Railway systems in Metro Manila will cut short their operating schedule on December 24 and 31 to give way for the much needed maintenance of their facilities, taking advantage of the fewer passengers during these dates.

On December 24 and 31, Line 1 (Monumento-Baclaran) last commercial train will depart from Baclaran to Monumento at 8 p.m. and Monumento to Baclaran at 8:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the last commercial train for Line 2 (Santolan, Pasig-Recto, Manila) will depart from Santolan to Recto at 8 p.m. and Recto to Santolan at 8:30 p.m.

Also, the last train of Line 1 on Christmas Day, December 25, December 30, 2009 and January 1, 2010 (New Year’s day) will leave at 9 p.m. in Baclaran going to Monumento while the train will leave Monumento for Baclaran at 9:30 p.m.

For Line 2, the last train on these dates will leave at 9 p.m. in Santolan going to Recto while the train will leave Recto for Santolan at 9:30 p.m.

Citing historical data, LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles said they are expecting low ridership on these dates since most passengers stay at home to prepare for Christmas and New Year's Eve.

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 which travels from North Ave., Quezon City to Taft Avenue, Pasay City has yet to release its schedule for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve as of press time Tuesday night.