Month: August 2016

31 August 2016, MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) passengers can expect less of the track noise and rough ride while onboard the trains as Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) recently commenced the installation of new rails from Baclaran to 5thAvenue stations.

According to LRMC Engineering Director Rudy Chansuyco, “This is also good news for those living in close proximity to the stations as these new set of rails will notably decrease vibrations and lessen noise levels coming from the trains.”

The project covers 21 kilometers of rail tracks on the northbound route and five kilometers on the southbound route. These replacements will be the final phase to complete the overall rehabilitation of the LRT-1’s tracks system.

Previous operator Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) completed the first phase of rail replacements along the southbound route last December 2015 on top of the eight kilometers already replaced in previous years.

These rail replacements are part of the systematic upgrades being done by LRMC to improve the facilities and services for the more than 400,000 passengers of LRT-1 daily. LRT-1 trains currently run at 40 kph. In the coming year, once rail replacements are finished, the maximum speed is expected to reach 60 kph. The replaced rails will also increase the lifespan of the light rail vehicles or LRVs, avoid wear and tear of the rolling stock, and ensure the reliability of the whole train system.

24 August 2016, MANILA, PHILIPPINES — In this day and age, people are very much attached to their gadgets. Crowds are always fixed to their screens especially while commuting, whether inside the jeep or in trains like LRT1. To address the need of its more than 400,000 everyday commuters to stay online even as they journey around the metro, LRMC recently partnered with Globe Telecom to provide WiFi connection in all LRT1 stations.

With this partnership, all 20 LRT1 stations will soon be powered with Globe Telecom’s connectivity that will enable passengers to connect and keep in touch with loved ones, communicate for work, or surf the web for information.

In photo during the partnership signing at the Globe Towers in Taguig City are (L-R): Globe Telecom Senior Vice President for Program Governance Network Technical Group Joel Agustin; PHAR Managing Director for Asia Prem Bhatia; Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu; LRMC President and CEO Jesus Francisco; and LRMC Business Development Head Janet Bautista.

Customer service, experience at fore with Project Arangkada
KILALANIN: Unang babaeng driver ng LRT-1
1st LRT 1 lady driver followed engine roar in her heart
Look: First lady LRT driver
LRMC introduces first female driver of LRT-1
LRMC introduces first female driver of LRT-1
Si Kathleen, ang 1st lady driver ng LRT

09 August 2016, MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) operator of LRT 1 today announced the hiring of its first female driver, who is among the new batch of station personnel hired and deployed to beef up railway operations on LRT1.

Under Project Arangkada, LRMC recently added 105 station tellers, 25 station supervisors, and 30 train drivers, in a bid to add more trips per day and open more teller booths at the station.

All new hires of LRMC had to fulfill strict requirements, with focus on the personnel’s technical competence, skills, and aptitude.

Under these strict hiring guidelines, LRMC hired its first female driver, 26 year old Kathleen dela Paz, a Hotel Restaurant Management graduate, wife, and mother of two. She started driving the trains earlier this month, following her completion of a specialized training course, taken alongside her fellow drivers.

“LRMC is very proud to hire its first lady driver demonstrating our company’s belief that skills and competence are not gender-specific. Ms. Dela Paz has shown prowess, customer-orientation, and a willingness to learn that dovetails with LRMC’s customer-focused philosophy,” said LRMC Operations Director Rodrigo Bulario.

Ms. Dela Paz, along with the new drivers, underwent specialized training to ensure that they could adequately serve in their respective positions. The training sessions comprised both technical and practical aspects, such as safety communication, incident/accident management, fault reporting, basic train driving and intervention, and hauling procedure for drivers. Refresher courses and customer service training are also regularly given to LRMC personnel.

Project Arangkada operationalizes LRMC’s mandate to increase train capacity to serve the estimated 400,000 commuters who ride LRT1 everyday.

08 August 2016, MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Elevators and escalators at two passenger stations of Light Rail Transit (LRT 1) are now back in operation, following the issuance of permits to operate by the city governments of Manila and Pasay.

According to LRT 1 operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the six escalators and two elevators at the Doroteo Jose Station and two elevators at the EDSA Station are among the 32 lifts already rehabilitated in partnership with original equipment manufacturers Schindler and Otis.

The Company is optimistic that the lifts in Roosevelt, Balintawak, and Monumento stations will likewise be granted permits to operate in the next few months for the convenience of the average 400,000 commuters along the LRT 1.

The restored elevators and escalators also include upgrades incorporating PWD-compliant features such as Braille buttons, accessibility of location of the controls to persons in wheelchairs, among others.

Since taking over the concession last September 2015, LRMC has been undertaking system improvements on LRT 1 such as the repair of light rail vehicles (LRVs), rail replacements, deployment of additional manpower and improvement of the stations’ lighting for the safety and better visibility of passengers.

Earlier, LRMC announced the improvements of LRT-1 passenger stations in preparation for the delivery of new trains from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). All 20 passenger stations of the existing LRT 1 system will be improved to enhance accessibility, safety and security of commuters.

LRMC is the joint venture of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. and Ayala’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. (AC Infra) and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.