The Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) announced on Friday the possibility of implementing limited operations from Cubao to Recto and back anytime next week.

LRTA administrator Reynaldo Berroya said this was due to the severe damage of the two rectifier substations.

“Test runs and safety checks of all equipment and facilities such as signaling, communications, power and trains should be completed before we can partially operate,” Berroya said.

However, the operations from Santolan to Anonas and back will still be unavailable at a maximum of nine months as the replacement of the damaged rectifier substations necessitates a highly-technical intervention.

Its replacement needs to undergo the processes of procurement, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning which will take ample time to complete.

Berroya said the cause of the incident is still being investigated and commissioning engineers from the United States involved in the design and installation of the existing rectifier substations will arrive to help in the ongoing probe.

With the operations from Santolan to Anonas still temporarily suspended, buses from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Coast Guard are deployed to ferry the affected passengers during peak hours.

Meanwhile, coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), MMDA and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) were done to temporarily allow buses and AUV’s to ply an out-of-line route at the stations where operations are still suspended.

The initial estimated damages cost of the system is about PHP428 million.

Berroya thanked the DOTr and various government agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, MMDA and LTFRB, after the incident.

He also appeals for understanding and patience from the riding public and assured that LRTA will exhaust all efforts to fast-track the repair and upgrade of the system as several modernization and rehabilitation projects are underway. (PNA)