Vito Cruz station (LRT)

This article is about the LRT Line 1 station. For the PNR station, see Vito Cruz station (PNR).

Vito Cruz
General information
Location	Taft Avenue, Malate Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Owned by	Department of Transportation – Light Rail Transit Authority
Operated by	Light Rail Manila Corporation
Line(s)	LRT Line 1
Platforms	2 (2 side)
Tracks	2
Construction
Structure type	Elevated
Parking	Yes (University Mall & Vista Taft)
Other information
Station code	VC
History
Opened	December 1, 1984; 40 years ago (1984-12-01)
Services
Preceding station Manila LRT Following station Quirino towards Fernando Poe Jr. LRT Line 1 Gil Puyat towards Dr. Santos
Location Vito Cruz Location in Manila Show map of Manila Vito Cruz Location in Metro Manila Show map of Metro Manila Vito Cruz Location in Luzon Show map of Luzon Vito Cruz Location in the Philippines Show map of Philippines

Vito Cruz station is an elevated Light Rail Transit (LRT) station located on the LRT Line 1 (LRT-1) system in Malate, Manila. It is the first station going north and the last station going south to lie within Manila city bounds. It is also the tenth station for trains headed to Fernando Poe Jr. and the sixteenth station for trains headed to Dr. Santos. The station takes its name from the old name of the nearby Pablo Ocampo Street, which was named after Hermogenes Vito Cruz, a former alcalde mayor of Pineda (present-day Pasay) c. 1871.

History

The station was opened to the public on December 1, 1984, as part of LRT's inaugural southern section, known as the Taft Line.^[1][2]

Nearby landmarks

The station is near some major landmarks, such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas complex, the University Mall shopping center, and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. The Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex is near this station as well, although commute is also an option due to its distance. Located in this complex are the CCP Main Building, the Philippine International Convention Center, Folk Arts Theater, Manila Film Center, MBC Building, Star City, Aliw Theater and the Harbour Square.

The station is also close to some educational institutions, such as the main campus of Arellano University School of Law, De La Salle University, De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, and St. Scholastica's College. The southbound concourse of the station is connected to the adjacent University Mall, but is currently blocked off as the entrance has since been converted into tenant space. The station was also near Harrison Plaza, which was demolished for a redevelopment by SM Prime.

Transportation links

Buses serving the Taft Avenue route, taxis, jeepneys, UV Express, and pedicabs stop near the station. Some destinations, such as St. Scholastica's College, are within walking distance from the station. There is also a Philippine National Railways station of the same name, although the station is far from the station, requiring a commute from the station.

Incidents

Vito Cruz station is notorious for its unusually high number of suicide attempts.^[3] As a result, the LRTA has imposed a "speed limit" on trains entering stations to deter the number of successful suicides.^[4][5]

References

1. "The LRT as a Component of Metro Manila's Transport Systems" (PDF). Philippine Planning Journal. XVII (1). School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines: 33-45. October 1985. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
2. "Railway Operations". Light Rail Transit Authority. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
3. Macapagal, Maan (30 August 2012). "LRT driver faces raps over woman's suicide: police". ABS-CBNnews.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
4. Adrian, Marc (18 January 2019). "A Commuter's Guide To Metro Manila's LRT Network". iMoney Philippines. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
5. Ronda, Rainier Allan (22 August 2014). "MRT sets speed limit for trains". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 27 June 2019.

14°33′48.51″N 120°59′40.85″E