LRT-2 to allow pets in February

YOUR next seat mate in the LRT-2 could have four legs and fur.

The Light Rail Transit Authority said on Thursday that it would allow furparents to bring their pets inside LRT-2 stations and trains beginning February.

LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera said the agency is now briefing security personnel on the implementation of the new policy.

This is part of the LRTA’s move to make the railway pet-friendly.

“Ang objective lang naman natin dito is gawin nating pet-friendly yung ating sistema,” he said at the Laging Handa briefing.

Pet requirements

There will be rules for the entry of pets.

Cabrera said that to be allowed in the LRT-2, the pets must be up to date with their rabies vaccinations. 

They must also be in a cage or in a carrier so that they would not bother other passengers, and must be clean and in a diaper, he said.

He said the LRT-2 management would not allow pets that are just on a leash.

“Ang policy na pinapaikot namin ngayon is more on cage, dapat naka cage. Kasi yung nakatali baka magkaroon tayo ng operational problem pag andun na sa loob ng train or andun sa istasyon. Mas maganda kung naka cage siya,” he said.

The size of the pets allowed would also be limited, he said.

It would be difficult to bring large pets inside the trains as these could be crowded at times, he said. 

The LRT-2 runs from east to west of Metro Manila and vice versa. It has 13 stations. 

MRT-3 pet policy

The LRT-2 will be the next railway in the country to allow pets.

In 2021, the MRT-3 allowed commuters to travel with their pets as long as these are placed inside pet carriers. 

The maximum size of the carriers is 2 feet by 2 feet. 

How about the LRT-1?

Cabrera said that eventually, the LRTA may ask the private operator of the LRT-1 to implement the pet-friendly policy.

Many establishments in the Philippines are becoming pet-friendly.

Shopping malls have allowed pets in the establishments as long as these are on leashes or wearing diapers.