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How to Commute in Metro Manila PH: A Public Transport Guide

Refer to the guide ahead to prepare your daily routes


Trains in the Metro

LRT Line 1

LRT Line 2

MRT Line 3

PNR


Buses in the Metro

EDSA Carousel

Point-to-Point (P2P) Bus


Commuting in the Philippines is no easy feat. Factor in the fact that the public transportation sector is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, and you have a recipe for one extra challenging experience. Consider also that Metro Manila is set to get busier again: Restrictions are easing up. Various other sectors are getting ready for face-to-face work and classes. A number of economic activities are set back in motion. So how does one get around the metro in this case? Ahead, check out the guide designed to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about Metro Manila public transport.



Trains in the Metro


LRT Line 1

First opened in 1984, the LRT-1 is one of the light rapid transit systems that can take you all around Metro Manila. It has a total of 19 operational stations; trains travel from Baclaran to Balintawak, and vice versa.


The Roosevelt station, located at the far north of the line, remains temporarily closed, however, until further notice. This is to give way to the construction of the Unified Grand Central Station, which is set to connect the systems of LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7.


LRT Line 1 Stations

Below are the LRT-1 stations in order from south to north:


  • Baclaran

  • EDSA

  • Libertad

  • Gil Puyat

  • Vito Cruz 

  • Quirino Avenue

  • Pedro Gil

  • United Nations

  • Central Terminal

  • Carriedo

  • Doroteo Jose

  • Bambang

  • Tayuman

  • Blumentritt

  • Abad Santos

  • R. Papa

  • 5th Avenue

  • Monumento

  • Balintawak

  • Roosevelt (temporarily closed)


Operating Schedule

The LRT Line 1 operates daily, with the first train from Baclaran leaving at 4:30 AM and the last at 9:15 PM. Meanwhile, from Balintawak to Baclaran, the first trip begins at 4:30 AM and the last at 9:30 PM. Depending on upcoming holidays and announcements, these operating hours are subject to change.


Station

First Trip

Last Trip

Baclaran

4:30 AM

9:15 PM

Balintawak

9:30 PM


Fare Matrix

For a single-journey ticket, see the price breakdown ahead.


LRT Line 1 single-journey fare


Meanwhile, for Beep or Stored Value Card (SVC) fares, these are the prices to keep in mind:



LRT Line 2

Previously known as MRT-2, the LRT-2 opened in 2010. Instead of a north-to-south route, this line takes an east-to-west direction. Its 13 stations travel from Antipolo to Recto. The two newest stations, Marikina and Antipolo Stations, were part of the government's East Extension Project and have just started their full operations last June 2021.


LRT Line 2 Stations

Below are the LRT-2 stations in order from west to east:


  • Recto

  • Legarda

  • Pureza

  • V. Mapa

  • J. Ruiz

  • Gilmore

  • Betty Go-Belmonte

  • Araneta Center-Cubao

  • Anonas

  • Katipunan

  • Santolan

  • Marikina

  • Antipolo


Operating Schedule

This line operates daily unless a holiday or another occasion disrupts the regular schedule. The first trip starts at 5:00 AM for both end terminals, but the last trains leave at 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM for Antipolo and Recto, respectively. 


Station

First Trip

Last Trip

Antipolo

5:00 AM

8:30 PM

Recto

9:00 PM


Fare Matrix

Ahead are the Beep, SVC, and single-journey ticket prices.



MRT Line 3

The MRT-3 opened in 1999 with a route that runs from north to south along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA). The line has 13 stops, starting at North Avenue and ending at Taft Avenue.


MRT Line 3 Stations

Below are the MRT-3 stations in order from north to south:


  • North Avenue

  • Quezon Avenue

  • GMA Kamuning

  • Araneta Center-Cubao

  • Santolan Annapolis

  • Ortigas

  • Shaw Boulevard

  • Boni

  • Guadalupe

  • Buendia

  • Ayala

  • Magallanes

  • Taft Avenue


Operating Schedule

Like the LRT lines, MRT-3 runs daily unless a holiday or announcement shifts its regular operating schedule. The first trip from North Avenue starts at 4:40 AM, while Taft Avenue begins at 5:26 AM. As for the departure of the last trains, they're set at 9:30 PM and 10:16 PM for North Avenue and Taft Avenue, respectively. 


Station

First Trip

Last Trip

North Avenue

4:40 AM

9:30 PM

Taft Avenue

5:26 AM

10:16 PM


Fare Matrix

The MRT-3 has four types of tickets that you can use: single journey, stored value, and two of the previous variants that grant a 20% discount to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). 


For Beep, SVC, and single-journey ticket rates, see ahead.


LRT 3 Fare Matrix


To get a stored value or single journey ticket with a discount, you need to present a valid ID at any of the stations. Visit the MRT 3 website for more information.


PNR

This commuter rail line opened in 1970 and has stations across Metro Manila and Laguna. It has two sections, with the Tutuban Station in Manila at its center. The Metro North Commuter section stretches from Tutuban to Governor Pascual in Malabon, while the Metro South Commuter section operates from Tutuban to Calamba, Laguna. 


