Commuters can now rejoice as LRT2 is back to normal operating hours again. The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has announced on their website and official Facebook page that the LRT 2 will be having its first commercial trip at 5:00am and last commercial trip at the Santolan station at 8:30pm and Recto Station at 9:00pm. The longer operating hours have already resumed last May 1, Saturday. 

On April 17, 2021, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) cut short the operating hours of the LRT 2 to 12 hours from 6:00am to 6:00pm. This is due to a huge percentage of LRT 2 staff testing positive to COVID-19, where 273 out of 1,906 tested LRT 2 employees tested positive for COVID-19. 

As of April 29, 208 of the COVID-19 positive LRT 2 staff have fortunately recovered. And so, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has decided to switch back to normal operating hours for the sake of the Filipino commuters. Take note, however, that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) made it clear that limited seating capacities in all rail lines are still in place and will not be lifted any time soon to follow the health and safety guidelines the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) have set. 

Government transportation initiatives, such as the Free Ride for Health Workers and Medical Frontliners and Free Ride for Authorized Persons will still continue to help some of our country’s key workers have a hassle-free commute. As of April 26, it is estimated that up to 2,267,471 free rides have been given to our medical frontliners. 

LRT2 is back to normal operating hours again, but always remember to follow all safety protocols when commuting and going out of the house in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19.