The Philippines saw its first railway system back in the 1890s, the line extending from Manila to Dagupan in Pangasinan, covering 195 kilometers. Officially called the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan, it served as the bridge between the capital to the towns in the north of Luzon. More than a century later, modernized train systems are all over the country, serving different key areas and making business and trade more convenient and efficient.
In this article, we will explore the different railway systems in the Philippines, where they operate, how many stations there are for each, and all other facts you need to know.
Light Rail Transit (LRT) System
Popularly called the LRT, this transport infrastructure has two operational lines, Line 1 and Line 2. The Manila LRT is the first metro system in Southeast Asia. Both lines serve more than a hundred thousand passengers every day. Line 1 opened to the public in 1984, while Line 2 welcomed passengers in 2003.
LRT-1
Stretching over 20 kilometers, the elevated LRT-1 connects two cities in the capital region, Pasay and Caloocan City. There are 113 trains currently operating, accommodating half a million passengers daily and running at a maximum speed of 60 kph. Here are more important things you should know about the LRT-1:
LRT-1 Stations
There are currently 20 LRT-1 train terminals. Here’s the full LRT-1 station list, outlined with popular residential buildings as landmark guides:
- Baclaran. Crowne Bay Tower, VM Tower, and Chateau de Baie. (Check out these houses for sale near Baclaran.)
- EDSA. Avida Towers Taft and Coast Residences (Find rental properties near EDSA LRT 1 station by clicking here.)
- Libertad. Melbourne Residences and Breeze Residences (Located near Libertad station are these properties that are available for rent.)
- Gil Puyat. Studio Zen and La Verti Residences (Find a wide range of rental properties near Gil Puyat by clicking here.)
- Vito Cruz. One Taft Residences, Plumeria Heights, and The Manila Residences (These properties for sale near Vito Cruz are in close proximity to schools and places of work.)
- Quirino. Kizuna Heights, Imperial Bayfront Tower, and Victoria de Manila (If you prefer to rent places near Quirino station, check these out.)
- Pedro Gil. Suntrust Solana and Vista GL Taft (You have plenty of options when it comes to renting properties near Pedro Gil.)
- United Nations. Mayfair Tower, Torre de Manila, Suntrust Parkview (Condos for rent near United Nations are either furnished or not.)
- Central Terminal. Vista Recto and Victoria de Hidalgo (Live in the heart of Manila by moving to these condos for rent near Central Terminal.)
- Carriedo. Amaia Skies Avenida and Escolta Twin Towers (Carriedo properties for rent will bring you closer to schools and work places in Manila.)
- Doroteo Jose. Chateau Lorraine (Experience convenience by renting these properties near Doroteo Jose.)
- Bambang. Urban Pod Apartment (Score rental properties near Bambang by clicking here.)
- Tayuman. Celadon Park and Avida San Lazaro (For families seeking houses for sale near Tayuman, click here.)
- Blumentritt. Morrison Heights (Stay in these properties for rent in Blumentritt in order to be close to numerous establishments.)
- Abad Santos. Urban Deca Homes Manila (Find great deals on properties for sale near Abad Santos by clicking here.)
- R. Papa. (You can buy houses for sale near R. Papa by searching Lamudi.)
- 5th Avenue. The Signature (Be a renter in select properties found near 5th Avenue.)
- Monumento. Torre de Florencia (Whether you require commercial or residential properties near Monumento, you can find them here.)
- Balintawak. Avida Towers Cloverleaf and The Celandine (Choose from these properties for sale near Balintawak.)
- Roosevelt. Grass Residences and Zinnia Towers (Get good deals for rental properties near Roosevelt by clicking here.)
LRT-1 Stations Interesting Facts
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- Baclaran LRT Station is the nearest station to the line’s depot, where the trains are stored and maintained.
- EDSA Station is connected to the Taft Avenue station via Metro Point Mall, allowing commuters to transfer from one train line to another.
