Major rail lines in Metro Manila will adjust their operating schedules to accommodate the expected influx of passengers during the holiday season, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Thursday.

According to DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 Lines 1 and 2 and Light Rail Transit (LRT) will extend their operating hours starting December 16 to accommodate more commuters for Christmas and the New Year.

“On certain days, our trains will run earlier in the morning and later at night to provide greater comfort to passengers during the holiday season,” Bautista said in a press release.

“These adjustments will also allow our rail employees to spend more time with their families as they celebrate the holidays,” he said.

From December 16 to 23, MRT-3 will begin its first commercial route from North Avenue Station at 4:30 a.m. and 5:05 a.m. from Taft Avenue. The train line will extend its operating hours, with the last commercial train departing from North Avenue at 10:34 p.m. and from Taft Avenue at 11:08 p.m.

However, on December 24 and 31, the last commercial train will leave North Avenue at 7:45 p.m. and Taft Avenue at 8:23 p.m.

On December 25, 2024 and January 1, 2025, MRT-3 operation will begin at 6:30 a.m. with the last commercial train leaving North Avenue at 9:30 a.m. and Taft Avenue at 10:09 p.m.

Regular schedules will be followed from December 26 to 30, 2024 and from January 2, 2025.

Meanwhile, the LRT-2 will begin its commercial trips at Antipolo and Recto stations at 5 a.m. from December 17 to 23. Its opening hours will be extended on the said dates, with Antipolo station scheduling its last trip at 9:30 p.m. and Recto station at 10 p.m.

On December 24, both LRT-2 stations will open at 5 a.m., but Antipolo station will make its last commercial run at 8 p.m. and Recto station at 8:30 p.m. Regular operating hours will be in place from December 25 December to December 30 and from January 1. .

The LRT-1, which connects Dr. Santos Station (formerly Sucat) in Paranaque to Fernando Poe Jr. Station in Quezon City, will begin its adjusted operating hours on December 20.

The two terminal stations will be operational first on December 20, December 23 and December 26 until December 27 at 4:30 a.m. Their last operations will take place on December 20 and 23, with the last train leaving at 10:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. from Dr Santos and FPJ stations respectively.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News