LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension to Reduce Travel Time from 1 Hour to 25 Minutes

It got delayed for two decades--and passed three administrations before its construction started. Still, the long wait is finally over. Last Tuesday, May 7, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade led officials from the DOTr, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Light Rail Manila Corp (LRMC) and project partners to witness the official start of construction of the LRT Line 1 Cavite extension.

Secretary Tugade expressed his support for the project, and explained that the two-year delay was the result of factors such as right of way issues, relocation of various utilities, and acquisition of light rail vehicles.

The LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension is a major infrastructure from Cavite to Greater Manila and is part of President Duterte's 'Build, Build, Build' Program.

The project will stretch the existing line from20 kilometers to 32.4 kilometers,  adding in around 11.7 kilometers. It will also include eight brand new stations from its last station in Baclaran (crossing the cities of Parañaque and Las Piñas, leading to the city of Bacoor in Cavite), and will be located at Redemptorist, MIA MIA, Asiaworld, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog.

Secretary Tugade also added that partial operations from Baclaran to Dr. Santos station is expected to be finished by the 4th quarter of 2021.

Tugade also added that traveling from Baclaran to Cavite will be shortened to 25 minutes instead of the usual 1 hour and 10 minutes of travel time. They also plan to double the average daily ridership, from the current 458,000 to around 800,000 commuters.