LRT2 resumes partial operations

Operations of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 resumed partially on Tuesday, days after a fire hit the rectifiers of some stations.

At 6 a.m., LRT2 stations from Cubao to Recto opened their doors to commuters who were already in line early, according to a report by Mariz Umali on GMA News' Unang Balita.

LRT2 resumes partial operation today from Cubao to Recto and Recto to Cubao stations only after its rectifier-transformer between Katipunan & Anonas stations explodes last Oct 3. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/j35233BMVC

— Mariz Umali (@marizumali) October 7, 2019

At the Cubao station, there were already many passengers when guards opened the gate. Each passenger's bag and pockets were checked prior to entry.

Five trains will run from Cubao to Recto and back, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) spokesperson Atty. Hernando Cabrera said.

Unti-unti nang napupuno ang unang tren ng LRT-2 na bumiyahe mula Cubao patungong Recto. Mas dumami ang mga pasahero pagdating sa J Ruiz at V Mapa stations. @gmanews @dzbb @UnangHirit pic.twitter.com/M3u8QTrp06

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) October 7, 2019

These five were among the seven trains that were stuck on the other side of the fire that affected the rectifiers between the Katipunan and Anonas stations on Thursday. 

"Seven (trains) 'yung naipit kaya lang dahil sa power consideration, hanggang lima lang ang puwede nating gamitin," Cabrera said.

The LRT2 has not been operational since the fire.

The LRTA previously announced that the Santolan, Katipunan, and Anonas stations would be shut down for nine months following the incident.

Cabrera said there were issues regarding the telecommunications and power supply as a result of the fire.

"Mayroon tayong issues doon sa telecommunications at sa power supply. Para maka-hook up tayo dito (sa Cubao station), gumawa tayo ng adjustments sa ating procedure tapos nag-simulate tayo (ng operation)," he said.

"Nag-several runs tayo kahapon para ma-perfect natin at ma-ensure ang safety at convenient ride ng ating mga pasahero," Cabrera added.

The LRTA conducted safety runs since Saturday and only resumed operations when they were satisfied with the results, he said.

"'Yung may sira ay between Anonas at Katipunan. Ang problema 'yung power supply ng Anonas apektado. 'Yung tren natin hindi puwedeng mag-umpisa doon sa Anonas," he said.

"Ngayon ang magagamit lang natin na train ay 'yung naipit sa area," Cabrera said.

"Tuloy-tuloy (na) 'yan," he said, referring to the operations that resumed on Tuesday.

"Mag-start tayo ng 6 a.m. at 'yung last train naman na galing ng Cubao ay 8:30 p.m. Late tayo nagbukas, maaga tayo magsasara," Cabrera said. 

LRT2's last train will leave Recto at 9 p.m.

Update: LRT 2 will implement partial operations tomorrow Tuesday October 8, 2019 (Cubao-Recto). First train 6:00 AM, last train from Cubao 8:30 PM, last train from Recto 9:00 PM.

— LRT2 (@OfficialLRTA) October 7, 2019

However, with the partial operations, commuters may expect slower trains and longer wait times.

"Kapag nagpa-partial operations, apektado ang speed at distances between trains," Cabrera said.

The LRTA remains confident that even with lesser trains operating, it will be able to service the 200,000 passengers using the LRT2 on the average daily.

"Ang carrying capacity ng LRT2 ay 500,000 kaya eksakto lang ito," Cabrera said. —KG, GMA News