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.