LRMC sets priorities in LRT-1 rehab

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) on Thursday said it has started assessing the trains, substations, tracks, and passenger terminals LRT-1 to determine the extent of work needed to bring the commuter rail system in tip-top shape.  

 

“Together with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), LRMC will work to complete the full assessment of Line 1 as soon as possible,” LRMC President and CEO Jesus P. Francisco said in an emailed statement.

 

Two weeks after taking control of the LRT-1 operations and maintenance, LRMC has already found a few items to prioritize.

 

“The priority is to bring back more light rail vehicles (LRVs) on the line to reduce the customers’ waiting time,” Francisco said.

 

“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,” he added.

 

The tracks need to be repaired to be able to handle the higher speeds of the new trains. “We also need to improve the condition of the rails in preparation for the time when we can bring the trains up to speed,” Francisco said.

 

LRMC earlier disclosed plans to upgrade the passenger terminals, escalators and elevators in the train stations.

 

LRMC took over the LRT-1 operations and maintenance last September 12 as part of the concession agreement with the DOTC and the LRTA for the P65-billion LRT-1 Cavite extension project under the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News