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• A Commuter’s Guide to LRT-1 Stations

A Commuter’s Guide to LRT-1 Stations

The Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1 (LRT-1) is one of the major public transportation systems in the Philippines. Launched in December 1984, the line consists of 20 stations, linking the cities of Pasay, Manila, Caloocan, and Quezon City. Serving more than 800,000 passengers each day, the government is planning to extend the rail line and buy more train wagons to keep up with the growing number of commuters in Metro Manila.

Discover and be familiar with LRT-1 stations to help you with your daily commute.

List of LRT-1 Stations

Baclaran

Baclaran is the first station of the LRT-1. Located in Pasay, the terminal sits at the center of Baclaran Market, making it one of the busiest LRT-1 stations in the metro. It is also a transportation hub serving buses from Las Pinas, Paranaque, and Muntinlupa.

Nearby landmarks:

• Baclaran Flea Market
• Baclaran Redemptorist Church
• Coastal Mall
• Blue Bay Walk
• City of Dreams
• Solaire Resort and Casino

EDSA

Named after historian Epifanio de los Santos, EDSA is a known transfer point for commuters taking the MRT line. It is close to many provincial bus terminals such as Victory Liner and Philtranco, heading to Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon respectively.

Nearby landmarks:

• Metropoint Mall
• Saver’s Square
• SM Mall of Asia
• Heritage Hotel
• San Juan de Dios Hospital
• Manila Tytana College

 Read more:

• Are You a Commuter? Here’s Your Guide to Every MRT Station
• Being a Commuter or Moving Close to Work—Which One Should You Choose and Why?

Libertad

Also known as Arnaiz station, Libertad is the last LRT-1 station located in Pasay City. Commuters headed to Cuneta Astrodome or the US Embassy should alight this line.

Nearby landmarks:

• Victory Pasay Mall
• HK Sun Plaza
• Libertad Market
• Mary’s Academy Pasay
• Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay
• Department of Foreign Affairs
• US Embassy (Annex)
• Japanese Embassy
• Cuneta Astrodome

Instagram photo by @tisoywalaapelyido

Gil Puyat

Going to Makati City? Gil Puyat is your LRT-1 station. Strategically located in the midst of Buendia and Taft Avenue, Gil Puyat is a transport hub for commuters headed to Laguna, Batangas, Lucena, Manila, and SM Mall of Asia.

Nearby landmarks:

• Cartimar Shopping Center
• SM Mall of Asia
• Arellano University
• Philippine Law School
• CCP Complex
• GSIS Complex
• Star City
• World Trade Center
• Philippine Senate

Vito Cruz

Vito Cruz is particularly popular to La Salle and CSB students as it is located in front of their campuses. One of the busiest LRT-1 stations, this point serves Malate residents as well as students and employees coming from Makati City.

Nearby landmarks:

• De La Salle University
• College of Saint Benilde
• Scholastica’s College
• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
• Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
• Harrison Plaza
• Cultural Center of the Philippines
• Folk Arts Theater
• Manila Film Center

Quirino

Like Vito Cruz, Quirino station also serves most of the Malate area. The above-ground terminal is a meeting point for commuters headed to San Andres street.

Nearby landmarks:

• Manila Zoo
• Manila Yacht Club
• Malate Church
• Plaza Rajah Sulayman
• Remedios Circle
• Adriatico Street
• Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center
• Malate Catholic School

Instagram photo by @carmonakiiim

Pedro Gil

Also known as Herran station, Pedro Gil is the 7^th LRT-1 station when headed to Roosevelt. Located at the corner of Taft Avenue and Pedro Gil Street, you can find a mix of students and employees in this station due to its strategic location.

Nearby landmarks:

• Philippine General Hospital
• University of the Philippines – Manila
• Saint Paul University – Manila
• Philippine Christian University
• Philippine Women’s University
• Robinson’s Place Manila
• Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila

United Nations

Many government offices and national landmarks are located close to United Nations or UN Avenue. Several colleges are also nearby, making it a popular transportation hub for students and professors.

Nearby landmarks:

• Luneta Park
• National Library
• National Museum
• Manila Ocean Park
• Malacanang Park
• Department of Tourism
• Depart of Justice
• National Bureau of Investigation
• Supreme Court of the Philippines
• Adamson University
• Philippine Normal University
• Technological University of the Philippines
• Emilio Aguinaldo College

Central Terminal

If you wish to experience old Manila, alight Central Terminal, an LRT-1 station located in the heart of Ermita. Also known as Arroceros, this station is close to Manila City Hall and Manila’s University Belt. Commuters who would like to take the Pasig River Ferry should also alight this line.

