TRAINS: PNR, LRT AND MRT
They say when you know where the train station is, you can never get lost. The LRT, MRT AND PNR has become a common trademark when commuters ask for direction. It is faster and convenient than their PUV counterparts like the jeepneys and buses, which make these trains more affordable. You don’t want to get stuck on heavy traffic along EDSA or Taft Avenues right? That’s why more people prefer to use trains these days.
The Manila Light Rail Transit System fondly called as the LRT, is a metropolitan rail system serving Metro Manila area. Along with the Metro Manila Rail Transit System (MRT/Blue line) and the PNR, the LRT is part of Metro Manila’s rail transportation infrastructure known as the Strong Republic Transit System (SRTS).
LRT line 1/Yellow line opened in 1984 and travels a North-South route and vice versa. From Monumento it travels south avoiding the rush in Taft Avenues before ending in Baclaran. The more modern LRT line 2/Purple line was completed in 2004 and runs from East-West. It starts from Recto passing through Claro M. Recto and Legarda Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay and Aurora Boulevard, and the Marikina Infanta Highway before reaching the other end of the line at Santolan. The LRT serves the cities of Caloocan, Manila, Marikina, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City and San Juan.
The MRT operates under the name Metrostar Express and is color blue on rail maps. It opened in December 1, 1999 owned by Metro Rail Transit Corporation, operated also by MRTC and DOTC. MRT has 13 stations which are along EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s main thoroughfares. It serves the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Quezon City.
The PNR currently operates in the Metro Manila area along with distant provinces. Far end stations are Alabang in Muntinlupa and Tutuban. Unlike the LRT and MRT, the PNR has 30 minute interval and 1 hour during dead hours. It travels from Muntinlupa, to Sucat, Bicutan and FTI, parts of EDSA and Buendia and Manila. Ordinary trains which are usually the first and the last trips service some towns in Laguna.
There also parts of these trains where they intertwine making it accessible to commuters to transfer without even going out or going even further. Recto and D. Jose serves as the sole interchange between both the lines of LRT. Araneta Center Cubao and EDSA station serves as the interchanges between the LRT networks and the MRT. Blumentrit LRT station is immediately above its PNR counterpart as well as PNR’s EDSA-Magallanes station and MRT’s.
The LRT is open every day of the year from 5:00 am until 10:00 pm on weekdays, and from 5:00 am until 9:30 pm on weekends, except when changes have been announced. Notice of special schedules is given through press releases, via the public address system in every station, and on the LRTA website.
MRT-3 operates from 5:30 AM until 10:00 PM all days a week. It is closed for annual maintenance every Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. At the discretion of its operators, it is also closed during All Saints Day (November 1).
When it comes to security LRT and MRT both have safety notices in both English and Tagalog are common sights at LRT stations and inside LRT trains. Security guards with megaphones can be seen at boarding areas asking crowds to move back from the warning tiles at the edge of platforms to avoid falling onto the tracks. Smoking, previously banned only at station platforms and inside trains, has been banned at station concourse areas since June 24, 2008. Hazardous chemicals, such as paint and gasoline, as well as sharp pointed objects that could be used as weapons, are forbidden.Full-sized bicycles and skateboards are also not allowed on board the LRT, although the ban on folding bicycleswas lifted on November 8, 2009. Those under the influence of alcohol may be denied entry into the stations. Since May 1, 2007, the LRTA has enforced a policy against making false bomb threats, a policy already enforced at airports nationwide. Those who make such threats can face penalties in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1727, as well as face legal action. So you might as well hold back when you are trying to make fun with guards. Remember the kidding about explosives in the stations may put you in trouble.
These trains also have the least expensive fares. Its distance based. For LRT and MRT fare may start from 12 up to 20 pesos depending on the distance. PNR on the other hand has a range of 10 pesos up to 20. They also give discounts to the senior citizens and the disabled.
So if you want to get to your destination fast without spending a lot of money you might want to use the trains we have here in the Metro
The Manila Light Rail Transit System fondly called as the LRT, is a metropolitan rail system serving Metro Manila area. Along with the Metro Manila Rail Transit System (MRT/Blue line) and the PNR, the LRT is part of Metro Manila’s rail transportation infrastructure known as the Strong Republic Transit System (SRTS).
LRT line 1/Yellow line opened in 1984 and travels a North-South route and vice versa. From Monumento it travels south avoiding the rush in Taft Avenues before ending in Baclaran. The more modern LRT line 2/Purple line was completed in 2004 and runs from East-West. It starts from Recto passing through Claro M. Recto and Legarda Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay and Aurora Boulevard, and the Marikina Infanta Highway before reaching the other end of the line at Santolan. The LRT serves the cities of Caloocan, Manila, Marikina, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City and San Juan.
The MRT operates under the name Metrostar Express and is color blue on rail maps. It opened in December 1, 1999 owned by Metro Rail Transit Corporation, operated also by MRTC and DOTC. MRT has 13 stations which are along EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s main thoroughfares. It serves the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Quezon City.
The PNR currently operates in the Metro Manila area along with distant provinces. Far end stations are Alabang in Muntinlupa and Tutuban. Unlike the LRT and MRT, the PNR has 30 minute interval and 1 hour during dead hours. It travels from Muntinlupa, to Sucat, Bicutan and FTI, parts of EDSA and Buendia and Manila. Ordinary trains which are usually the first and the last trips service some towns in Laguna.
There also parts of these trains where they intertwine making it accessible to commuters to transfer without even going out or going even further. Recto and D. Jose serves as the sole interchange between both the lines of LRT. Araneta Center Cubao and EDSA station serves as the interchanges between the LRT networks and the MRT. Blumentrit LRT station is immediately above its PNR counterpart as well as PNR’s EDSA-Magallanes station and MRT’s.
The LRT is open every day of the year from 5:00 am until 10:00 pm on weekdays, and from 5:00 am until 9:30 pm on weekends, except when changes have been announced. Notice of special schedules is given through press releases, via the public address system in every station, and on the LRTA website.
MRT-3 operates from 5:30 AM until 10:00 PM all days a week. It is closed for annual maintenance every Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. At the discretion of its operators, it is also closed during All Saints Day (November 1).
When it comes to security LRT and MRT both have safety notices in both English and Tagalog are common sights at LRT stations and inside LRT trains. Security guards with megaphones can be seen at boarding areas asking crowds to move back from the warning tiles at the edge of platforms to avoid falling onto the tracks. Smoking, previously banned only at station platforms and inside trains, has been banned at station concourse areas since June 24, 2008. Hazardous chemicals, such as paint and gasoline, as well as sharp pointed objects that could be used as weapons, are forbidden.Full-sized bicycles and skateboards are also not allowed on board the LRT, although the ban on folding bicycleswas lifted on November 8, 2009. Those under the influence of alcohol may be denied entry into the stations. Since May 1, 2007, the LRTA has enforced a policy against making false bomb threats, a policy already enforced at airports nationwide. Those who make such threats can face penalties in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1727, as well as face legal action. So you might as well hold back when you are trying to make fun with guards. Remember the kidding about explosives in the stations may put you in trouble.
These trains also have the least expensive fares. Its distance based. For LRT and MRT fare may start from 12 up to 20 pesos depending on the distance. PNR on the other hand has a range of 10 pesos up to 20. They also give discounts to the senior citizens and the disabled.
So if you want to get to your destination fast without spending a lot of money you might want to use the trains we have here in the Metro