How To Ride The LRT : A Provincial Girl's Guide in The Metro

The things you will need:

1. LRT Route Map

2. Google Map

3. Fare

4. Your Destination

5. Lakas ng Loob (courage)

Download the LRT 1, 2 and MRT Map 

• Just download/save the route map

YELLOW LINE - LRT 1

PURPLE LINE - LRT 2

BLUE LINE - MRT

Familiarize Your Destination

Example:

• You currently live in Sta. Mesa Manila.
• You want to go to Gateway Mall
• You must know where is Gateway Mall located.

Open your Google Map app

• Search for Gateway Mall
• Enter your current location using the Google map.
• You will learn that Gateway Mall is located in Quezon City
• Zoom in your Google Map and you will learn that Gateway Mall is just 4 minutes away from ARANETA CENTER CUBAO STATION.
• You will also learn that your current location, which is Sta. Mesa, Manila, the LRT Station near you is LRT 2 - PUREZA Station (Yellow line).
• Therefore, you will need to ride a jeep or walk to PUREZA Station.
• Once you arrive at Pureza station, the security guard will check your bags. Sometimes there's a long queue before you can enter the station.
• You may opt to ride the elevator or take the stairs to go up.

Buy Ticket

• Find the small glass cubicle where you can buy your ticket. 
• Look at the fare posted in the glass cubicle. There's a list of routes and their designated fares.
• Since you want to go to GATEWAY MALL, which is 4 minutes away from ARANETA CENTER CUBAO STATION, Hence, you tell the ticket issuer to give you a ticket to ARANETA CENTER CUBAO STATION only. The usual fare from Pureza to Araneta Center Cubao Station is only P20.00.
• The ticket issuer will then give you a piece of card that looks like an ATM card. 
• I strongly recommend you to ask the guard where is the entrance to the train going to Araneta Center Cubao Station if you are not sure which way to enter. The notice inside the station is somewhat confusing sometimes especially if it's your first, second, and third time to ride the LRT.
• You may need to take another staircase before you will arrive in the waiting area.
• Look down on the floor. You will notice that there is a yellow arrow indicating where you'll have to stand and wait for the train. I recommend that you should not stand in the middle because that is where the passengers will usually cross when they alight from the train.
• During rush hour, you may notice that the train is jampacked with passengers. You may or may not ride immediately on the train if you think there's no more space for you when it arrives. I recommend that you should wait for another 5 to 7 minutes before another train arrives. In my experience, I have tried waiting for about 4 trains before I was able to slip myself inside.
• If you're lucky enough, you may find yourself seated on the chairs inside the train but if the train is jampacked, you have no choice but to do the standing position. 
• Once you are inside the LRT, listen to the instructions of the train operator on the speaker.
• Also, look above the train's ceiling, you will notice, there's also a route map.
• In every station, the operator will inform the passengers that they have arrived at a specific station.  
• Since you want to go to Araneta Center Cubao Station, there will be FIVE (5) train stops before you will arrive at your destination. 

                  from  PUREZA STATION ----> V. MAPA (1) --->  J. RUIZ (2) ----> GILMORE (3) ----> 

                                   BETTY GO BELMONTE (4)----> ARANETA CENTER CUBAO (5)

• It will only take about 10 to 20 minutes or less to arrive at Araneta Center Cubao Station from Pureza station.
• Congratulations, you have arrived at Araneta Center Cubao. Wait for the LRT door to open before alighting the train.
• Hurry up in alighting the train because the door usually closes for about 10 to 20 seconds. 
• Once you arrived in Araneta Center Cubao Station, you will notice that there's a mall within the LRT station. Do not hesitate to ask the security guard for directions where is GATEWAY MALL located.
• Again, Congratulations because you have arrived successfully at your destination by availing the services of LRT.

THE RECAP

1. Plan your destination
2. Check Google Map what is the nearest LRT or MRT station you're currently located.
3. Familiarize the LRT routes
4.  Buy a ticket at the payment center located inside the LRT station. Ticket price will depend on where you are going.
5. Just SCAN the ATM ticket on the entrance.
6. When you exit the station, just INSERT the ATM ticket on the slot. DO NOT SCAN it anymore. 
7. Look at exit signs whether you'd like to go out on the north exit or south exit.  Actually, it really depends on where you want to go. Better ask the security guards what is the best choice to exit.

TIPS

• find someone who knows how to use the LRT on your first LRT ride.
• avoid rush hours (early morning rides, before lunch, after lunch, before dinner) It is usually not jampacked around 9 to 10 am, 2 to 4 pm, and 7 pm to 10:30 (Some LRT closes at 9pm)
• ride only an LRT if you're not bringing lots of items of baggage. If you're bringing lots of shopping bags or heavy things, I do not recommend you to take the LRT. 
• be vigilant on your personal belongings especially if the train is jam-packed, there's a possibility of pickpocketing. 

Line up to buy your ticket

Ticket costs vary upon your destination

Just TAP the card upon entry and INSERT inside the slot to exit.

The LRT 2 is much cozier and spacious compared to LRT 1 and the MRT.