A Comprehensive Guide to Philippine Train Systems

As the national government prioritizes infrastructure development in the country, commuters can harbor hopes of having at least fewer commuter problems ahead. With more and more train lines being constructed and the existing ones being improved and upgraded, it's safe to say that the current administration is going in the right direction in its pursuit of enhancing the transportation system and reducing traffic congestion in the Philippines.

From the Light Rail Transit Line and Metro Rail Transit Line to the Philippine National Railways, here is a comprehensive guide to the country's train systems, their stations, operating hours, and more.

Light Rail Transit (LRT) System

Simply called the LRT, this train line infrastructure consists of two operational lines: LRT-1 and LRT-2. The Manila LRT earned the distinction of being the first metro system in Southeast Asia, with Singapore coming in second after three years. Both LRT lines have a daily ridership of more than a hundred thousand passengers, prompting authorities to invest in more light rail vehicles.

LRT Line 1 was launched to the public in 1984, whereas the Rapid Transit Line 2 was introduced to commuters almost two decades later in 2003. It is being operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).

LRT-1

With a daily ridership gauged at half a million, LRT-1 has 113 trains connecting the cities of Pasay and Caloocan. Below are its 20 stations.

• Baclaran

• EDSA

• Libertad

• Gil Puyat

• Vito Cruz

• Quirino

• Pedro Gil

• UN Avenue

• Central Terminal

• Carriedo

• Doroteo Jose

• Bambang

• Tayuman

• Blumentritt

• Abad Santos

• R. Papa

• 5th Avenue

• Monumento

• Balintawak

• Roosevelt

LRT-2

With a daily ridership of more than 200,000, it links the cities of Pasig and Manila. Below are its 13 stations.

• Antipolo

• Marikina

• Santolan

• Katipunan

• Anonas

• Cubao

• Betty Go Belmonte

• Gilmore

• J. Ruiz

• V. Mapa

• Pureza

• Legarda

• Recto

Operating Hours

The following are the operating hours set by the LRTA, inclusive of weekends and holidays. Any changes will be announced periodically. This upcoming Holy Week, the last commercial trip for LRT will be on April 5, Wednesday, 7 PM. There will be no train operations on April 6 to 9 and will resume on April 10, Monday. The regular operating hours are listed below.

• 5:00 AM — the start of commercial operations (in both directions)

• 8:30 PM — the last commercial train departs from Antipolo Station to Recto Station

• 9:00 PM — the last commercial train departs from Recto Station to Antipolo Station

Metro Rail Transit (MRT) System

Simply known as MRT, is a rapid transit system that mainly serves Metro Manila commuters. Inaugurated in 1999, its only operational line so far is the MRT-3. There is another MRT line under construction, though the government has since procured new trains to respond to the growing number of daily commuters.

Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3)

The MRT-3 has logged its record-high number of daily ridership in February this year at more than 400,000 since the pandemic. This 16-kilometer train system primarily serves the north and south of Metro Manila. Survive the MRT ride by familiarizing yourself with its 13 stations:

Quezon City

• North Avenue

• Quezon Avenue

• GMA Kamuning

• Araneta Center-Cubao

• Santolan-Annapolis

Pasig City

• Ortigas Avenue

Mandaluyong City

• Shaw Boulevard

• Boni Avenue

Makati City

• Guadalupe

• Buendia

• Ayala

• Magallanes

Pasay City

• Taft Avenue

Operating Hours

MRT-3 runs commercial operations from Mondays to Sundays. Operating hours are subject to change, especially during holidays and bad weather conditions. Likewise, MRT-3's commercial operations are suspended on April 6 to 9 in light of the Holy Week observance. For the regular operating hours, refer to the quick guideline below.

North Avenue
4:36 AM — First trip
9:30 PM — Last trip

Taft Avenue
5:18 AM — First trip
10:11 PM — Last trip

PNR Metro Commuter Line

Operated by the Philippine National Railways, this train system comprises two metro commuter lines—Metro South Commuter Line and Metro North Commuter Line, including shuttle services assisting passengers in the metropolis. These two commuter lines meet at Tutuban station in Tondo. In 2021, new trains were sourced overseas to likewise respond to the growing number of commuters in the capital region.

Metro South Commuter Line

Stretching from Tutuban all the way to IRRI in Los Baños is the Metro South Commuter Line. Similarly, it has a shuttle service serving different provinces in southern areas.

Metro South Commuter Line Stations

There are 26 train stations in the Metro South Commuter line, namely:

• 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

The Alabang-IRRI Shuttle Service serves commuters from southern areas through the following stations:

• Alabang 

• Muntinlupa

• San Pedro

• Biñan

• Sta. Rosa

• Cabuyao

• Mamatid

• Calamba

• Pansol

• Masili

• Los Baños

• College

• IRRI

Metro North Commuter Line

The Metro North Commuter Line caters to passengers from Tutuban to Governor Pascual in the City of Malabon. The national government plans to connect the railway line up to Valenzuela, which will again increase the daily ridership capacity to 120,000 if the project steps forward.

Metro North Commuter Line Stations 

There are a total of six stations on the North Commuter Line:

• Tutuban 

• Solis 

• C-3

• Asistio Avenue 

• Caloocan/Sangandaan 

• Governor Pascual

Meanwhile, the Governor Pascual-Bicutan Shuttle Service serves commuters from northern areas through the following 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

For the complete operating hours and real-time updates, follow the Philippine National Railways' official Facebook page.

Metro Manila Subway

Hyped as the “Project of the Century,” the Metro Manila Subway is the first underground railway system in the Philippines, with the completion of the project's first phase targeted in 2023 or 2024.

Metro Manila Subway Stations

This 36-kilometer underground train line will comprise 17 stations in different locations in the metropolis. What is more, two stations are to be connected to the planned North South Commuter Railway. The following are the stations of the future Metro Manila subway:

• East Valenzuela

• Quirino Highway

• Tandang Sora

• North Avenue

• Quezon Avenue

• East Avenue

• Anonas

• Katipunan

• Ortigas (formerly called Ortigas North)

• Shaw (formerly called Ortigas South)

• Kalayaan Avenue

• Bonifacio Global City

• FTI

• Lawton

• Senate

• Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3

• Bicutan

Makati Subway

Makati City, often regarded as the primary financial district of the country where luxury hotels and residences are built, will also have its own underground train system. The 8-kilometer transport system in Makati has a targeted completion date of 2025. The Makati subway is anticipated to have train 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

Sources: With reports from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN News, and GMA News

Modernization in the country's transport system is undoubtedly a priority of the outgoing Marcos administration. This includes the highly debated Jeepney Modernization Program. Nonetheless, the common Filipino commuter deserves nothing less than comfort and convenience when commuting to school, work, or on their way back home.

Lumina Homes communities nationwide are near major roads and transportation services such as the country's train systems. The existence and operations of these trains greatly benefit in decongesting Metro Manila and boost economic progress in nearby provinces, such as Rizal, Cavite, Bataan, Laguna, and more. As such, Manila employees can still commute back to their affordable house and lot in a Lumina community in their province in a much shorter trip time. With more infrastructure projects for commuting convenience, it eliminates the need to relocate in the already overpopulated and hypercongested Metro Manila for employment opportunities.

In addition to access to major roads and train stations, Lumina Homes projects are also near schools, hospitals, dry and wet markets, local government offices, and churches, making each community a complete package for those looking to take residence in a conveniently located neighborhood.

Embark on a virtual tour of Lumina properties and see it for yourself. For your investment inquiries, send us a message through this website or via our social media accounts. Achieve homeownership like never before and invest in an affordable house and lot with Lumina Homes.