- Carriedo Station is the only station on the entire LRT-1 line that has a canopy roof. The rest are fully-roofed.
- Central Terminal, Manila is one of the few stations in the train system that allows riders to board the train going in the opposite direction without paying a new fare, all thanks to the station’s layout. The other stations that permit this are Carriedo, Roosevelt, and Balintawak stations.
- Bambang Station is the most popular jump-off point for the best ukay-ukay stores in Manila.
LRT-1 Extensions
From the initial 20-kilometer stretch, the train system will have an additional 11.7 kilometers of new elevated railway, increasing the number of areas included in the LRT station list. The Cavite Extension Project will have eight stations, which will be in Redemptorist, Manila International Airport, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Dr. Santos Avenue, Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog in Bacoor. On top of this, there are plans to include stations in Manuyo Uno in Las Piñas and Talaba in Bacoor.
LRT-1 Operating Hours
The LRT-1 train schedule is as follows:
- The first train leaves at 4:30AM.
- The last train from the first station Baclaran departs at 9:15PM, and at 9:30PM from the last station Roosevelt.
- The LRT-1 hours change at certain times of the year. Usually, the schedule shortens during the Holy Week, and extends during the Christmas season, with the LRT’s closing time reaching as late as 11PM.
LRT-1 Fare Matrix
The regular fare in LRT-1 ranges from P15 to P30. The stored value, on the other hand, ranges from P11 to P29. Here’s the LRT-1 fare matrix:
LRT-1 Extension Updates
The LRT-1 is currently under an extension project, also known as the LRT-1 Cavite extension, stretching the railway from the Baclaran station to Bacoor in Cavite. Last January, Inquirer reported that the project was already halfway finished, due to partially operate by the end of the year. Once operational, the railway system will cut travel time from Manila to Cavite from an hour to 25 minutes. From 500,000, the accommodation capacity of the transport infrastructure expands to 800,000 passengers a day.
LRT-2
A 15-kilometer elevated railway system, this line connects two Metro Manila cities, Pasig and Manila, traversing key locations in the region. It serves about 200,000 passengers daily running at a maximum speed of 60 kph. Here are other important things you should know about LRT-2:
LRT-2 Stations
There are currently 11 LRT-2 stations, spread across key locations. They are summarized here below, along with popular residential communities as landmark guides:
- Santolan. Satori Residences and Mirea Residences (If you are interested in rental properties near Santolan, click here.)
- Katipunan. One Katipunan Residences and Blue Residences (For families looking for properties for sale near Katipunan, browse these listings.)
- Anonas. Escalades East Tower (Check out the numerous condos for rent near Anonas station.)
- Araneta Center-Cubao. Amaia Skies Cubao, Manhattan Heights, Vivaldi Residences Cubao (Experience convenience in these Araneta Center-Cubao condos for rent.)
- Betty Go-Belmonte. Pine Crest and The Magnolia Residences (Renters may avail of these condominiums near the Betty Go-Belmonte station.)
- J. Ruiz. Little Baguio Terraces and Valencia Hills Condominium (Whether you’re looking for houses or condos for sale, you can find them near J. Ruiz station.)
- Gilmore. Suntrust Asmara and Skyline Premiere (Check out these properties for sale in the New Manila area located near Gilmore.)
- V. Mapa. The Silk Residences and Maui Oasis (Find listings of rental properties near V. Mapa by clicking here.)
- Pureza. Tennyson Heights (Get a place you can call your own by checking out these properties for sale near Pureza.)
- Legarda. Covent Garden Condominium, University Tower, and 878 España (Students and employees will appreciate these places for rent near Legarda)
- Recto. Vista Recto and Noble Place (Stay near the University Belt when you get these rental properties near Recto.)
LRT-2 Stations Interesting Facts
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- Katipunan Station is the first and only underground air-conditioned station along the LRT-2 route.
