Manila LRT Purple Line
Encyclopedia
The Manila LRT Purple Line (MRT-2) is the second line of the Manila Light Rail Transit System
. The line contains eleven stations and runs over 13.8 kilometers of mostly elevated track, with the exception of Katipunan
station, which is underground. As the name implies, the line is colored purple on all LRT maps.
The line runs in a general east-west direction, linking the cities of Manila
, San Juan, Quezon City
, Marikina
and Pasig
. Passengers can transfer to the Yellow Line
at Recto
station, while passengers can transfer to the Blue Line
at Araneta Center-Cubao
station.
Before the launch of the Strong Republic Transit System
, the Purple Line was known as MRT Line 2, shortened to MRT-2, or the Megatren. The former names are still used colloquially. However, the purple color of the line dates back to its opening in 2003.
Unlike the LRT Line 1
and the MRT Line 3
, this line uses heavy rail metro vehicles.
(Recto on the map) and ends at Santolan Road
(Santolan on the map), serving the cities that Radial Road 6 (Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Legarda Avenue and C.M. Recto Avenue) passes through: Manila
, San Juan
, Quezon City
, and Marikina City
.
Araneta Center-Cubao
is an interchange with the MRT
network, with Araneta Center-Cubao
connected to its namesake
station on the Blue Line while Recto
is an interchange with the LRT-1
network, with Recto
connected to Doroteo Jose
on the Yellow Line. The line's interchanges have been designated as transport hubs, where commuters can change to and from take other forms of public transport.
The MRT-2 is open from 5:00 a.m. PST
(UTC
+8) until 10:00 p.m during weekdays while 5:00 a.m. PST
(UTC
+8) until 9:30 p.m during weekends and holidays. LRTA extended its operation hours. The extended hours were primarily aimed at serving call center agents and other workers in the business process outsourcing sector. However, the extended operation hours were called off when Rafael Rodríguez took over as LRTA undersecretary. Special schedules are announced via the PA system in every station and also in newspaper
s and other mass media
. It is open every day of the year except when announced, and during Holy Week
, when it is closed for annual maintenance, owing to fewer commuters and lower levels of traffic congestion on EDSA. Normal operation resumes after Black Saturday
or Easter Sunday.
The Asia Europe MRT Consortium, led by the Marubeni Corporation, has delivered 18 new four - car trains. Each train is 92.6 meters long and consists of four motorized cars. One train can seat 232 passengers. It can accommodate 1,396 more standing passengers along its spacious coaches. Compared with the previous light rail projects, MRT-2 was more difficult to build because of highly technical problems. Several international companies participated in the project, which consists of four contract packages. Package 1 is the depot in Santolan, Pasig where the 18 trains are stabled, and where the employees quarters, and offices are based. Package 2 consists of the substructures, mainly the railways foundations including the columns and pilings that support the guideways. Package 3 forms the superstructure composed of the girders, or beams that support the train rails, the viaduct, and the train stations. Package 4 includes the electro-mechanical systems, the rolling stocks, the track works, including the network of cables and poles that transmit power to the trains.
The pre-casting segmental method (PSM), was used in building the viaduct or the long stretch of suspension bridges resting on the concrete towers. The Megatren Line 2 project pioneered the use of the PSM technology or the pre-casting of the girders into smaller segments so that each span connected between two columns weigh not more than 58 tons.
On April 5, 2003, the initial section, from Santolan
to Araneta Center-Cubao
opened, followed on exactly after one year which is April 5, 2004, from Araneta Center-Cubao to Legarda
and finally on October 29, 2004 the final segment from Legarda to Recto
opened.
station, all stations are above ground.
, escalator
s and elevator
s leading down to the platform level. The levels are separated by fare gates.
The concourse contains ticket booths. Some stations, such as Araneta Center-Cubao
, are connected at concourse level to nearby buildings, such as shopping malls, for easier accessibility.
Almost all Stations have side platform
s with the exception of Santolan
which has an island platform
. Part of the platform at the front of the train is cordoned off for the use of pregnant, elderly and disabled passengers. At side-platform stations, passengers need not enter the concourse area to enter the other platform or go through bridges atop some stations as there is a small centre island in which they can transfer trains if there is a train in the other side of the platform via the left door which is called the Seamless transfer system which can only be found in this line. Passengers can easily switch sides at the station with island platform. Stations have toilets at the concourse level.
All stations are barrier-free inside and outside, and trains have spaces for wheelchair
-bound passengers.
and V.Mapa.
Stations such as Araneta Center-Cubao and V. Mapa are connected to or are near shopping malls, hotels and/or other large shopping areas, where commuters are offered more services they need.
, Good Friday
, Black Saturday
and Easter Sunday. At the discretion of its operators, it is also closed during All Saints Day (November 1).
