Month: October 2015

21 October 2015, MANILA, PHILIPPINES – In preparation for the delivery of new trains, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) today disclosed that all 20 passenger stations of the existing LRT Line 1 system will be improved to enhance accessibility, safety and security of commuters.

LRMC President and CEO Jesus P. Francisco said, “When government brings in new light rail vehicles (LRVs), we expect passenger traffic to increase; thus, the need to make sure
that the stations are ready to handle the expanded capacity.” The plan, he said, is consistent with its commitment to provide better service and giving commuters the best station environment as possible.

The Station Improvement Project will start with Doroteo Jose Station, the interchange terminal of LRT Lines 1 and 2 in Sta. Cruz, Manila. After the improvements, it is expected that stations will be well-lit and organized to allow better passenger flow.

Construction for Doroteo Jose Station is targeted to start on December 2015.

In March 2016, the two biggest stations, Central and Baclaran, and three smaller stations, R. Papa, Abad Santos, and Gil Puyat will follow. The rest of the 14 will start in May and August 2016.

“The Station Improvement Project complements our plan to enhance passenger safety, comfort and convenience and is aligned with our objective of improving the efficiency of the LRT1 system.” Francisco said.

LRT Line 1 currently accommodates a daily average of 400,000 commuters from Baclaran in Pasay City to Roosevelt in Quezon City.

LRMC took over operation and maintenance of LRT Line 1 last September 12. It will also be responsible for the construction of the 11.7-kilometer extension from the present end point at Baclaran to the Niog area in Bacoor, Cavite.

The extended rail line is expected to help increase the capacity of LRT 1 from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers daily and benefit more than four million residents in the southern part of Metro Manila and of Cavite.

01 October 2015, MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Two weeks into the operations of LRT Line 1, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has embarked on an assessment of the trains, substations, tracks and passenger terminals to determine the extent of work needed to improve light rail service for approximately 400,000 passengers daily.

LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Jesus P. Francisco said the company is prioritizing the baseline requirements for passenger safety and convenience. “The priority is to bring back more light rail vehicles (LRVs) on the line to reduce the customers’ waiting time,” he stressed. “We also need to improve the condition of the rails in preparation for the time when we can bring up the trains up to speed.”

As part of LRMC’s system-wide review, the assessment of the power supply system, line and catenary system, signaling, and telecommunications is also being undertaken. “Together with DOTC and LRTA, LRMC will work to complete the full assessment of Line 1 as soon as possible,” he added.

Earlier, the company has disclosed plans to upgrade the passenger terminals, including facilities such as escalators and elevators – all 32 of which across the stations will be repaired and overhauled. Already, the company has started with the restoration of lighting at all passenger terminals for enhanced passenger safety.

“LRMC is committed to passenger safety and convenience which are the foremost objectives of our partnership with the Government,” Francisco explained. “Expanding the capacity of the trains to lessen waiting time means refurbishing existing trains and purchasing new ones to complement the Government’s acquisition of new LRVs which we hope will come as per DOTC and LRTA’s timetable.”

LRMC is a joint venture company of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation (AC Infra), and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd. (MIHPL).

On October 2 last year, LRMC signed a Concession Agreement with the DOTC and LRTA for the P65-billion LRT 1 Cavite Extension, Operation & Maintenance Project which is part of the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan (PDP) of the Philippine Government to accelerate infrastructure.

LRTA operated LRT 1 until September 12, 2015, when it was turned over to LRMC. LRT 1 was originally constructed in 1981 with 18 stations from Baclaran to Monumento. Full commercial operations started in May 1985. A further 5.7-kilometer and two additional stations were added to the existing line at the northern end, with full operation from Baclaran to Roosevelt commencing October 22, 2010.