- Legarda Station is the most popular station among students since it’s close to academic institutions like the University of the East, San Sebastian College, San Beda University, and Centro Escolar University.
- Recto LRT Station is the first and the last station for commuters headed to and from Antipolo, respectively.
LRT-2 Extensions
Similar to the LRT-1, the LRT-2 has undergone extension works. From the initial15-kilometer railway, the train system stretched further for 3.8 kilometers towards Antipolo. The East Extension Project added two more stations: Antipolo along Masinag and Marikina–Pasig in Marikina.
The addition of these stations expanded the capacity of the system, bringing in 80,000 more passengers daily. Travel time between Recto in Manila and Masinag in Antipolo, the two ends of the railway, will be reduced to 40 minutes.
Plans to extend the railway system to the West are also underway. The West Extension Project will add three more kilometers of railway and three more stations to the LRT2 route. The stations include Tutuban, Divisoria, and Pier 4.
LRT-2 Operating Hours
The LRT-2 time schedule is as follows:
- The first train leaves at 5:00 AM. The LRT-2’s last trip is at 8:30PM at Santolan, and at 9:00 PM from the last station Recto.
- Similar to LRT-1, the train system shortens its operations during Holy Week and extends during the Christmas season.
LRT-2 Fare Matrix
The regular fare in LRT-2 ranges from P15 to P25 depending on the covered distance between LRT-2 stations. The stored value, on the other hand, ranges from P11 to P24. Here’s the LRT-2 fare matrix:
LRT-2 Extension Updates
Similar to the LRT-1, the LRT-2 has undergone extension works. The transport infrastructure was stretched to accommodate two more stations in Marikina and Antipolo. They were supposed to begin operations last April 2021, but it was postponed to June because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The addition of these stations expanded the capacity of the system, bringing in 80,000 more passengers daily. Travel time between Recto in Manila and Masinag in Antipolo, the two ends of the railway, will be reduced to 40 minutes.
Metro Rail Transit (MRT) System
Popularly called the MRT, the transport infrastructure has one line currently in operation, another under construction, and another that will be built soon. The one that’s presently running called the MRT-3 opened in 1999. Over the last years, the government has procured MRT new trains to accommodate the growing demands of the riding public.
MRT-3
Stretching over 16 kilometers, this train system primarily serves the key cities of Metro Manila, as the MRT route connects the north and south of the capital region. The original ridership capacity of the train was 350,000 per day, but in 2016, it peaked to half a million, as the travel time of trains increased. A total of 21 MRT trains operate in the transport infrastructure.
MRT-3 Stations
There are currently 13 train stops in the MRT system. Here’s the full MRT-3 station list, outlined with popular residential buildings as landmark guides:
- North Avenue. Orean Place at Vertis North, Avida Towers Sola and High Park at Vertis North (Check out some properties for rent located near the North Avenue MRT station)
- Quezon Avenue. Skyvillas at One Balete and Zinnia Towers (Browse listings of houses and condos for sale near Quezon Avenue by clicking here)
- GMA Kamuning. Glam Residences and The Symphony Towers by Vista Residences (Here are properties worth buying near GMA Kamuning.)
- Araneta Center-Cubao. Amaia Skies Cubao, Manhattan Heights, Vivaldi Residences Cubao (To stay near Araneta Center-Cubao, you can opt to stay in these houses for rent.)
- Santolan Annapolis. Avida Towers New Manila Chimes Greenhills (The Santolan Annapolis station is in close proximity to these properties for rent.)
- Ortigas. One Shangri-La Place and Residences at the Galleon (Stay close to your place of work by checking these condos for sale near Ortigas)
- Shaw Boulevard. Zitan, The Address at Wack Wack, and Shang Residences (Located near Shaw Boulevard are some properties that are worth buying.)
- Boni. Pioneer Woodlands, Pines Peak Tower, and Light Residences (People working near Boni can check out these condominiums for rent.)