First / Last Train Service
and Tagalog
are also a common sight at MRT-2 stations and inside MRT-2 trains.
{| {| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date
! Location
! Results
|-
| January 10, 2005
| Recto
|| Two robbers dressed as janitor
s ran off with PHP 700,000 in station earnings from Recto station, killing one policeman, Arcadio Borja from the Lockheed Security Agency, in the process. The robbers were wearing the uniforms of Excellent General Services, the agency which provides janitorial services on the entire Purple Line. It is presumed that the robbers entered the station through the fire exit, the hallway lights of which were turned off to make them invisible to security cameras. Four janitors, eight security guards and cashier Leo Inocentes, from which the money was robbed from, were subjected to a polygraph test
after testing negative for gunshot residue
.
|-
| January 30, 2006
| Santolan
|| A man, later identified as Zaldy Morato Muna, was arrested after guards conducting a routine bag search discovered bomb-making materials inside Muna's bag, with the suspect claiming that the materials were for a fishpond project in Antipolo City
and that he believed that he had given the materials to a friend of his. While the suspect has been relieved of any allegations of being a member of a terrorist group, charges of illegal possession of explosives will still be levied against him, according to police.
|-
| June 22, 2006
| Santolan
to Katipunan
| At about 6:15am PST, MRT-2 operations were halted for about three hours due to a power glitch that occurred between the two stations. LRTA engineers discovered a piece of tin
that broke one of the catenary wires, causing delays for passengers who had to be transferred via coach to Anonas
station, the closest open station of the network for passengers boarding from Santolan and Katipunan. Full line operations resumed by 9:30 am after the wire was repaired.
|-
| July 12, 2006
| Santolan
to Katipunan
|| Hundreds of passengers were stranded after lightning caused by Tropical Storm Bilis (Florita) struck one of the overhead wires, causing the line to break and forcing operations from Santolan to Katipunan to stall. Operations from Recto to Anonas continued as normal while linemen were repairing the damaged wire.
|-
| May 20, 2008
| Recto
|| Train operations from Recto to Araneta Center-Cubao
were suspended due to lightning that struck the station's power supply.
|-
| July 14, 2008
| Araneta Center-Cubao
|| A hard and sudden downpour of rain disrupted operations of the MRT-2 and caused a power transformer to explode and trigger a brownout in some parts of Quezon City. Trains loaded with passengers stopped at the Araneta Center-Cubao
, while MRT-2's workers tried to activate their emergency generator to immediately resume operations.
|-
| January 4, 2011
| V. Mapa
| Operations of the MRT-2 were temporarily halted due to obstructions along the tracks in the Sta. Mesa district in Manila during rush hour early Tuesday. The object was reported past 7 a.m. PST, forcing them to stop operations until the tracks were cleared.
|-
| March 24, 2011
| Katipunan
| A glitch interrupted the operations of the MRT-2, this time involving a defective door on one of its coaches. The technical problem occurred at 6:47 a.m. PST, involving a train bound for the Recto
Station when a train at the Katipunan
Station had the said glitch. The operations resumed at 6:55 a.m. PST, and insisted MRT-2 technicians quickly fixed the problem.
|-
| June 11, 2011
| Araneta Center-Cubao
| The morning operation of Purple line was delayed when a man suddenly jumped on the railroad tracks in front of an incoming train.
|}
.
For safety and security reasons, persons who are visibly intoxicated, insane
and/or under the influence of controlled substances, persons carrying flammable materials and/or explosives, persons carrying bulky objects or items over 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall and/or wide, and persons bringing pets and/or other animal
s are prohibited from entering the MRT-2. Passengers are also prohibited from entering the MRT-2 if bringing products in tin can
s, citing the possibility of home-made bomb
s being concealed inside the cans.
and the September 11th attacks, security has been stepped up onboard the MRT-2. The Philippine National Police
has a special MRT-2 police force, and security police
provided by the LRTA management can be found in all MRT-2 stations. All MRT-2 stations have a head guard. Some stations may also have a deployed K9 bomb-sniffing dog.
The MRT-2 also employs the use of closed-circuit television
inside all stations to monitor suspicious activities and to assure safety and security aboard the line.
Passengers are also advised to look out for thieves, who can take advantage of the crowding aboard MRT-2 trains. Wanted poster
s are posted at all MRT-2 stations to help commuters identify known thieves.
(28 to 35 U.S. cents
), depending on the destination.
MRT-2 tickets come in two incarnations: one bearing the portrait of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
, which have since been phased out, although some tickets have been recycled due to ticket shortages, and one with the LRT-MRT closing the loop project design with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
again in the picture.
In the past, the MRT-3 borrowed tickets from MRT-2 and LRT-1 rather than recycling the old "Erap tickets", due to the same ticket shortages.
