Notice this lately? If you are a frequent LRT rider, you would’ve already noticed a cleaner and brighter looking Doroteo Jose LRT-1 station. The floorings are no longer drabby, walls were painted clean, the huge ad walls that obstruct ventilation were removed and the ceilings were also given some face lift. Generous LED lighting fixtures were also installed, along with the ultra commercial video walls.
Accessibility is also improved by the clean up of entrances to the stations (some stations have gone unnoticeable because of the saturation of street vendors) and the complete restoration of elevators and escalators, which now include PWD-friendly features.
In case you’re wondering, this change is part of Light Rail Manila Corporation’s (LRMC) Station Improvement Plan. Doroteo Jose station is just the beginning. Next in line are United Nations, Gil Puyat, Abad Santos, Pedro Gil, and R. Papa stations, which according to LRMC, will be accomplished in June.
LRMC is also working with private companies and merchants to add and improve facilities like in-station ATMs, retail shops and even wi-fi access, to give the passengers a complete and pleasant commuter experience. It’s indeed going to be #ByahengBetterEveryday once all the improvements are completed.
LRMC President and CEO, Mr. Roland Singson has got a great vision and hopes for cooperation from both private and public contractors, so that we can significantly achieve global standards for our mass transport. He sees no reason why we cannot compare our stations and our operations with those of other countries.
More Trains, Rail Replacement Project and LRT-1 CAVITE Extension
Alongside aesthetic revamp, operational and engineering improvements are also underway. Our dear LRT track is already 32 years old and limits to its performance is but expected due to wear and tear.
Good news is that the ongoing rail replacement is almost halfway done (10,583 meters or 40% already complete). The rail replacement project covers the entire 26-kilometer track from Baclaran to 5th Avenue stations. Target completion is end of 2017. Once the new tracks are in place, trains can increase their speed from the current 40 kph to 60 kph.
LRMC also added that as of December 2016, a total of 100 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) are up and running to cater to the increasing ridership of the LRT.
If that’s not enough good news, here something for the residents from the South. The LRT-1 Cavite extension, which will extend from Baclaran to Niog in Bacoor Cavite, is set for groundbreaking by end of February or March. According to Mr. Singson, the right of way for the initial 6-km phase of the Cavite extension project has already been ironed out.
If everything will be in place, the Cavite extension will start operations by 2020 or 2021. A ‘Park and Ride’ is also in the pipeline, but I guess for know, let’s keep our fingers crossed for the extension project to go smoothly. It’s definitely going to be a big convenience for commuters coming from Cavite.
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Light Rail Manila Corporation is a consortium of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings. Follow them on Facebook @officialLRT1 for more news and updates.