Getting rides along Marcos Highway remains challenging amid limited LRT2 ops

Regular riders of LRT2 in Santolan Station in Pasig City still had to get up earlier than usual and endure long lines as the train system only resumed partial operations on Tuesday.

According to a report by Darlene Cay on GMA News' Unang Balita, the jeepneys on Marcos Highway en route to Cubao were already jam-packed with passengers as early as 4 a.m.

"Sobrang hirap po. Doble po 'yung oras ng pag-commute ko po ngayon. Mas maaga po akong umalis ngayon dahil ang hirap na pong sumakay ngayon 4 a.m. pa lang eh," a commuter said.

In a separate report by Mark Makalalad on Dobol B sa News TV, security guards and traffic enforcers were seen assisting passengers in Santolan lining up for rides to Cubao.

Mga pasahero ng @OfficialLRTA sa Santolan, problemado dahil sa hirap makahanap ng masasakyan. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/UIU4tvDJn5

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) October 7, 2019

LRT2 stations from Santolan to Anonas remained inoperable after a fire hit two of the train system's rectifiers last week.

The Light Rail Transit Authority said LRT2 operations resumed partially on Tuesday, servicing only the Cubao to Recto route and back.

Authorities previously said the restoration of full operations may take nine months.

The affected train riders lamented that their usual five- to 10-minute trip to work and school was extended to not less than one hour due to the LRT2 issue.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard offered free rides to the public.

Eighty buses with special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board and 40 modern public utility vehicles were also deployed to give commuters more options for transportation.

However, their deployment was seen to have contributed to the heavier traffic observed on the busy Marcos Highway. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News