Unlike MRT-3, MRT-2 now has sufficient number of tickets with the arrival of the new tickets and the unified ticketing system between LRT-1 and MRT-2 among stored value users which result to a shorter line in booths compared to its MRT-3 counterparts.
by Hyundai Rotem in a four-car configuration. The trains came in together with the fourth package during the system's construction. Trains have a capacity of 1,628 passengers, which is more than the normal capacity of LRT-1 and MRT-3 rolling stocks.
MRT-2 trains, like their MRT-3 and second generation LRT-1 counterparts, are particularly known for their use of wrap advertising
. A wide variety of advertisements can be seen on MRT-2 trains, of which some include Nike
, Converse
and Samsung
products. Trains bearing wrap advertising are now very common aboard the MRT-2, although trains that use MRT-2's house colors are also in service in the network. The revenues generated from the advertising on MRT-2 trains are used to pay off debts incurred by the LRTA during the system's construction and maintain the rolling stocks and stations of the line.
, near Santolan station. It serves as the headquarters for light and heavy maintenance of the MRT-2, as well as the operations of the system in general which includes the operation of the driverless trains. It is connected to the main MRT-2 network by a spur line.
, Rizal
, was proposed. It was approved in principle by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), but the actual proposal is pending before the NEDA secretariat. In the future, the line could be extended as far west as Manila North Harbor and as far east as Cogeo in Antipolo.
Manila Light Rail Transit System
The Manila Light Rail Transit System, popularly known as the LRT, is a metropolitan rail system serving the Metro Manila area in the Philippines. Although referred to as a light rail system because it originally used light rail vehicles, it has many characteristics of a rapid transit system, such...
. The line contains eleven stations and runs over 13.8 kilometers of mostly elevated track, with the exception of Katipunan
Katipunan LRT Station
Katipunan LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . It is the only underground station in the entire LRT system. The station is located in Loyola Heights in Quezon City and is named because of its location on Katipunan Avenue, one of Quezon City's main thoroughfares...
station, which is underground. As the name implies, the line is colored purple on all LRT maps.
The line runs in a general east-west direction, linking the cities of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, San Juan, Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
, Marikina
Marikina City
Marikina, officially the City of Marikina, known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, was former capital of the province of Manila during the declaration of Philippine Independence and one of the sixteen cities within the Manila Metropolitan Area. Marikina is part of Eastern Manila District of...
and Pasig
Pasig City
The City of Pasig is one of the city municipalities of Metro Manila in the Philippines and was the former capital of the province of Rizal prior to the formation of this grouping of cities designated as the National Capital Region...
. Passengers can transfer to the Yellow Line
Manila LRT Yellow Line
The Manila LRT Yellow Line is the first metro line of the Manila Light Rail Transit System. Presently, the line contains twenty-two stations and runs over twenty point seven kilometers of fully elevated track...
at Recto
Recto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
station, while passengers can transfer to the Blue Line
Manila Metro Rail Transit System
The Metro Rail Transit is Metro Manila's third rapid transit line. It forms part of the Strong Republic Transit System, which includes the Manila Light Rail Transit System. The line operates under the name Metrostar Express and is colored blue on rail maps.The line is located along the Epifanio de...
at Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
station.
Before the launch of the Strong Republic Transit System
Strong Republic Transit System
The Strong Republic Transit System was launched to integrate the various rail lines providing public transport in Manila in the Philippines. The program was initiated by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 14, 2003...
, the Purple Line was known as MRT Line 2, shortened to MRT-2, or the Megatren. The former names are still used colloquially. However, the purple color of the line dates back to its opening in 2003.
Unlike the LRT Line 1
Manila LRT Yellow Line
The Manila LRT Yellow Line is the first metro line of the Manila Light Rail Transit System. Presently, the line contains twenty-two stations and runs over twenty point seven kilometers of fully elevated track...
and the MRT Line 3
Manila Metro Rail Transit System
The Metro Rail Transit is Metro Manila's third rapid transit line. It forms part of the Strong Republic Transit System, which includes the Manila Light Rail Transit System. The line operates under the name Metrostar Express and is colored blue on rail maps.The line is located along the Epifanio de...
, this line uses heavy rail metro vehicles.
The LRT-2 network
The line serves 11 stations on 13.8 kilometres (8.6 mi) of line. It is mostly elevated, with some sections underground. The line commences at Recto AvenueRecto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
(Recto on the map) and ends at Santolan Road
Santolan LRT Station
Santolan LRT Station, or M. A. Roxas LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Santolan Station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located on the stretch of the Marcos Highway and is named after the barangay that it is in, Barangay...