Nearby landmarks:

• Manila City Hall
• Liwasang Bonifacio
• National Museum of Fine Arts
• Manila Central Post Office
• Mapua Institute of Technology
• Philippine Normal University
• Colegio de San Juan de Letran
• Lyceum of the Philippines
• Manila Metropolitan Theater

Instagram photo by @e_y_a_n

Carriedo

Do you regularly go to Quiapo church? Or maybe you like dining in Escolta? If you answered yes to any of the two questions, then you’ve probably been to Carriedo station. Located in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Carriedo station is the only LRT-1 terminal with a canopy roof.

Nearby landmarks:

• Quiapo Church
• Plaza Lacson
• Escolta Street
• Arroceros Forest Park
• Liwasang Bonifacio
• FEU University
• Philippine Postal Corporation

Doroteo Jose

Doroteo who??? Named after a local hero, Doroteo Jose is an aboveground LRT-1 terminal located in Sta Cruz, Manila. It is close to many provincial bus lines serving Pampanga, Pangasinan, Bataan, Tarlac, and Benguet.

Nearby landmarks:

• Fabella Memorial Hospital
• Isetann Cinema Recto
• Bataan Transit
• Genesis Transport Service
• Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines

Bambang

There’s not much to visit near Bambang station, unless you’re headed to the University of Santo Tomas. It is also close to private hospitals such as Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and San Lazaro Hospital.

Nearby landmarks:

• Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center
• San Lazaro Hospital
• Metropolitan Medical Center
• Saint Stephen’s High School
• Teodora Alonzo High School
• Hope Christian School
• University of Santo Tomas

Instagram photo by @ejoquialda

Tayuman

Another LRT-1 station located in the Santa Cruz district is Tayuman. Commuters frequent this terminal as it is closest to Dangwa, a wholesale flower market in Sampaloc, Manila.

Nearby landmarks:

• San Lazaro Hospital
• Department of Health
• Dangwa Flower Market
• Espirito Santo Church

Blumentritt

Named after Ferdinand Blumentritt, a close associate of national hero Jose Rizal, Blumentritt station caters to most of Sampaloc, Manila. Jeepneys and taxis stop at this station, while a PNR station can be found nearby.

Nearby landmarks:

• SM San Lazaro
• Blumentritt Flea Market
• Chinese General Hospital
• Manila North Cemetery
• San Roque de Manila Parish

Abad Santos

Planning a trip to Caloocan or Tondo? Take the LRT-1 and alight Abad Santos station. This terminal serves both cities, with jeepneys and tricycles just below the terminal.

Nearby landmarks:

• Manila Chinese Cemetery
• Joseph School
• Ospital ng Tondo

Instagram photo by @jaydomasig_29

R. Papa

Ricardo Papa or R. Papa is the last LRT-1 station in the city of Manila. Found in Rizal Avenue Extension, commuters headed to La Loma Cemetery typically alight this line.

Nearby landmarks:

• La Loma Cemetery
• La Loma Church
• Barrio Ebrero Elementary School
• Marulas Elementary School

5^th Avenue

5^th Avenue is the first LRT-1 station located in Caloocan city. It is right beside 5^th Avenue or C-3 road, where the station got its name.

Nearby landmarks:

• Thai To Taoist Temple Pagoda
• Ung Siu Si Buddhist Temple
• Northern Rizal Yorkin Chinese School
• Philippine Cultural College

Monumento

Located in the southern part of Caloocan, Monumento is one of the most famous LRT-1 stations for commuters going to Quezon City. It houses the Bonifacio Monument (hence the name), which is one of the country’s most famous landmarks.

Nearby landmarks:

• Monumento Circle
• Victory Central Mall
• Araneta Square Mall
• Puregold Monumento
• Parco Supermarket
• Our Lady of Grace Shrine
• Caloocan City Public Library
• Malabon Zoo

Instagram photo by @chino.delrosario

Balintawak

One of the latest additions to the LRT-1 is the Balintawak station. Launched in March 2010, this station serves passengers going to and from northern Luzon, serving both Quezon City and Caloocan City.

Nearby landmarks:

• Balintawak Market
• EDSA-Cloverleaf Interchange
• Cry of Balintawak Monument
• Joseph the Worker Parish Church
• Wilcon Builders Depot
• Balintawak Home Depot
• Ayala Mall Cloverleaf
• The Cloverleaf Estate

Roosevelt

Roosevelt is the last terminal of the LRT-1. Also known as Munoz station, the terminal was launched in October 2010 as part of the government’s Line 1 North Extension Project. It links to Waltermart North EDSA as well as Jackman Plaza Munoz.

Nearby landmarks:

• Munoz Market
• STI College Munoz-EDSA
• Inglesia ni Cristo Bago Bantay
• Congressional Arcade Building
• S&R Congressional
• AMA Computer University
• Quezon City General Hospital

Final Thoughts

The LRT-1 may be safer and more convenient than the MRT, but we’re still looking forward to a major upgrade soon. Are you a regular passenger of the transportation system? What are your thoughts about the different LRT-1 stations? Let us know below.