- Guadalupe. Brio Tower, View Residences, and Guadalupe Mansions (These apartments for rent are conveniently located near the Guadalupe station.)
- Buendia. Rock Fort Boutique Residences and CEO Flats Jupiter (Looking for a place to rent near Buendia? Check out these properties.)
- Ayala. Park Terraces and Garden Towers (Live in the heart of Makati by buying these houses near Ayala.)
- Magallanes. The Shang Grand Tower and San Lorenzo Place (Move into these properties for rent located near Magallanes.)
- Taft Avenue. One Metropolitan Place and City Garden Townhomes (Apartments for rent near Taft Avenue will let you live near schools and places of work.)
The last station of the MRT-3 is connected to LRT1’s EDSA station via Metropoint Mall.
MRT-3 Stations Interesting Facts
- North Avenue Station is the closest station to the MRT-3’s underground depot, where the trains are kept and maintained.
- Quezon Avenue Station is one of the few train stops in Metro Manila that is directly linked to a shopping mall. It’s connected to Centris Station and Centris Walk shopping centers within the integrated township of Eton Centris.
- Araneta Center-Cubao Station is named after Araneta City, a mixed-use estate that hosts popular shopping malls, namely Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza.
- Taft Avenue Station provides access to the LRT-1 train system, allowing commuters to conveniently reach Roosevelt and Baclaran LRT stations.
MRT-3 Operating Hours
The MRT-3 time schedule is as follows:
- The first trip at North Avenue station is at 4:37AM.
- The first trip at Taft Avenue is at 5:17AM.
- The last trip at North Avenue station is at 9:30PM.
- The last trip at Taft Avenue is at 10:10PM.
- The MRT-3 hours change at certain times of the year. Usually, the schedule shortens during the Holy Week, and extends during the Christmas season.
MRT-3 Fare Matrix
The regular fare in MRT-3 ranges from P13 to P28 depending on the covered distance between MRT stations. Calculate your single journey ticket price by using this platform.
MRT Construction Updates
As mentioned earlier, the MRT system is about to have two more lines in the next few years. The one under construction is the MRT-7 train, with the civil works beginning in 2017. It’s expected to run full operations in December 2022 and serve 300,000 to 850,000 passengers daily. The rapid transit line extends almost 23 kilometers, connecting the province of Bulacan and Quezon City. Below are the 14 MRT-7 train stations:
- North Avenue
- Quezon Memorial Circle
- University Avenue
- Tandang Sora
- Don Antonio
- Batasan
- Manggahan
- Doña Carmen
- Regalado
- Mindanao Avenue
- Quirino
- Sacred Heart
- Tala
- San Jose del Monte
Meanwhile, the MRT line that will be constructed in 2023 is the MRT-4. It’s expected to accommodate 220,000 passengers daily. Connecting the province of Rizal to the capital region, the 15-kilometer MRT-4 line has these 11 stations:
- Bonny Serrano
- Greenhills
- Edsa
- Meralco
- Tiendesitas
- Rosario
- St. Joseph
- Cainta
- San Juan
- Tikling
- Manila East Road
PNR Metro Commuter Line
This train system operated by the Philippine National Railways has two metro commuter lines, namely Metro North Commuter and Metro South Commuter, as well as shuttle services servicing key cities in the capital region. Metro North and Metro South meet in Tutuban station in Tondo, Manila. Last January 2021, there were new PNR trains sourced abroad, boosting the passenger capacity of the train transport infrastructure.
Metro North Commuter Line
The Metro North Commuter Line extends from Tutuban to Governor Pascual in Malabon. The government has plans to extend the railway line up to Valenzuela, which will bring up daily passenger capacity to 120,000 if the project pushes through.
