LRT Line 2

The Light Rail Transit Line 2, also known as LRT Line 2, LRT-2 or Megatren, is a heavy rail rapid transit line in Metro Manila in the Philippines, generally running in an east–west direction along the Radial Road 6 and a portion of the Circumferential Road 1, referred to as the Purple Line, and previously known as the Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 or MRT Line 2 (MRT-2).

LRT Line 2
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerLight Rail Transit Authority
Line number2
LocaleMetro Manila & Rizal, Philippines
Termini
Stations13
WebsiteOfficial website
Service
TypeRapid transit / Heavy rail
SystemManila Light Rail Transit System
Services1
Operator(s)Light Rail Transit Authority
Depot(s)Santolan, Pasig
Rolling stockLRTA 2000 class
Daily ridership138,455 (2023)
Ridership49,428,645 (2023)
History
OpenedApril 5, 2003 (2003-04-05)
Last extensionJuly 5, 2021 (2021-07-05)
Technical
Line length17.6 km (10.9 mi)
Number of tracksDouble-track
CharacterElevated
Underground
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Loading gauge4,300 mm × 3,354 mm (14 ft 1.3 in × 11 ft 0 in)
Minimum radiusMainline: 175 m (574 ft)
Depot: 100 m (330 ft)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead lines
Operating speed60–70 km/h (37–43 mph)
SignallingWestinghouse fixed block ATC
Highest elevation45 m (148 ft) at Antipolo station
Maximum incline5%
Average inter-station distance1.28 km (0.80 mi)
Route map

Antipolo
Marikina–Pasig
Santolan
Santolan Depot
Marikina River
Katipunan
Anonas
Quirino Highway - FTI
 NAIA Terminal 3
 MMS 
Araneta Center–Cubao
North Avenue - Taft Avenue
Betty Go-Belmonte
Gilmore
J. Ruiz
San Juan River
V. Mapa
FTI / Alabang / Calamba
Pureza
Legarda
University Avenue
Recto
Roosevelt - Baclaran - Niog
Valenzuela - Gov. Pascual
approved
extension
Tutuban
Divisoria
Pier 4

Though operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority, resulting in it being called as "LRT-2", it is in fact heavy rail. Instead of the light rail vehicles used in earlier lines, it uses very large metro cars, longer and wider than those used on the PNR network, and roughly the same size as those used on the MTR in Hong Kong, MRT in Bangkok and Singapore, and the heavy metro lines of the Taipei Metro. Until the opening of MRT Line 7 (MRT-7) in 2025 and the Metro Manila Subway (MMS) in 2027, it is the country's only line using these types of trains.

Envisioned in the 1970s, as part of the Metropolitan Manila Strategic Mass Rail Transit Development Plan, the thirteen-station, 17.6-kilometer (10.9 mi) line was the third rapid transit line to be built in Metro Manila when it started operations in 2003. The line became the first rapid transit line extending outside the Metro Manila area after its extension to Antipolo, Rizal opened in 2021. It is operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Serving close to 200,000 passengers daily before the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the line is the least busy among Metro Manila's three rapid transit lines, and was built with standards such as barrier-free access and the use of magnetic card tickets to facilitate passenger access in mind. Total ridership however is significantly below the line's built maximum capacity, with various solutions being proposed or implemented to increase ridership in addition to the planned extensions to the line. However, the short-term solutions have had a minimal effect on ridership, and experts have insisted that the extensions be built immediately, despite pronouncements that the system is steadily increasing ridership each year. Regardless, the line encounters periods of peak ridership during rush hour in the morning and the evening.

The line is integrated with the public transit system in Metro Manila, and passengers also take various forms of road-based public transport, such as buses and jeepneys, to and from a station to reach their intended destination. Although the line aimed to reduce traffic congestion and travel times along R-6 and portions of C-1, the transportation system has only been partially successful due to the rising number of motor vehicles and rapid urbanization. Expanding the network's revenue line to accommodate more passengers is set on tackling this problem.

Future plans include a three-station westbound extension in Manila by 2024 and another proposed eastbound extension from Antipolo station in Masinag towards Cogeo and downtown Antipolo.

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