Gov't planning to extend LRT Line 2

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said on Thursday it wanted to increase by another six kilometers the 13.8-kilometer Line 2 extension project to serve more commuters. The firm said it will ask bidders for the project to extend the line. "We intend to extend it eastward to Masinag and westward going to Pier. That way, we will be able to transport more passengers," said LRTA administrator Mel Robles. Line 2, dubbed as Megatren, is a 13.8 kilometer line with 11 stations: Santolan; Katipunan, which will be the first and only underground airconditioned station; Anonas; Araneta Center-Cubao; Betty Go-Belmonte; J. Ruiz; Gilmore; V. Mapa; Pureza; Legarda; and Recto. Robles said four more kilometers to the east will extend Line 2 to Masinag, Antipolo. An additional two more kilometers to the west is also being mulled by the agency so that Line 2 will run all the way to Pier. Once completed, the railway system will be able to handle an additional 100,000 passengers from the current 170,000 passengers, said Robles. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and two Chinese groups have already expressed interest to undertake the P9-billion LRT line 2 extension project, which will also include additional coaches. The LRTA official also requested the Department of Transportation and Communications to include the extension of the LRT 2 in the department's list of priority projects. The Line 2 was built through the Overseas Development Assistance of Japan (ODAP) at the cost of P31 billion in soft loans from JBIC. The amount includes a P10 billion funding from the Philippine government. - GMANews.TV