The Light Rail Transit Line 1’s (LRT-1) schedule has been extended by an hour to accommodate more passengers during the holiday season.

In a message, Jacqueline Gorospe, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) head of communications, said the new schedule stems from the multiple feedback from passengers to extend the train service due to the 11 p.m. mall closing hour this holiday season and other Christmas events that usually end late at night.

“Madami kaming nakukuhang feedback or requests na sana i-extend (We are receiving much feedback and requests asking us to extend the schedule) more to accommodate the surge of pax, especially this time around,” Gorospe said.

Some 30,000 more passengers are expected to be accommodated with the extension of the train schedule, which took effect on Wednesday and will end on December 31.

Under the new train schedule, the LRT-1 would send out its first trains from both Baclaran and Roosevelt Stations at 4:30 a.m. while its last trains would leave at 11 p.m. from the Baclaran Station and 11:15 p.m. from the Roosevelt Station.

However, the LRT-1 would retain its original Sunday schedule of 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. northbound (from Baclaran) and 9:45 p.m. southbound (from Roosevelt).

The extended train service would also not be applicable during holidays: December 24 — 8 p.m. last train from Baclaran and Roosevelt; December 25 — 9:30 p.m. last train from Baclaran, 9:45 p.m. from Roosevelt; December 30 — 9:30 p.m. last train from Baclaran, 9:45 p.m. from Roosevelt; and December 31 — 7 p.m. last train from Baclaran and Roosevelt.

In October, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and representatives of Metro Manila malls agreed to open their shopping establishments not earlier than 11 a.m. to help reduce traffic congestion during the holiday season.

Malls are also not allowed to close between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. while mall schedules during weekends remain at the management’s discretion. (PNA)