The Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) will temporarily reduce its operating hours due to a lack of manpower.
The decision was made after the increase in the number of LRT-2 personnel who got infected of COVID-19.
In a statement, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) stated that the line will operate between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from April 17 to 30. This amounts to approximately five hours less than its normal operating hours.
“Consistent with the guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases, our management opted to shorten the operating hours so as to help us prevent the further spread of the virus and avoid the possible paralysis of our operations in case the numbers continue to surge,” LRTA Administrator Reynaldo Berroya said.
According to its data, 273 of the 1,906 LRT-2 employees were positive for COVID-19 as of April 14.
Berroya added that only 56 percent are able to work among ticket management and sales collection staff whereas only 73 percent of train drivers are deployable. About 68 percent of other station personnel are available.
The rest of the personnel are under quarantine due to COVID-19 infection or exposure.
“We have already isolated all the infected or exposed personnel, have implemented work-from-home arrangements for depot workers, revisited train ventilation and air-flow protocols, and ensured that all minimum public health standards are complied with at all times to avoid the further spread of the virus,” Berroya highlighted.
Buses plying Route 9 (Antipolo to Cubao) and Route 10 (Cubao to Doroteo Jose) will help accommodate affected passengers.
Berroya said that LRT-2 operations will still be effectively managed despite the labour shortage.
The normal operating schedule of LRT-2 is expected to resume on May 1, the administration said.
