70% passenger capacity beginning November 4
Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is all set to accommodate more passengers after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved the recommendation of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to increase passenger capacity in rail public transport from the current 30% to 70% starting today, 4 November 2021
Each LRT-1 trainset will now be able to increase capacity from the current 337 to 785 passengers (Gen-1 trains); from 407 to 951 (Gen-2 trains); and from 416 to 972 (Gen-3 trains). To ensure compliance with the train capacity limitation, LRMC will continue implementing the Passenger Limit per Platform (PLPP) scheme. There will also be roving train marshals and security officers to enforce protocols such as wearing of face mask, face shield, and no-talking policy inside the trains. These will be supplemented by regular announcements on PA systems and signages.
LRMC continues to boost its health and safety protocols as it endeavors to strengthen the trust and confidence of commuters in public transport. The company has recently been awarded the Safety Seal by the Pasay City local government highlighting the company’s compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
In time for the expected increase in passengers, LRMC has also attained 98% vaccination rate for its passenger-facing personnel and 93% for non-passenger-facing personnel, resulting to a 96% company-wide vaccination rate. This was achieved through the MVP Group #WeGotYourVac Program and the company’s partnership with Pasay City alongside other local government vaccination programs.
“We express our gratitude to the government for recognizing the transport sector’s role in reopening the economy safely. We look forward to serving more commuters and allowing them to reach their destinations smoothly and safely. LRT-1 is one of the safest and fastest modes of transportation. By ensuring efficient operations for LRT-1, we are able to shorten headways or waiting times between trains so people will have less exposure time in their daily commute. We assure our passengers that safety remains a top priority for LRMC,” said LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso.
Other measures implemented by LRMC include diligent temperature checks for all passengers and employees before entering LRT-1 premises; installation of disinfection mats; regular chemical disinfection complemented by UVC disinfection of trains and stations; and promotion of contactless payments. Proper ventilation is assured with fresh air exchanged every time a train stops at the station, and it is also filtered in the LRT-1’s air-conditioning units with installed hospital-grade High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration system.
LRT-1 operates daily following this train service schedule: Northbound train (4:30AM to 9:15PM), Southbound train (4:30AM to 9:30PM).
For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.
LRMC is a joint venture company of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation (AC Infra), and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd. (MIHPL). It assumed operations and maintenance of LRT-1 in September 2015 through a PHP 65-billion 32-year concession agreement with the Department of Transportation and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). LRT-1 is Metro Manila’s ISO-certified train system.