(Santolan on the map), serving the cities that Radial Road 6 (Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Legarda Avenue and C.M. Recto Avenue) passes through: Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, San Juan
San Juan, Metro Manila
The City of San Juan or simply San Juan is a city in Metro Manila in the Philippines. Before the creation of Metro Manila, it was part of Rizal Province. Currently the smallest city in the region and the country in terms of area, San Juan is one of the smallest among the cities and municipalities...
, Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
, and Marikina City
Marikina City
Marikina, officially the City of Marikina, known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, was former capital of the province of Manila during the declaration of Philippine Independence and one of the sixteen cities within the Manila Metropolitan Area. Marikina is part of Eastern Manila District of...
.
Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
is an interchange with the MRT
Manila Metro Rail Transit System
The Metro Rail Transit is Metro Manila's third rapid transit line. It forms part of the Strong Republic Transit System, which includes the Manila Light Rail Transit System. The line operates under the name Metrostar Express and is colored blue on rail maps.The line is located along the Epifanio de...
network, with Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
connected to its namesake
Araneta Center-Cubao MRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao MRT Station, usually called Cubao MRT Station, is a station on the Manila MRT Blue Line . Araneta Center-Cubao station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line...
station on the Blue Line while Recto
Recto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
is an interchange with the LRT-1
Manila LRT Yellow Line
The Manila LRT Yellow Line is the first metro line of the Manila Light Rail Transit System. Presently, the line contains twenty-two stations and runs over twenty point seven kilometers of fully elevated track...
network, with Recto
Recto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
connected to Doroteo Jose
Doroteo Jose LRT Station
Doroteo Jose LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Yellow Line . Like all other LRT-1 stations, Doroteo Jose station station is above-ground. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila, on Rizal Avenue and slightly past Doroteo Jose Street...
on the Yellow Line. The line's interchanges have been designated as transport hubs, where commuters can change to and from take other forms of public transport.
The MRT-2 is open from 5:00 a.m. PST
Philippine Standard Time
Philippine Standard Time , also known as Philippine Time , is the official name for the time in the Philippines. The country only has one time zone, the UTC+08:00 time zone. The country used the daylight saving time for a short time...
(UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
+8) until 10:00 p.m during weekdays while 5:00 a.m. PST
Philippine Standard Time
Philippine Standard Time , also known as Philippine Time , is the official name for the time in the Philippines. The country only has one time zone, the UTC+08:00 time zone. The country used the daylight saving time for a short time...
(UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
+8) until 9:30 p.m during weekends and holidays. LRTA extended its operation hours. The extended hours were primarily aimed at serving call center agents and other workers in the business process outsourcing sector. However, the extended operation hours were called off when Rafael Rodríguez took over as LRTA undersecretary. Special schedules are announced via the PA system in every station and also in newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s and other mass media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
. It is open every day of the year except when announced, and during Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
, when it is closed for annual maintenance, owing to fewer commuters and lower levels of traffic congestion on EDSA. Normal operation resumes after Black Saturday
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday , sometimes known as Easter Eve or Black Saturday, is the day after Good Friday. It is the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Christians prepare for Easter...
or Easter Sunday.
History
The Megatren system was built at a cost of P31 billion in soft loans mainly from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). This was a very concessional loan, with 2 percent interest for three packages, and payable for 30 years with a 10-year grace period.The Asia Europe MRT Consortium, led by the Marubeni Corporation, has delivered 18 new four - car trains. Each train is 92.6 meters long and consists of four motorized cars. One train can seat 232 passengers. It can accommodate 1,396 more standing passengers along its spacious coaches. Compared with the previous light rail projects, MRT-2 was more difficult to build because of highly technical problems. Several international companies participated in the project, which consists of four contract packages. Package 1 is the depot in Santolan, Pasig where the 18 trains are stabled, and where the employees quarters, and offices are based. Package 2 consists of the substructures, mainly the railways foundations including the columns and pilings that support the guideways. Package 3 forms the superstructure composed of the girders, or beams that support the train rails, the viaduct, and the train stations. Package 4 includes the electro-mechanical systems, the rolling stocks, the track works, including the network of cables and poles that transmit power to the trains.
The pre-casting segmental method (PSM), was used in building the viaduct or the long stretch of suspension bridges resting on the concrete towers. The Megatren Line 2 project pioneered the use of the PSM technology or the pre-casting of the girders into smaller segments so that each span connected between two columns weigh not more than 58 tons.
On April 5, 2003, the initial section, from Santolan
Santolan LRT Station
Santolan LRT Station, or M. A. Roxas LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Santolan Station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located on the stretch of the Marcos Highway and is named after the barangay that it is in, Barangay...
to Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
opened, followed on exactly after one year which is April 5, 2004, from Araneta Center-Cubao to Legarda
Legarda LRT Station
Legarda LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Legarda station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Sampaloc in Manila and is named after Legarda Avenue, where the station sits.The station is the second station for trains...
and finally on October 29, 2004 the final segment from Legarda to Recto
Recto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
opened.
