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Avenida - From Trams to Trains

August 14, 2008

Did you know that the LRT in Avenida is the first elevated rail system in Southeast Asia? On july 12, 1980, president Ferdinand Marcos created a project of having an elavated rail system to reduce traffic congestion in the area, of course, Imelda Marcos became the chairman of the project, she was also the governor of Metro Manila at that time.

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(Light Rail Transit - Yellow Line)

The LRT was first test-ran in March of 1984 with its first half stations, from Baclaran to Central Terminal. It was opened to the public on December 1, 1984. After a year, the second half was opened on May 12, 1985, from Central Terminal to Monumento.

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(Vito Cruz LRT Station)

The LRT has a 15-kilometer fully elevated track which consists of 18 stations. The line commences at Baclaran, and ends in Monumento, passing to the cities of Pasay, Manila and Caloocan. The current LRT fare ranges from 12 to 15 pesos, being the cheapest rapid transit in Southeast Asia.

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(Postcard - Tranvia in Escolta, Manila - American Period)

Before the LRT was constructed, Tram network was already established in Avenida and Escolta date back to the American period. The first tranvia opened in Manila in 1905, which connects Manila’s busiest streets, just like first class cities in Europe.

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(An Old Tram in a Museum)

The old Manila Tranvia was operated by Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company, now known as Meralco. Some of the old trams that were used during that time can still be seen in the Meralco Museum.

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(An Old Station of Tranvia in Sta Cruz - Old Postcard)

Stations of the old Tranvia can be seen in this old photo. A tram station particularly at the back of Sta Cruz church in Plaza Goiti, Carriedo. Presently, this plaza is now dedicated to the former mayor of Manila, Lacson.

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(An Old Picture of Avenida Manila - American Period)

The present location of the LRT in Avenida is using the same path of the old Manila tranvia. The left picture above shows the intersection of Avenida and Carriedo during the American occupation. The right photo shows the same location, now with elevated rail system, which is the LRT.

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(Trams in Escolta Manila)

The old Manila Tranvia can also be seen in the street of Escolta from Sta Cruz going to Binondo, and from Jones bridge entering the walled city of Intramuros.

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(Old Photo of Intramuros)

After the world war II, the city of Manila was totally devastaded, including the product of its former glory, the Manila Tranvia…

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(Carriedo Street, Sta Cruz, Manila - Before WW2)

The tranvia network was totally shut down after the Japanese forces bombed the entire city.

Posted by manilahub at 9:17 am | permalink

Previous Comments

I didn’t know that the Philippines had trams before. I have only seen actual trams when I went to Germany and Switzerland recently. And actually wished that the Philippines could have also these kind of transport systems.

I heard the word “tramvia” before; some old people mention this term. But I actually didn’t realize that it was the tram which I saw in Europe.

Thanks for posting your interesting article.

Posted by Jeffrey Zamora at September 8, 2008, 2:29 am

Hi Sir:

Some comments which you might find helpful:

On the line:

“Some of the old trams that were used during that time can still be seen in the Meralco Museum.”

The displayed Tram on the museum is just a faithful imitation of the original and was built by Meralco’s skilled hands.

On the line:

“The right photo shows the same location, now with elevated rail system, which is the LRT.”

The photo was not there as mentioned.

I remember plying Escolta in the late fifties though I only recall eating and dining in the better parlors as a child. My mother used to talk about this “trambya” as a transpo system affordable only for the few well-off or employed city dwellers. I suppose the network was gone then as I didn’t have a memory of a tranvia ride.

Kudos Sir! Your articles do give me an insight of what was Manila before my childhood.

Posted by Ed Lim at February 10, 2009, 8:33 am

Hi! Very interesting article. I was just wondering, where’d you get your sources? I would like to use them for my english paper if that’s okay. :)

Posted by Kinnie at January 29, 2010, 1:14 pm

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