PNR Stations Within Metro Manila

Below are the PNR stations in the area in order from north to south:


  • Tutuban

  • Blumentritt

  • Laon-Laan

  • España

  • Sta. Mesa

  • Pandacan

  • Paco

  • San Andres

  • Vito Cruz

  • Buendia

  • Pasay Road

  • EDSA

  • Nichols

  • Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI)

  • Bicutan

  • Sucat

  • Alabang


Operating Schedule

The Metro South Commuter section, with stops within Metro Manila, operates at different times from the main station in Tutuban. For southbound trains, the first trip in Tutuban leaves at 5:16 AM, while the last departures at 9:06 PM. As for trains heading northbound, Alabang's first and last trips are scheduled at 5:12 AM and 7:42 PM, respectively.


These hours can change depending on the train scheduled to arrive at each station. For a better idea of how you can plan out your trip, review this more detailed schedule table.


Station

First Trip

Last Trip

Tutuban

5:16 AM

9:06 PM

Alabang

5:12 AM

7:42 PM


Fare Matrix

PNR has a different set of fares for ordinary trains, which are cheaper than the list above for aircon units. For more details on these rates, check out the PNR website.


Buses in the Metro


EDSA Carousel

The EDSA Carousel is a fairly new commute line that operates on a dedicated lane along EDSA. It has multiple stops that run from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to Monumento, and vice versa. This was established during the height of the pandemic to improve the traffic and commuting issues.


Pick-up and Drop-off Points

You can board and alight the EDSA Carousel at these stops:


  • Monumento

  • Bagong Barrio

  • Balintawak

  • Kaingin Road

  • LRT-1 Roosevelt

  • MRT-3 North Avenue 

  • Nepa Q. Mart

  • Main Ave. Cubao

  • MRT-3 Santolan 

  • MRT-3 Ortigas

  • Guadalupe Bridge

  • MRT-3 Buendia 

  • Ayala Ave Bus Stop

  • Taft Avenue (curbside)

  • SM Mall of Asia (MOA)

  • PITX Terminal


Operating Schedule

The EDSA Carousel buses operate daily from 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Depending on holidays and other factors, there may be delays or changes in the schedule. 


Fare Matrix

As of April 11, the fare is free for all passengers, thanks to the Libreng Sakay program by the government. The rate can cost anywhere from ₱13 to ₱61 for a one-way ticket on a regular day.


Point-to-Point (P2P) Bus

The P2P system works like the Grab app: the bus will only pick up and drop off passengers at its starting point and destination. This can be a convenient and speedy way to commute since you don't have to use multiple modes of transportation or stop at several stations, which is a source of numerous delays. Unlike EDSA Carousel, P2P buses also follow a scheduled departure time, so you can be sure to time your commutes accordingly.


Here are some routes that run around Metro Manila you can take note of:


P2P Route

Schedule

Operating Hours

Fare

Alabang Town Center to Market! Market!

Monday to Friday

5:30 AM–7:30 PM

Standard: ₱120

Discounted: ₱100

Market! Market! To Alabang Town Center

6:30 AM–9:30 PM

Alabang Town Center to Greenbelt 1

Monday to Sunday

5:30 AM –9:00 PM

Standard: ₱100

Discounted: ₱80

Saturday

6:00 AM–8:30 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM–8:00 PM

Greenbelt 1 to Alabang Town Center

Monday to Sunday

6:30 AM–10:00 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM–9:30 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Alabang South Station to Robinsons Galleria

Monday to Friday

6:00 AM–5:00 PM

Standard: ₱140

Discounted: ₱112


Robinsons Galleria to Alabang South Station

8:00 AM–7:00 PM

Alabang Town Center to Lawton

Monday to Friday

5:30 AM–6:00 PM

Standard: ₱180

Discounted: ₱80

Lawton to Alabang Town Center

7:00 AM–8:00 PM

Ayala Malls South Park to Greenbelt 5

Monday to Friday

6:00 AM–8:00 PM

Standard: ₱100

Discounted: ₱80

Greenbelt 5 to Ayala Malls South Park

7:00 AM–9:00 PM

SM North to SM Megamall

Monday to Friday

5:30 AM–10:30 PM

Standard: ₱65

Discount: ₱50


SM Megamall to SM North

6:15 AM–11:30 PM

Trinoma to Park Square

Monday to Friday

5:30 AM–10:30 PM

Standard: ₱95

Discount: ₱70

Park Square to Trinoma

6:15 PM–11:30 PM

Southmall Las Pinas to Makati Circuit Lane

Monday to Friday

5:30 AM–9:00 PM

Standard: ₱100

Discount: ₱80

Makati Circuit Lane to Southmall Las Pinas

U.P. Town Center to Glorietta 3

Monday to Friday

5:30 AM–9:00 PM

Standard: ₱100

Discount: ₱80

Saturday and Sunday

8:00 AM–8:00 PM

Glorietta 3 to U.P. Town Center

Monday to Friday

5:30 AM–9:00 PM

Saturday and Sunday

9:00 AM–8:00 PM

Starmall EDSA Shaw to Starmall Alabang

Monday to Friday

7:30 AM–9:30 PM

Standard: ₱100

Discounted: ₱80

Saturday

9:00 AM–6:00 PM

Starmall Alabang to Starmall EDSA Shaw

Monday to Friday

6:00 AM–7:00 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM–4:00 PM


Rolling Back Into Gear

Being prepared for changes amid the ongoing pandemic means gearing up with new normal essentials to help you navigate them. 


Part of this is getting the right data packages and prepaid promos so you can stay updated on public transportation news. This also lets you stream music on Spotify so you have a companion with you on your Manila commute.



Art Matthew Fetalver

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