The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) are exploring the deployment of special public utility buses (PUBs) along the LRT Line 2 corridor to alleviate mounting passenger queues at stations while government funding for new trainsets remains under procurement.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced Monday that he has instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the LRTA to study issuing special permits allowing city buses to run parallel to the 13-station rail line, servicing commuters from Antipolo Station in Rizal to Recto Station in Manila and back.
The directive comes as daily passenger volume continues to climb on LRT-2 despite a constrained fleet. Only eight trainsets are currently operational, with one unit undergoing a Train Operating Control Panel upgrade and another sidelined for heavy repairs.
“We are continuing to seek funding for the additional trains needed for LRT-2. Some of our existing trains also require upgrades. Meanwhile, we are exploring other ways to ease queues at stations and assist our commuters,” Lopez said in a statement.
“We have directed the LTFRB and LRTA to coordinate on a proposal to issue special permits to buses, providing passengers with an alternative mode of transportation while we address the shortage of trains,” the transport chief added.
The joint DOTr-LTFRB-LRTA study will establish designated bus pickup and drop-off points directly adjacent to LRT-2 stations, evaluate regulatory compliance, and determine fair fare matrices for commuters.
If approved, the point-to-point bus augmentation service is expected to absorb surge capacity during morning and evening rush hours, providing immediate relief along the critical east-west transit artery.