Phase 1 of LRT-1 Cavite Extension opening soon

Excitement is building up for residents of the southern part of the Metro Manila as Phase 1 of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension will partially open within November.

Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the rail line’s additional five stations—Redemptorist-ASEANA, MIA Road, PITX, Ninoy Aquino Ave., and Dr. Santos Stations—will help alleviate vehicle gridlock in Metro Manila’s southern area.

“We will open this line maybe the next two to three weeks, but this is in November. We hope that this opening of the extension will help alleviate traffic as it will be able to support additional thousands of passengers taking LRT line 1,” Sec. Bautista said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

The first railway project to be completed under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Sec. Bautista said the completion of the project is an “early Christmas gift to the residents of the area” affected by the project.

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) General Manager Enrico R. Benipayo confirmed the partial opening “surely within the month of November.”

With the additional alignment, the stretch of LRT-1 will be extended to 26 kilometers from the current 20 kilometers, according to GM Benipayo.

The LRMC executive likewise said the LRT-1’s additional operational capacity of 80,000 passengers once the extension is already serviceable. He added that by 2029, the LRT-1 is expected to service 650,000 passengers daily.

Currently, the rail line services 320,000 passengers a day.

On the other hand, Sec. Bautista stressed the economic benefits of the project specifically in Pasay and Parañaque Cities, adding that travel time will be reduced between Baclaran Station and Dr. Santos Station by 30 minutes.

Once fully operational, the entire stretch of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project will reduce travel time from Baclaran in Paranaque to Bacoor, Cavite to 25 minutes.

The 11.7-kilometer rail extension is expected to increase its ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers.