The Light Rail Transit Line 6 is a proposed rapid transit system in Cavite, Philippines.[1] There have been two proposals for the line, with the first one shelved immediately in 2018.[2] Another proposal emerged in 2017 and is currently under review by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

LRT Line 6
Overview
StatusProposed
OwnerLight Rail Transit Authority
LocaleCavite
Termini
Stations8[a]
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemManila Light Rail Transit System
Services5
Rolling stockElectric multiple units
Daily ridership200,000 (2015 estimate)
History
Planned opening2027 (partial)
Technical
Line length23.5 km (14.6 mi)[b]
Number of tracksDouble-track
CharacterElevated
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Minimum radius50 m (160 ft)
Electrification750 V DC overhead lines
Operating speed70 km/h (43 mph)
Route map

Niog
Tirona Highway
Nueno
Patinding Araw
Anabu Kostal
Salitran
Congressional Road
San Agustin
Pala-pala

Diego Cera
Starr
Casimiro
Marcos Alvarez
Investment Drive
Madrigal
Filinvest Avenue
Alabang

Bonifacio
Canaynay
El Grande
San Antonio Avenue
BF Homes
Lakefront

Background and history

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The province of Cavite is known as a "bedroom community" for those who work in Metro Manila. Over the recent decades, urbanization has been widespread in the country and urban sprawl has been most evident within the Greater Manila Area. The LRT Line 6 aims to provide rail transport options to 45 percent of Cavite's population which are concentrated on the cities of Bacoor, Imus and Dasmariñas.[3]

Early trains in Cavite

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Trains belonging to the Manila Railroad Company previously plied the Naic line from Paco station in Manila to Naic station in Naic, Cavite. The commuter rail line was opened in 1909 by the virtue of Insular Government Act No. 1905.[4] It had 19 stations over 44 km (27 mi) of track. There was also a branch line to Cavite City which would have branched off at Noveleta. Some of these trains passed by once towns of Parañaque and Las Piñas in Manila, as well as Bacoor in Cavite. The line ended operation by 1936 and much of the line has been built over in the following decades, such as the expansion of the Nichols Field. Some of the historical right-of-way is now shared between the Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.[5][6]

1990s proposal

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There were no plans to rebuild a line to Cavite until the 1990s, when the 1993 Updated Traffic and Transport Management Plan, which proposes the network of five LRT lines, including the sixth line that would run from Baclaran to Zapote in Las Pinas for 8 kilometers, was proposed by the Public Estates Authority (PEA, now the Philippine Reclamation Authority), and the Australia-based TGM completed the pre-feasibility study in 1997.[7][8][9] The project was also identified in the Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 1999.[10]

LRT Line 1 Cavite extension

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In 2004, Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin proposed an extension of the existing Line 1 to Cavite. However, the Arroyo administration rejected the study in 2005.[11] In 2012, the LRT Line 1 south extension project as a public-private partnership project. It aims to extend the line to Bacoor, Cavite with a target start of construction in 2014 and opening date in mid-2015.[12] However, the bidding process failed and the government repeatedly postponed the project starting in 2013.[13] It was not until 2019 when construction for the LRT Line 1 extension commenced and is currently 61.60% complete as of December 2021.[14] The line in its current form has a targeted partial opening date by October 2024 and will be fully operational by 2031.[15][16]

First Line 6 proposal

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The first mention of a separate LRT Line 6 in Cavite was when then-president Benigno Aquino III approved the construction of the LRT Line 6 in Cavite after a National Economic and Development Authority board meeting on September 6, 2015.[17] The project would have cost an estimated PHP64 billion or US$1.42 billion.[18] In December of that year, the Department of Transportation and Communications (later the Department of Transportation) started bidding by inviting interested firms to bid on the project.[19] But there were repeatedly delays due to deadlines being extended several times in 2016.[20][21][22]

Although sixteen firms showed interest in the LRT Line 6 project by sending representatives to a pre-qualification conference last February, namely: Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.; Ayala Corporation; Bombardier; CFP Transaction Advisors; Daelim Industrial Company Ltd. (now DL E&C); DMCI; Egis; First Metro Investments Corporation; Metro Builders Corporation; Metro Pacific Investments; Mott MacDonald; Ove Arup & Partners; Prime Asset Ventures, Inc.; Robinsons Land; San Miguel Corporation; and SYSTRA.[22]

The first proposal was described as a 19 km (12 mi) commuter rail line along the route of the Aguinaldo Highway. It will start from Niog station, which is separate from the Line 1 station and the two lines will not share tracks. The next stations will be Tirona, Imus, and Daang Hari stations in Imus; and Salitran, Congressional Avenue, and Governor's Drive in Dasmariñas.[3] Procurement of rolling stock to facilitate operations, and rolling stock was expected to be electric multiple units using overhead catenary traction power.[3] This project however was shelved indefinitely in 2018, citing issues such as right-of-way and congestion along that highway.[2]

Modified Line 6A and 6B+C proposal

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In 2018, Villar-led Prime Asset Ventures Inc. came up with an alternative proposal for the said railway line.[23] The new mainline consists of 23.5 km (14.6 mi) long, nine (9) stations, passing through the less congested arterial road of Molino–Paliparan Road, including the large-scale vacant properties in Bacoor and Dasmariñas, Cavite. The new proposal will branch out its railway network in Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque where large-scale subdivisions are situated. As of December 2020, the proposal has passed the stringent qualifications set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, prompting to issue an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) on February 7, 2020.[24] The project is now under review by the NEDA-ICC alongside other unsolicited proposals such as the Metro Manila SkyTrain and the MRT Line 10. Unless stated otherwise, the entire line will be most likely a separate line from Line 1, like the previous proposal.

Proposed stations

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The present Line 6 proposal is 23.5 km (14.6 mi) long, with 9 stations as part of the initial proposal. The main line is so-called Modified Line 6, formerly called Line 6A. It is 23.5 kilometers (14.6 miles) long, starting at Niog station that is connected to the LRT Line 1 Cavite extension and ending at Governor's Drive station. Due to alignment changes, the new Governor's Drive station in Dasmariñas is relocated to Barangay Paliparan, 4.4 kilometers (2.7 miles) east of the original station in Pala-Pala area in Barangay Sampaloc I.[1] There would be also an extension of the line to Tagaytay, although only this section of the line has been presented to the government.[25]

Three stations have been named after locations outside the line's actual right of way: San Pedro, Alabang and GMA. San Pedro being named after the city of San Pedro, Laguna, Alabang after the eponymous barangay in Muntinlupa, and GMA station after the town of General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. It was however stated in the unsolicited proposal that Alabang Line 6 station is actually located in Barangay Molino IV in Bacoor, while San Pedro will be located in Salawag and GMA in Paliparan IV, both are barangays of Dasmariñas.[1]

List of stations
Name Structure type Connections Location
Niog Elevated
Proposed interchange with   Manila LRT
Bacoor, Cavite
Bacoor City Hall Elevated none
San Nicolas Embankment
  •  32  SAMC
Daang Hari Embankment
  •  32  SM City Molino
San Pedro Elevated none
Alabang Embankment Dasmariñas, Cavite
La Salle Elevated
GMA Elevated
Governor's Drive Elevated
  •  32  Carissa Homes

Expansion

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Both the Filipino proponents and the Japanese consultants also included their proposed expanded network to their documents. It includes Line 6B, an airport rail link extension of Line 6 to Ninoy Aquino International Airport; Line 6C, a spur line near the Parañaque–Muntinlupa border; Line 6D, another spur line to Alabang, near the Alabang station of the Philippine National Railways; and the Line 6 extension to Tagaytay.[25] Line 6D is also being developed by the Japanese firm as a separate line.[26] Altogether, the combined line length is at approximately 86 km (53 mi) with a combined track length of around 169 km (105 mi).[1] According to the 2020 Japanese study, the expansion is set to be completed by 2040.[26]

Line 6B

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Line 6B will run between Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay and San Nicolas Line 6A station in Bacoor, Cavite. The line is 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) long with 10 stations and will have a single track section between NAIA and Sucat Road.[25]

List of stations
Name Structure type Connections Location
NAIA Terminal 1 Elevated
  •  44  NAIA Terminal 1
Pasay
Sucat Elevated
Proposed interchange with   Manila LRT
  •  6C 
  •  44  SM City Sucat
Parañaque
Canaynay Elevated
Proposed interchange with   Manila LRT
  •  6C 
Naga Elevated none Las Piñas
Daang Hari Elevated
Alabang–Zapote Elevated
Marcos–Alvarez Elevated
Apollo Elevated
Queen's Row Elevated
San Nicolas Embankment
Proposed interchange with   Manila LRT
Bacoor, Cavite

