LRT-1 Cavite Extension Set to Open, Enhancing Commuter Experience and Cutting Travel Time

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will announce the partial opening of the eagerly anticipated LRT-1 Cavite Extension this month, marking a significant milestone in transportation.

The first phase of the extension will begin operations on November 16, marking the start of a significant improvement in commuting for thousands of passengers in Metro Manila and the southern provinces.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista confirmed the opening of the first segment, which will stretch the LRT-1 line from Baclaran Station in Pasay City to Dr. Santos Station (formerly Sucat Station) in Parañaque City. 

This expansion will add five new stations to the LRT-1 network, including Redemptorist, MIA Road, PITX (Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange), Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. A. Santos, extending the line by an additional 6 kilometers, from 20 kilometers to 26 kilometers.

Daily commuters, especially those heading to and from the rapidly expanding Cavite area, will benefit greatly from the extension.

Once fully operational, the extension is expected to reduce commute times by up to 30 minutes, significantly easing the burden on passengers who currently face heavy traffic congestion in the southern Metro Manila corridor. 

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private consortium that operates the LRT-1, estimates that the daily ridership will increase by 80,000 passengers, making it the busiest rail line in the Philippines.

“This is a historic achievement as it is the first railway project completed under the Marcos administration, and it will greatly benefit commuters in Metro Manila and Cavite. With this extension, we are not just expanding the capacity of the LRT-1 but also improving the overall efficiency of the transportation system,” said Bautista during a press briefing. 

In addition to improving mobility, the extension also promises to reduce congestion at the Baclaran terminal, allowing passengers to travel further south without the need to transfer to buses at the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), a key transportation hub that connects Metro Manila to various provinces.

The project will be rolled out in phases, with future expansions planned to extend the line further south to Las Piñas and ultimately to Bacoor, Cavite. 

As the country braces for the holiday rush in December, the opening of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension offers hope for smoother, faster, and more predictable travel for thousands of Metro Manila commuters.