After the roll-out of the previous magnetic tickets for the LRT 1 and MRT 2, the next set of designs featured former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. The “Arroyo-Abe Series” became available when the procurement was made for the LRT 1’s third generation trains.
Ticket Design
These magnetic tickets were released around the time that the government procured the LRT 1’s third-generation trainsets. The front of the cards display both Arroyo and Abe pouring champaigne on one of the units in December 2006.
The back of each ticket displays some reminders in English and Filipino on how to use the card. It also shows the station listing for either “LRT 1” or “MRT 2”. This was because the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) made this series a “unified” one, with a common design for the two train lines. The only difference is in the map displayed on the reverse side. At the time, both Manila train lines were still operated and maintained by the LRTA. By now, it can be noted that the LRT 1’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) is already under the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC).
The tickets have varying colors at the top edge, indicating for which purpose on either line (Line 1 or 2). The header color is also the same color used for the background on the reverse side of each card.
You can view the card designs by opening the gallery below!
LRT 1 Tickets
There are two colors assigned for the single journey tickets (SJT): red and green. Blue and orange are assigned for the stored value tickets (SVT), one each for the regular and the discounted SVT (i.e., for seniors and PWDs).
The LRT 1’s “North Extension Project” has not started yet at this point, which is why the train line’s northernmost terminal is still Monumento in the system map at the reverse side.
MRT 2 Tickets
Purple is the color assigned for the MRT 2’s SJT — presumably because Line 2 is the Purple Line. 😉
On the other hand, pink is for the Discounted SVT for seniors and PWDs.
I believe there is yet another card / color for the regular SVT, but I don’t have that on hand. (If there is anyone who can share it, please do so in the comments!)
“It’s MRT 2”
It is also notable that there is a line number designation at the reverse side. This especially shows that Line 2, aka Megatren, has been correctly labeled as MRT 2, not LRT 2.
There has been a lot of discussion on whether this train line should be called an ‘MRT’ or ‘LRT’. There is technical merit for it to be called “MRT 2” as its train bodies are definitely not light–rail type. A Facebook Page pushes for this to correct the misconception.
However it seems to be referenced more popularly by people as “LRT 2” because its operation and management has always been by the LRTA. Notably, there’s been an “LRT 1” for the longest time. People also love sequels I guess!
In this magnetic ticket series though, we refer to it here as “MRT 2”. This is for the sake of historical and technical accuracy.
Conclusion
The Arroyo-Abe Series celebrates the launch of the third-generation light rail vehicles of the LRT 1. The tickets themselves serve as the third- and the second-set of magnetic tickets for LRT 1 and MRT 2, respectively. It unifies the design for the two lines as they were both under the government-run Light Rail Transit Authority.
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Put More LRT Arroyo Ticket Sires