If you ride LRT-2 and have wondered when it will get better: the government's answer is, in part, "not for at least three years."
The Department of Transportation on Friday, Oct. 9, said it is considering special permits that would let public utility buses carry passengers along the Antipolo-to-Recto route, with designated stops at LRT-2 stations during peak hours, according to the Daily Tribune's Maria Bernadette Romero. DOTr told the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) to study the idea.
The numbers behind the crowding
Per the Tribune, LRT-2 has 10 trains, of which 8 are deployed. One is undergoing a Train Operating Control Panel upgrade and another is under repair. The LRTA says the overcrowding stems from insufficient train capacity amid rising ridership, not from technical disruptions. Queues at stations are longer, especially at rush hour. The article says the shortage could prolong overcrowding and delays for at least three more years.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said: "We understand the difficulties faced by commuters using the LRT-2."
What DOTr has not said
This is where the announcement thins out. According to the Tribune, no decision has been made on how many buses, which operators, or when. The LTFRB and LRTA will assess service arrangements, fare structures and compliance with franchising rules. The government is "working to secure funding" for new trains, but no amount, source or delivery date is given. Ridership figures and train frequency are not reported either.
So the three-year warning is the only firm number in the plan, and it describes how long commuters will wait, not when relief arrives.
What it means if you commute on LRT-2
Nothing changes yet. No bus permits have been issued, and fares for any bus service on the corridor have not been set. Until a decision is announced, expect the current crowding at peak hours; leaving earlier or off-peak, where you can, is the practical workaround. Pulpulitiko will report when the LTFRB and LRTA publish their findings.
Context
Fare increases for jeepneys and buses took effect on Sept. 28, as covered earlier by Pulpulitiko, adding to household transport costs amid 7.2% inflation. A rail line with two trains out of service is a public infrastructure problem, and funding for replacements is a public spending decision that has yet to be made.
Sources
- Daily Tribune, Maria Bernadette Romero, "DOTr eyes bus permits as LRT-2 train shortage bites," Oct. 9, 2026 — https://tribune.net.ph/2026/10/09/dotr-eyes-bus-permits-as-lrt-2-train-shortage-bites