Station facilities, amenities, and services
With the exception of KatipunanKatipunan LRT Station
Katipunan LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . It is the only underground station in the entire LRT system. The station is located in Loyola Heights in Quezon City and is named because of its location on Katipunan Avenue, one of Quezon City's main thoroughfares...
station, all stations are above ground.
Station layout and accessibility
Stations have a standard layout, with a concourse level and a platform level. The concourse is usually above the platform, with stairsStairs
-People:* Scott Kannberg , guitarist of Pavement* A. Edison Stairs , New Brunswick politician* Denis Stairs , engineer, Montreal businessman* Ernest W. Stairs , New Brunswick politician...
, escalator
Escalator
An escalator is a moving staircase – a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors of a building. The device consists of a motor-driven chain of individual, linked steps that move up or down on tracks, allowing the step treads to remain horizontal.Escalators are used around the...
s and elevator
Elevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
s leading down to the platform level. The levels are separated by fare gates.
The concourse contains ticket booths. Some stations, such as Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
, are connected at concourse level to nearby buildings, such as shopping malls, for easier accessibility.
Almost all Stations have side platform
Side platform
A Side platform is a platform positioned to the side of a pair of tracks at a railway station, a tram stop or a transitway. A pair of side platforms are often provided on a dual track line with a single side platform being sufficient for a single track line...
s with the exception of Santolan
Santolan LRT Station
Santolan LRT Station, or M. A. Roxas LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Santolan Station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located on the stretch of the Marcos Highway and is named after the barangay that it is in, Barangay...
which has an island platform
Island platform
An island platform is a station layout arrangement where a single platform is positioned between two tracks within a railway station, tram stop or transitway interchange...
. Part of the platform at the front of the train is cordoned off for the use of pregnant, elderly and disabled passengers. At side-platform stations, passengers need not enter the concourse area to enter the other platform or go through bridges atop some stations as there is a small centre island in which they can transfer trains if there is a train in the other side of the platform via the left door which is called the Seamless transfer system which can only be found in this line. Passengers can easily switch sides at the station with island platform. Stations have toilets at the concourse level.
All stations are barrier-free inside and outside, and trains have spaces for wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
-bound passengers.
Shops and services
Inside the concourse of all stations is at least one stall or stand where people can buy food or drinks. Stalls vary by station, and some have fast food stalls. The number of stalls also varies by station, and stations tend to have a wide variety, especially in stations such as RectoRecto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
and V.Mapa.
Stations such as Araneta Center-Cubao and V. Mapa are connected to or are near shopping malls, hotels and/or other large shopping areas, where commuters are offered more services they need.
Operating Schedule
MRT-2 operates from 5:00 AM until 10:00 PM on weekdays and 5:00 AM until 9:30 PM on weekends and holidays. It is closed for annual maintenance every Maundy ThursdayMaundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels...
, Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
, Black Saturday
Black Saturday
Black Saturday may refer to:* Holy Saturday* Black Saturday , the busiest day of the year when many people go on holiday* Black Saturday bushfires , when a series of bushfires burnt across the Australian state of Victoria...
and Easter Sunday. At the discretion of its operators, it is also closed during All Saints Day (November 1).
First / Last Train Service
Regular Operation
|
Weekends and Holidays
|
Safety
The MRT-2 has always presented itself as a safe system to travel in. So far, this has been affirmed by the LRTA, the government owned and controlled corporation running LRT-1 and MRT-2, has since been able to live up to that reputation. Safety notices in both EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
are also a common sight at MRT-2 stations and inside MRT-2 trains.
Incidents and accidents
Incidents and accidents are rare aboard the MRT-2, but there have been notable events throughout the MRT-2's history:{| {| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date
! Location
! Results
|-
| January 10, 2005
| Recto
Recto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
|| Two robbers dressed as janitor
Janitor
A janitor or custodian is a professional who takes care of buildings, such as hospitals and schools. Janitors are responsible primarily for cleaning, and often some maintenance and security...
s ran off with PHP 700,000 in station earnings from Recto station, killing one policeman, Arcadio Borja from the Lockheed Security Agency, in the process. The robbers were wearing the uniforms of Excellent General Services, the agency which provides janitorial services on the entire Purple Line. It is presumed that the robbers entered the station through the fire exit, the hallway lights of which were turned off to make them invisible to security cameras. Four janitors, eight security guards and cashier Leo Inocentes, from which the money was robbed from, were subjected to a polygraph test
Polygraph
A polygraph measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions...
after testing negative for gunshot residue
Gunshot residue
Gunshot residue is principally composed of burnt and unburnt particles from the explosive primer, the propellant, as well as components from the bullet, the cartridge case and the firearm used...
