LRT2 to shorten operating hours as COVID-19 cases among personnel rise

The Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2) will be shortening its operating hours due to reduced manpower as a number of its personnel got infected with COVID-19, the  Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the LRTA said it will be temporarily implementing a shortened operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. starting Saturday, April 17, 2021 until April 30, 2021.

"Consistent with the guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), our Management opted to shorten the operating hours so as to help us prevent the further spread of the virus and avoid the possible paralysis of our operations in case the numbers continue to surge," LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya said.

Out of the 1,944 LRT2 personnel, a total of 1,906 have been tested.  Of these,  273 tested positive.  The mass testing was held from April 7 to 8, 2021.

With this, the LRTA said that only 56% are functional among ticket management and sales collection personnel and about 73% among train drivers.  Around 68% among its station personnel are left available with the rest under quarantine due to COVID-19 infection or exposure.

"We have already isolated all the infected/exposed personnel, have implemented work-from-home arrangements for depot workers, revisited train ventilation and air-flow protocols, and ensured that all minimum public health standards are complied with at all times to avoid the further spread of the virus," Berroya said.

He said that the reduced operating hours will allow the management to still effectively manage LRT2 operations considering the manpower deficit and allow COVID-19 afflicted employees to recover and complete their mandatory isolation period.

The LRTA said that under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) being implemented until April 30, 2021, LRT2 is anticipating  to experience a significant decline in ridership.

The railway system’s management also appealed to passengers to strictly observe all COVID-19 protocols, saying that the road to beat the virus is a two-way street.

Passengers are reminded to always wear face masks and face shields, to be self-aware and socially-disciplined, and to adhere to all COVID-19 health and safety measures in place.

Meanwhile, buses are plying Route 9 (Antipolo to Cubao) and Route 10 (Cubao to Doroteo Jose) to augment LRT2 operations and to help accommodate affected passengers.

Normal operating schedule shall resume on May 1, 2021.—LDF, GMA News