LRTA: Still no partial operations from Cubao to Recto on Monday, October 7

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced that they would not conduct partial commercial operations from Cubao to Recto on Monday, October 7, following the fire that hit rectifiers between the Anonas and Katipunan stations on Thursday.

In a statement on Sunday, LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya said partial operations could not resume yet as they had not completed test runs and safety checks.

"We cannot compromise the safety of everyone so we need to thoroughly check the integrity and stability of LRT 2 structures and equipment before we resume operations,” he said.

However, LRTA Spokesperson Hernando Cabrera told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday night that they were aiming for partial operations starting Tuesday, October 8.

The LRTA previously said the Santolan, Katipunan, and Anonas stations would be closed for nine months as authorities waited for replacement parts to arrive in order to begin rehabilitation efforts. 

To aid struggling commuters, the LRTA said 30 Victory buses and 20 modern jeepneys would will ferry passengers from Santolan to Cubao and back from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Monday.

The loading and unloading bay for Santolan would be in front of the station while the bay for passengers from Cubao would be the McDonald’s branch under the Araneta Center-Cubao station.

The buses would stop at the Anonas and Katipunan stations.

The Metro Manila Development Authority would likewise continue to offer free rides to passengers from Santolan to Cubao and back from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

The fare for these alternative modes of transport would range from P12 to P15, according to Cabrera. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News