.
|-
| January 30, 2006
| Santolan
Santolan LRT Station
Santolan LRT Station, or M. A. Roxas LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Santolan Station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located on the stretch of the Marcos Highway and is named after the barangay that it is in, Barangay...
|| A man, later identified as Zaldy Morato Muna, was arrested after guards conducting a routine bag search discovered bomb-making materials inside Muna's bag, with the suspect claiming that the materials were for a fishpond project in Antipolo City
Antipolo City
Antipolo is a city in the Philippines located in the province of Rizal; about 25 kilometers east of Manila. It is the largest city in the Calabarzon Region in terms of population...
and that he believed that he had given the materials to a friend of his. While the suspect has been relieved of any allegations of being a member of a terrorist group, charges of illegal possession of explosives will still be levied against him, according to police.
|-
| June 22, 2006
| Santolan
Santolan LRT Station
Santolan LRT Station, or M. A. Roxas LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Santolan Station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located on the stretch of the Marcos Highway and is named after the barangay that it is in, Barangay...
to Katipunan
Katipunan LRT Station
Katipunan LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . It is the only underground station in the entire LRT system. The station is located in Loyola Heights in Quezon City and is named because of its location on Katipunan Avenue, one of Quezon City's main thoroughfares...
| At about 6:15am PST, MRT-2 operations were halted for about three hours due to a power glitch that occurred between the two stations. LRTA engineers discovered a piece of tin
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table. Tin shows chemical similarity to both neighboring group 14 elements, germanium and lead and has two possible oxidation states, +2 and the slightly more stable +4...
that broke one of the catenary wires, causing delays for passengers who had to be transferred via coach to Anonas
Anonas LRT Station
Anonas LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Anonas station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Project 3 in Quezon City and is named because of its location near Anonas Avenue....
station, the closest open station of the network for passengers boarding from Santolan and Katipunan. Full line operations resumed by 9:30 am after the wire was repaired.
|-
| July 12, 2006
| Santolan
Santolan LRT Station
Santolan LRT Station, or M. A. Roxas LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Santolan Station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located on the stretch of the Marcos Highway and is named after the barangay that it is in, Barangay...
to Katipunan
Katipunan LRT Station
Katipunan LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . It is the only underground station in the entire LRT system. The station is located in Loyola Heights in Quezon City and is named because of its location on Katipunan Avenue, one of Quezon City's main thoroughfares...
|| Hundreds of passengers were stranded after lightning caused by Tropical Storm Bilis (Florita) struck one of the overhead wires, causing the line to break and forcing operations from Santolan to Katipunan to stall. Operations from Recto to Anonas continued as normal while linemen were repairing the damaged wire.
|-
| May 20, 2008
| Recto
Recto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
|| Train operations from Recto to Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
were suspended due to lightning that struck the station's power supply.
|-
| July 14, 2008
| Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
|| A hard and sudden downpour of rain disrupted operations of the MRT-2 and caused a power transformer to explode and trigger a brownout in some parts of Quezon City. Trains loaded with passengers stopped at the Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
, while MRT-2's workers tried to activate their emergency generator to immediately resume operations.
|-
| January 4, 2011
| V. Mapa
V. Mapa LRT Station
V. Mapa LRT Station is a train station at Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and V. Mapa Street, Santa Mesa, Manila. The station was located near SM City Santa Mesa, Hotel Sogo Santa Mesa and several prominent universities, the Central Colleges of the Philippines, Immaculate Heart of Mary College and the...
| Operations of the MRT-2 were temporarily halted due to obstructions along the tracks in the Sta. Mesa district in Manila during rush hour early Tuesday. The object was reported past 7 a.m. PST, forcing them to stop operations until the tracks were cleared.
|-
| March 24, 2011
| Katipunan
Katipunan LRT Station
Katipunan LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . It is the only underground station in the entire LRT system. The station is located in Loyola Heights in Quezon City and is named because of its location on Katipunan Avenue, one of Quezon City's main thoroughfares...
| A glitch interrupted the operations of the MRT-2, this time involving a defective door on one of its coaches. The technical problem occurred at 6:47 a.m. PST, involving a train bound for the Recto
Recto LRT Station
Recto LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . Recto station is one of the many elevated stations that can be found on the line. The station is located in Santa Cruz in Manila. The station is named after C.M. Recto Avenue, where the station sits above it. The avenue in turn is...
Station when a train at the Katipunan
Katipunan LRT Station
Katipunan LRT Station is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . It is the only underground station in the entire LRT system. The station is located in Loyola Heights in Quezon City and is named because of its location on Katipunan Avenue, one of Quezon City's main thoroughfares...
