DOTr plans to build new LRT1 station in Bacoor

LRT Line 1 in Manila  (MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) wants to build a another station of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) in Bacoor to cater to more passengers as the government seeks to extend the railway to Cavite by 2030.

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, during an event hosted by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines on Monday, said they were looking at spending P3 billion to construct the Talaba Station.

This will be built between the Zapote and Niog Stations of the LRT 1 Cavite Extension project, which is being undertaken by private sector partner Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).

“This is a request by Bacoor [local government unit]. This makes sense because the Talaba station is in the area where there will be a new development,” Dizon said.

The construction of Talaba station will be bid out to another contractor, however, Dizon said. It will then be turned over to LRMC for operations and maintenance.

READ: LRT 1 extension to Cavite operational by 2031

Still within the alignment

Building this station would require a redesign of the original extension railway project but Dizon explained this only means an additional station to the initial plan. It will still be along the original alignment of the project, he said.

In November last year, the first phase of LRT 1’s Cavite extension line was opened to the riding public. It links Baclaran station in Pasay City to Dr. Santos Station in Paranaque City.

Dizon said Las Pinas and Zapote stations were targeted to be completed by 2028. He said the right-of-way issues for these stations were already resolved.

The last two stations—Talaba and Niog— would service passengers by 2030, the DOTr secretary added.

Fare hike

In April, the LRMC implemented fare hikes to recoup their P45-billion worth of investments to upgrade and maintain the railway.

The base fare increased to P16.25 from P13.29 while the additional fare per kilometer (km) rose to P1.47 from P1.21.

As such, an end-to-end ride now costs P55, an increase from P45 previously. Minimum fare is now P20, up from P15 before.

The company has also begun operating LRT 1 with longer hours on weekdays—extending by 30 minutes—to service more commuters at night.

READ: LRT 1 extends operations ahead of April 2 fare hike

Under the new schedule, the last train at Dr. Santos station will leave at 10:30 p.m. while the one at Fernando Poe Jr. station will depart at 10:45 p.m. The opening hours will remain the same.

The LRMC said it would strategically deploy its trains and run more vehicles, if needed, for the convenience of the riding public.