and for the support given by the DOTr. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our contractors, Bouygues and Alstom, and the whole LRMC team for their commitment to making this crucial infrastructure project a reality,” Benipayo said.

The Phase 1 Extension Project was expected to significantly reduce travel time and benefit up to 600,000 passengers daily. — DVM, GMA Integrated News