Line 6C

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Line 6C will run along the right-of-way of Dr. Santos Avenue in Parañaque. A 7.7 km (4.8 mi) 6-station spur of Line 6B, it will split with Line 6B between Canaynay and El Grande stations. While a majority of the area would not have a right-of-way issue for an elevated railway, a two-way ramp leading to the Sucat exit of the Metro Manila Skyway will cause a section of the line leading to Lake Front station to be built as an underpass.[1]

List of stations
Name Structure type Connections Location
Sucat (NAIA) Elevated
Proposed interchange with   Manila LRT
  •  6B 
  •  44  SM City Sucat
Parañaque
Canaynay Elevated
Proposed interchange with   Manila LRT
  •  6B 
El Grande Elevated
  •  44  WalterMart Sucat
San Antonio Elevated none
President Elevated none
St. James Elevated
  •  44  SM City BF
Lake Front Depressed
  •  10   15A   24   36   40   44   50   PNR-2  Sucat
Muntinlupa

Line 6D

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Line 6D is connected to Line 6B at Marcos–Alvarez station in Las Piñas. It will be 5 km (3.1 mi) with 4 stations along the Alabang–Zapote Road in Las Piñas and Muntinlupa. This line will have a targeted opening date by 2030.[25]

This branch in particular is also the subject of the Japanese feasibility study published by METI in 2020. Line 6D's Starmall station is located on a vacant lot beside Alabang exit of the South Luzon Expressway. The study also proposed a footbridge connection to the future Alabang station of the North–South Commuter Railway. It is also proposed to be converted into a separate line in the future named the Alabang–Zapote Line. Once this extension is approved, the Alabang–Zapote Line will reach the Cavite Economic Zone in Rosario, Cavite. The total length would also be at 23 kilometers (14 miles). The expansion is targeted to be completed by 2040.[26]

List of stations
Name Structure type Connections Location
Marcos–Alvarez Elevated
Proposed interchange with   Manila LRT
  •  6B 
  •  23  SM Southmall
Las Piñas
Madrigal Elevated
  •  23  Alabang Town Center
Muntinlupa
Filinvest Elevated none
South Superhighway Elevated
  •  10   15A   23   24   36   40   44   50   60   PNR-2  Alabang

Technical

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Rolling stock

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The line will use electric multiple units that will be powered through overhead lines, but the type of the rolling stock used remains unspecified. In the 2015 study, Line 6 trains will use 750 V DC electrification, similar to LRT Line 1 as well as some light rail and light rapid transit systems used overseas. The trainsets will also be arranged into a four-car formation reflective of newer-generation light rail vehicles (LRVs) used on Line 1. The use of the term "commuter rail" for the rolling stock made it ambiguous as to whether or not the line will use LRVs or high-capacity trainsets.[27]

In the 2019 proposal, it is also left unspecified as to use LRVs or rapid transit trainsets. The project proposes to use a single-articulated, six-axle, standard floor car type with eight passenger doorways (four on each side). Vehicles will be capable of multiple unit operations. consisting of up to four cars with a total length of 100 m, while each end of the car will be equipped with an operator’s position. Each car will have a passenger capacity of 347 and an operating speed ranging from 35 to 70. km/h.[28] An automated guideway transit was also given as an option for Line 6D in the 2020 Japanese study presented by METI. The 2020 study also recommended the use of 4-car trainsets as with the 2015 proposal. The 2020 study also made allowances for coupling two trains into 8-car sets. The maximum passenger capacity of the trainsets is at 300 per car or 1,200 people per set. In comparison, the LRTA 13000 class has a maximum capacity of 1,388 passengers. The use of the AGT, light rail vehicles, or heavy rail trainsets is currently under assessment by NEDA.[26]

Station design

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The 2020 study recommends that the line will use island platforms due to its compact size and costs less to construct. The design for the elevated stations will be based on the Yurikamome automated guideway transit system in Tokyo. All elevated stations will feature eki-naka (ja) commercial development.[26] Three stations would be grade-separated by embankment instead of being fully-elevated stations through a viaduct. These are San Nicolas, Daang Hari, and Alabang stations. This is because these stations will be built over private property.[1] Lake Front station of Line 6C will also be built partially underground due to the conflicting pillars of the Metro Manila Skyway Sucat exit ramp.[25] Other than these four stations, the line shall be built with a viaduct.

