-
Fourth-generation light rail vehicles worth P12.8 billion will augment Light Rail Transit Line 1 operations
-
The new trains will boost LRT-1 Cavite Extension, which will open in Q4 2024
-
The Cavite extension line aims to cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor to 25 minutes, from 1 hour and 10 minutes
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) unveiled the fourth-generation light rail vehicles (LRVs) they are deploying on the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) starting July 20.
DOTr and LRMC presented the “state-of-the-art” train set on July 19. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the new trains, commending the transport department and its attached agencies, as well as its public and private partners, for working hand-in-hand to complete the project.
“I recognize the hard work that has been done by the Department of Transportation, the LRTA (Light Rail Transit Authority), and the LRMC, for working together to provide the Filipino people with safe, reliable, and efficient transport services,” Marcos said.
The new trains went into service starting July 20, with LRMC adding one train set per week to the fleet until December. The complete deployment of all the train sets on the main line is expected by the fourth quarter of 2024, when the LRT-1 Cavite Extension begins operations.
Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista detailed the features of the new LRVs, which were acquired for more than P12.8 billion to provide commuters enhanced mobility and matched reliability and safety.
“These new LRVs are equipped with advanced passenger information system, a new signaling system, and ice-cold air-conditioning – leading to a vastly enhanced passenger experience,” Bautista said.
He added that the train’s brakes and signaling system have been upgraded for better passenger safety features. These upgrades will shorten passenger waiting time for trains to under three minutes.
Once completed, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project will reduce travel time between Baclaran, Parañaque, and Bacoor, Cavite, to just 25 minutes from one hour and 10 minutes currently.
Funded by a Japan International Cooperation Agency official development assistance loan, the LRT-1 South (Cavite) Extension Project comprises the procurement of 120 LRVs, expansion of the Baclaran depot in Pasay City, and construction of the new Zapote satellite depot.
