Loose, windblown tarp disrupts LRT-2 run

The operation of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 was interrupted for almost an hour on Tuesday morning after a torn tarpaulin sheet got entangled with the power line between the train system’s V. Mapa and Pureza stations.

Hernando Cabrera, LRT-2 spokesperson, said the entire system’s power supply had to be cut at 10:19 a.m., leading to the offloading of hundreds of passengers.

But provisional service was restored 11 minutes later between the Cubao and Santolan stations while clearing operations were being done on the affected power line. Cabrera said the tarpaulin may have belonged to one of the ambulant vendors in the area who used it for shade.

He noted that similar disruptions had happened before and were caused by balloons or kites. The LRT-2 resumed full operations at 11:15 a.m.

Asked if ambulant vendors would now be barred near the LRT-2 line, Cabrera said the initiative must come from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units concerned. —Jovic Yee