Metro North Commuter Line Stations
There are six stations in the Metro North Commuter Line:
- Tutuban
- Solis
- C-3
- Asistio Avenue
- Caloocan/Sangandaan
- Governor Pascual
The Governor Pascual-Bicutan Shuttle Service, which services the northern areas as well, has these stations:
- Governor Pascual
- Sangandaan
- Asistio Avenue
- 5th Avenue
- Solis
- Blumentritt
- Laong Laan
- España
- Santa Mesa
- Pandacan
- Paco
- San Andres
- Vito Cruz
- Dela Rosa
- Pasay Road
- EDSA
- Nichols
- FTI
- Bicutan
Metro North Commuter Line Operating Hours
The Metro North Commuter Line roughly begins operations at 4AM and ends at 8PM. The exact time schedule is as follows:
Metro South Commuter Line
Meanwhile, the Metro South Commuter Line stretches from Tutuban to IRRI in Los Baños, Laguna. There’s a shuttle service that runs across the south area as well, serving different provinces.
Metro South Commuter Line Stations
- Tutuban
- Blumentritt
- Laon Laan
- España
- Sta. Mesa
- Pandacan
- Paco
- San Andres
- Vito Cruz
- Buendia
- Pasay Road
- EDSA
- Nichols
- FTI
- Bicutan
- Sucat
- Alabang
- Muntinlupa
- San Pedro
- Pacita MG
- Golden City
- Biñan
- Sta. Rosa
- Cabuyao
- Mamatid
- Calamba
There’s also an Alabang-IRRI Shuttle service in the south, which has these stations:
- Alabang
- Muntinlupa
- San Pedro
- Biñan
- Sta. Rosa
- Cabuyao
- Mamatid
- Calamba
- Pansol
- Masili
- Los Baños
- College
- IRRI
Metro South Commuter Line Operating Hours
The Metro South Commuter Line begins operations at 5:16AM and ends at 10:54PM. The exact time schedule is as follows:
Metro South Commuter Line Fare Matrix
The regular fare in MRT-3 ranges from P15 to P60. Refer to this fare matrix table for a complete guide:
Metro Commuter Line Construction Updates
The PNR railway system will be expanded further with the addition of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), popularly known as the Clark-Calamba Railway. Consisting of stations traversing three provinces, the 148-kilometer line stretches from New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac to Calamba, Laguna, passing through Bulacan and Metro Manila.
The North-South Commuter Railway project has three construction phases: Phase 1 is from Malolos to Tutuban, Phase 2 covers Malolos to Clark, and finally, Phase 3 extends from Manila to Calamba.
Metro Manila Subway
Dubbed as the “project of the century,” the Metro Manila Subway is the country’s first underground railway system. The excavation work will start in the fourth quarter of 2021, with the expected completion of the first phase of the project in 2023 or 2024.
Metro Manila Subway Stations
This 36-kilometer underground train system will host 17 stations in key strategic locations in Metro Manila. Two of these stations will be connected to the proposed North South Commuter Railway. According to the planned Mega Manila Subway route, these are the stations of the future train system:
- East Valenzuela
- Quirino Highway
- Tandang Sora
- North Avenue
- Quezon Avenue
- East Avenue
- Anonas
- Katipunan
- Ortigas (previously called Ortigas North)
- Shaw (previously called Ortigas South)
- Kalayaan Avenue
- Bonifacio Global City
- FTI
- Lawton
- Senate
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3
- Bicutan
Makati Subway
The main financial district of the country is set to have its own underground train system as well. The 8-kilometer transport infrastructure is due for completion in 2025. The subway in Makati will have stations in these locations:
- Mile Long
- Makati Fire Station
- Circuit Makati
- Makati City Hall
- Makati Bliss
- Intersection of Ortigas-Makati-BGC Bridge
- University of Makati
- Ospital ng Makati
From the first-ever train system that serviced the capital city and northern provinces, the railway infrastructure in the country has expanded and embraced modernization, keeping up with the demands of the time. With the need for better mobility, more train systems are expected to emerge in key cities. This, in turn, will contribute to economic growth and development.
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Main Photo via MRT-3 Facebook page