Month: January 2018

26 January 2018, Manila, Philippines—The operator of LRT-1, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), announced its record achievement of five million safe man-hours for its employees without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) as of October 31, 2017. The company said that the milestone mirrors the management’s efforts in creating a safe environment for LRT-1 employees.

An LTI is an injury suffered by an employee on the job that results in a fatality, permanent disability, or time lost from work. The LTI reference is recognized globally as a key indicator of a company’s safety performance.

LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso said that the achievement is attributed to a number of safety programs and projects undertaken since the company assumed operations and maintenance of Manila’s 32-year old rail line.

The programs include a five-part Technical Safety and Awareness Training, which was given to more than 380 employees who undergo the LRMC Basic Safety Induction as part of their onboarding process. Maintenance supervisors and personnel were trained in safely working at heights, electrical, power tools, hand tools, and welding safety, as well as Lockout-tagout (LOTO), which is a safety procedure to ensure that employees are free from unexpected energization or startup of equipment and machinery.

Various workshops on operation-related skills training were also conducted alongside Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), wherein LRMC maintenance staff were certified on forklift and scaffolding safety.

Both announced and unannounced emergency drills are carried out on a regular basis to ensure each one is aware of the safety procedures during specific emergencies. Members of the Emergency Response Team are trained to function as fire brigade when necessary. With help from Bureau of Fire Protection, LRMC conducted two 40-hours training on fire safety. In addition, station supervisors, tellers, and other LRMC personnel were trained with first aid and basic life support.

With regards to safety improvement projects, Alfonso cited the provision of pedestrian walkways to prevent accidental contact with vehicular traffic while walking in the depot premises. Signs are posted at strategic locations of the depot to serve as safety reminders and guidelines. Additionally, concrete pathways were constructed to prevent slip/trip and fall hazards while walking in the depot-stabling yard and connecting line. Everyone is also required to wear a safety vest when walking across the depot tracks.

Leading LRMC’s safety efforts are the 11 members of the Management Committee and 25 other employees who went through a day-long workshop, wherein they pledged their personal commitment to safety. A half-day workshop on safety leadership was also participated by the Management through the Safety Management by Walking Around (SMBWA) that involved a total of 110 Engineering supervisors, engineers, and lead men.

Alfonso stressed that the company recognizes the importance of employee safety and that they will continue to find better ways of managing the risk of injury to LRMC personnel.

16 January, 2018, Manila, Philippines—Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1 ) operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) inaugurated yesterday five additional drinking fountains to bring the total to ten units across ten LRT-1 stations.

Now, more passengers have access to potable water at the Doroteo Jose, Tayuman, R. Papa, United Nations, 5th Avenue, Baclaran, Monumento, Roosevelt, Carriedo, and Balintawak Stations.

“We are very excited to partner with Maynilad for the GinhaWASH program and hopeful to explore more locations for more drinking fountains for our passengers,” said LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso. “We look forward to more partnerships with Maynilad in the future, for a better biyaheng everyday experience for our riding public.”

LRMC and Maynilad both aim to increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene as part of the station improvements of LRMC for LRT-1. Since taking over last 2015, the private operator has undertaken a P500-million Station Improvement Program which is targeted for completion end-2018.

10 January, 2018, MANILA – LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) today disclosed a record ridership for the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, Tuesday.

LRMC reported a 14% increase in throughput from 494,323 passengers on the same day last year, to 565,928 this year. This figure is also higher by 26% over the total ridership of 448,328 in 2016.

LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Juan F. Alfonso emphasized that despite the record ridership, passenger comfort was not compromised. “The teamwork and customer focus of LRMC team members allowed us to anticipate the surge in passengers and still deliver efficient service,” Alfonso said. “There was zero incident for that day with 96 light rail vehicles (LRVs) comprising 30 trains on the line.”

LRMC also extended the operating hours of LRT-1 last January 9 to accommodate the pilgrims of the Black Nazarene until 11:00 p.m.

Earlier, the private operator reported the completion of rail replacement of the 29-kilometer tracks traversing Roosevelt Station in Quezon City and Baclaran Station in Pasay City. It has also increased the number of daily trips from 498 to 554, with reduced headway, or interval between trains, from five minutes to 3.5 minutes.

In less than two years since assuming management of LRT-1, LRMC has improved efficiencies resulting in increased number of trains and trips, reduced passenger waiting time, improved safety and cleanliness of the stations, increased ridership, extended operating hours, increased customer satisfaction and the achievement of ISO certifications for quality management and environmental management, all unprecedented milestones in the 32-year history of Manila’s oldest light rail system.