Station had the said glitch. The operations resumed at 6:55 a.m. PST, and insisted MRT-2 technicians quickly fixed the problem.
|-
| June 11, 2011
| Araneta Center-Cubao
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station
Araneta Center-Cubao LRT Station, usually called Cubao LRT Station, is a station on the Manila LRT Purple Line . The station is located in Cubao in Quezon City and is named because of its location in the district of the same name and its location near the famed Araneta Center, one of the...
| The morning operation of Purple line was delayed when a man suddenly jumped on the railroad tracks in front of an incoming train.
|}
Rules
Passengers at MRT-2 stations are advised to not stay too close to the edge of the platforms to avoid falling onto the tracks. Passengers are prohibited from eating, drinking or smoking inside the platform area of all MRT-2 stations and inside the trains. Bags are also inspected for prohibited goods, such as chemicals and knives. Passengers are also inspected by guards using a handheld metal detectorMetal detector
A metal detector is a device which responds to metal that may not be readily apparent.The simplest form of a metal detector consists of an oscillator producing an alternating current that passes through a coil producing an alternating magnetic field...
.
For safety and security reasons, persons who are visibly intoxicated, insane
Insanity
Insanity, craziness or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity may manifest as violations of societal norms, including becoming a danger to themselves and others, though not all such acts are considered insanity...
and/or under the influence of controlled substances, persons carrying flammable materials and/or explosives, persons carrying bulky objects or items over 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall and/or wide, and persons bringing pets and/or other animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
s are prohibited from entering the MRT-2. Passengers are also prohibited from entering the MRT-2 if bringing products in tin can
Tin can
A tin can, tin , steel can, or a can, is a sealed container for the distribution or storage of goods, composed of thin metal. Many cans require opening by cutting the "end" open; others have removable covers. Cans hold diverse contents: foods, beverages, oil, chemicals, etc."Tin" cans are made...
s, citing the possibility of home-made bomb
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
s being concealed inside the cans.
Security
In response to the Rizal Day bombingsRizal Day bombings
The Rizal Day bombings, also referred to as the December 30 bombings, were a series of bombings that occurred around Metro Manila in the Philippines on December 30, 2000. The explosions occurred in close succession within a span of a few hours...
and the September 11th attacks, security has been stepped up onboard the MRT-2. The Philippine National Police
Philippine National Police
The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines...
has a special MRT-2 police force, and security police
Security police
In some countries, including the United States, security police are those persons, employed by or for a governmental agency, who provide police and security services to those agencies' properties....
provided by the LRTA management can be found in all MRT-2 stations. All MRT-2 stations have a head guard. Some stations may also have a deployed K9 bomb-sniffing dog.
The MRT-2 also employs the use of closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors....
inside all stations to monitor suspicious activities and to assure safety and security aboard the line.
Passengers are also advised to look out for thieves, who can take advantage of the crowding aboard MRT-2 trains. Wanted poster
Wanted poster
A wanted poster is a poster distributed to let the public know of an alleged criminal whom authorities wish to apprehend. They will generally include either a picture of the alleged criminal when a photograph is available, or of a facial composite image produced by a police artist...
s are posted at all MRT-2 stations to help commuters identify known thieves.
Fares and ticketing
The MRT-2, like the LRT-1 and MRT-3, uses a distance-based fare structure, with fares ranging from twelve to fifteen pesosPhilippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
(28 to 35 U.S. cents
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
), depending on the destination.
Fare structure
The MRT-2 only uses one fare structure for both single-journey and stored-value ticket holders. Commuters who ride the MRT-2 are charged 12 pesos for the first three stations, 13 pesos for 4–6 stations, 14 pesos for 7-9 stations, and 15 pesos for 10 stations or the entire line. Children below 1.02 metres (3 ft 4.4 in) (the height of a fare gate) may ride for free on the MRT-2.Types of tickets
Four types of MRT-2 tickets exist: a single-journey (one-way) ticket whose cost is dependent on the destination, a stored-value (multiple-use) ticket for 100 pesos, a discounted stored value ticket (multiple-use) which can only be availed by senior citizens and disabled persons for 96 pesos, and a single journey ticket for employees (one-way) which is exclusive for LRTA employees only. The single-journey ticket and the single journey ticket for employees is valid only on the date of purchase. Meanwhile, the stored-value ticket and the discounted stored-value ticket is valid for six months from date of purchase when unused and for one month from date it was first used.MRT-2 tickets come in two incarnations: one bearing the portrait of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
, which have since been phased out, although some tickets have been recycled due to ticket shortages, and one with the LRT-MRT closing the loop project design with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
again in the picture.
In the past, the MRT-3 borrowed tickets from MRT-2 and LRT-1 rather than recycling the old "Erap tickets", due to the same ticket shortages.