Line 6 system length

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Line Stations Line length Track length
Line 6A 9 23.5 km (14.6 mi) 47 km (29 mi)
Line 6A Extension 4 18.5 km (11.5 mi) 37 km (23 mi)
Line 6B 10 16 km (9.9 mi) 29 km (18 mi)[c]
Line 6C 6 7.7 km (4.8 mi)[d] 15.4 km (9.6 mi)
Alabang–Zapote Line (6D) 4 5 km (3.1 mi) 10 km (6.2 mi)
Alabang–Zapote–CEZ Line
(6D Extension)
15 18 km (11 mi) 36 km (22 mi)
Total 48 86 km (53 mi) 169 km (105 mi)

Notes

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  1. ^ Up to 48 proposed stations, with only 8 in the main line.
  2. ^ System length is at 86 km (53 mi).
  3. ^ An approximated 3 km (1.9 mi) section of the line will be built as single-track.
  4. ^ 2.7 km (1.7 mi) will be shared with line 6B.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Project Description for Scoping (Line 6A and 6B/C)" (PDF). eia.emb.gov.ph. Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. January 31, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "SBB No. 1-2018". Department of Transportation (Philippines). September 20, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "LRT Line 6 Project" (PDF). ppp.gov.ph. November 30, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  4. ^ AN ACT GRANTING THE MANILA RAILROAD COMPANY CERTAIN ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS FOR RAILROAD LINES IN THE ISLAND OF LUZON (Act No. 1905). Philippine Commission. May 19, 1909.
  5. ^ "Railways of old in Manila and Rizal". www.d0ctrine.com. November 8, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  6. ^ "What if PNR trains reached Naic?". Pariwara. October 13, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  7. ^ "Urban Railway Projects In Bangkok - Measures for Securing Financial Resources" (PDF).
  8. ^ "MMUTIS Appendices" (PDF). Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "フィリピン国マニラ首都圏鉄道標準化調査事前調査報告書" (PDF).
  10. ^ Iwata, Shizuo (March 5, 1999). Final Report Summary (PDF). Metro Manila Urban Transportation Integration Study (Report). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  11. ^ Valencia, L. B. (September 15, 2004). "LRT1 Extension Expected to Start Construction by 2005". Manila Bulletin.
  12. ^ "Gov't invites investors to bid for LRT-1 extension". Rappler. June 4, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  13. ^ Balea, Judith (August 29, 2013). "LRT-1 Cavite extension bidding 'a failure'". Rappler. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  14. ^ Abadilla, Emmie V. (January 11, 2022). "LRT-1 Cavite extension is 62% complete — DOTr". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  15. ^ Piad, Tyrone Jasper C. (June 8, 2024). "LRT line to Cavite still 7 years from becoming operational". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "DOTR: Partial operations of LRT-1 Cavite Extension expected by October 2024". ABS-CBN News. June 18, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "Aquino OK's 5 big projects". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 6, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "LRT Line 6 Project Construction, Operation and Maintenance". Public–Private Partnership Center. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  19. ^ Desiderio, Louella. "Bidding for LRT-6 starts". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  20. ^ Paz, Chrisee De La (March 4, 2016). "LRT6 PPP bidding postponed". RAPPLER. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  21. ^ Amojelar, Darwin G. (May 6, 2016). "LRT Line 6 bidding deferred". Manila Standard. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "LRT 6 delayed".
  23. ^ "Investment council to decide on 13 unsolicited proposals by 2019 —PPP Center". December 20, 2018.
  24. ^ "UPDATED LIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRITICAL PROJECTS (EPs) WITH ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC)" (PDF).
  25. ^ a b c d e "LRT6-Executive Summary English" (PDF). Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. August 15, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  26. ^ a b c d e "CAVITE-LAGUNA PUBLIC TRANSPORT MASTER PLAN AND THE PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY OF MEDIUM-CAPACITY RAIL SYSTEM IN THE REPUBLIC OF PHILIPPINES" (PDF). Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. February 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  27. ^ "LRT 6 Project Info Memorandum" (PDF). Department of Transportation and Communications. May 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  28. ^ "ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT | LRT Line 6-A and Line 6-B+C Project" (PDF).