Unlike MRT-3, MRT-2 now has sufficient number of tickets with the arrival of the new tickets and the unified ticketing system between LRT-1 and MRT-2 among stored value users which result to a shorter line in booths compared to its MRT-3 counterparts.
Rolling stock
The MRT-2 runs on heavy rail vehicles made in South KoreaSouth Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
by Hyundai Rotem in a four-car configuration. The trains came in together with the fourth package during the system's construction. Trains have a capacity of 1,628 passengers, which is more than the normal capacity of LRT-1 and MRT-3 rolling stocks.
MRT-2 trains, like their MRT-3 and second generation LRT-1 counterparts, are particularly known for their use of wrap advertising
Wrap advertising
Wrap advertising is the marketing practice of completely or partially covering a vehicle in an advertisement or livery, thus turning it into a mobile billboard. This can be achieved by simply painting the vehicle surface, but it is becoming more common today to use large vinyl sheets as decals...
. A wide variety of advertisements can be seen on MRT-2 trains, of which some include Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, Converse
Converse
Converse is an American shoe company that has been making shoes, lifestyle fashion and athletic apparel since the early 20th century. Converse is one of the earliest pioneers in the sneaker and sporting good industry founded in 1908.- 1908–1941: Early days :...
and Samsung
Samsung
The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
products. Trains bearing wrap advertising are now very common aboard the MRT-2, although trains that use MRT-2's house colors are also in service in the network. The revenues generated from the advertising on MRT-2 trains are used to pay off debts incurred by the LRTA during the system's construction and maintain the rolling stocks and stations of the line.
Depot
The MRT-2 maintains an at-grade depot in Marikina CityMarikina City
Marikina, officially the City of Marikina, known as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, was former capital of the province of Manila during the declaration of Philippine Independence and one of the sixteen cities within the Manila Metropolitan Area. Marikina is part of Eastern Manila District of...
, near Santolan station. It serves as the headquarters for light and heavy maintenance of the MRT-2, as well as the operations of the system in general which includes the operation of the driverless trains. It is connected to the main MRT-2 network by a spur line.
Purple Line Eastern Extension
A 4-kilometer eastern extension of the Purple Line to Masinag in AntipoloAntipolo City
Antipolo is a city in the Philippines located in the province of Rizal; about 25 kilometers east of Manila. It is the largest city in the Calabarzon Region in terms of population...
, Rizal
Rizal
Rizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...
, was proposed. It was approved in principle by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), but the actual proposal is pending before the NEDA secretariat. In the future, the line could be extended as far west as Manila North Harbor and as far east as Cogeo in Antipolo.
Purple Line Western Extension
An 8-kilometer western extension of the Purple Line to Tondo, Manila was proposed. It was approved in principle by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), but the actual proposal is pending before the NEDA secretariat. The construction of this said extension will create one station which will serve people in the Tutuban /Divisoria area.See also
- Department of Transportation and CommunicationsDepartment of Transportation and Communications (Philippines)The Department of Transportation and Communications is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the maintenance and expansion of viable, efficient, and dependable transportation and communications systems as effective instruments for national recovery and economic...
(DOTC) - List of rapid transit systems
- List of Strong Republic Transit System stations
- Manila LRT Yellow LineManila LRT Yellow LineThe Manila LRT Yellow Line is the first metro line of the Manila Light Rail Transit System. Presently, the line contains twenty-two stations and runs over twenty point seven kilometers of fully elevated track...
(Yellow Line) - Manila Metro Rail Transit SystemManila Metro Rail Transit SystemThe Metro Rail Transit is Metro Manila's third rapid transit line. It forms part of the Strong Republic Transit System, which includes the Manila Light Rail Transit System. The line operates under the name Metrostar Express and is colored blue on rail maps.The line is located along the Epifanio de...
(Blue Line) - Manila Light Rail Transit SystemManila Light Rail Transit SystemThe Manila Light Rail Transit System, popularly known as the LRT, is a metropolitan rail system serving the Metro Manila area in the Philippines. Although referred to as a light rail system because it originally used light rail vehicles, it has many characteristics of a rapid transit system, such...
- Light Rail Transit AuthorityLight Rail Transit AuthorityThe Light Rail Transit Authority is a public transport operator that is in charge of operating and maintaining the Manila Light Rail Transit System. Founded on July 12, 1980, it is also responsible for monitoring the progress of construction of all LRT lines...
- Strong Republic Transit SystemStrong Republic Transit SystemThe Strong Republic Transit System was launched to integrate the various rail lines providing public transport in Manila in the Philippines. The program was initiated by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 14, 2003...
(SRTS) - Transportation in the PhilippinesTransportation in the PhilippinesThis article describes the various forms of transportation in the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands.-Vehicles:During this period, there were 50,000 automobiles in the region. The carabao was used as a primary transportation source...