LRT Line 1 Enhances Transport Capacity with Gen-4 Trains
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 in Manila has witnessed a significant increase in its transport capacity following the introduction of fourth-generation (Gen-4) train sets on the railway. This upgrade has resulted in a 10 percent to 20 percent boost in transport capacity, benefiting commuters in the bustling city.
According to Jacqueline Gorospe, the spokesperson of LRT 1’s private operator, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), their current fleet now serves 460 daily trips on weekdays, up from 410 previously. On weekends, the railway has also seen an uptick in transport capacity, with daily trips rising from 293 to 331 on Saturdays and 307 on Sundays.
LRMC currently operates a fleet of 23 units, which includes nine Gen-4 trains. The first Gen-4 train set was deployed in July, featuring four light rail vehicles (LRVs) and accommodating up to 1,388 passengers per trip. Gorospe revealed their target of deploying a total of 20 Gen-4 trains for commercial service by the end of this year. An additional 10 Gen-4 units are expected to arrive between November 2023 and February 2024, ensuring that by the fourth quarter of next year, all 30 Gen-4 units will be operational on the main line.
Notably, these Gen-4 trains will also serve the Cavite extension line, currently under construction. The extension project spans 11.8 kilometers and covers major cities like Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque. It is designed to accommodate up to 800,000 passengers daily. LRMC is collaborating with construction company Bouygues Travaux Publics for this ambitious project, with the first segment expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of next year.
In order to fund infrastructure upgrades and maintenance, LRMC implemented a fare hike on August 2, which was approved in June. The minimum boarding fare increased from P11 to P13.29, while the additional fare per kilometer rose from P1 to P1.29. This fare adjustment is the first since 2015 when the rail line previously saw an increase.
LRMC had filed petitions for fare adjustments in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022, but they were all deferred. The revised fare matrix now sets the cost for LRT 1 rides paid via stored value cards at P14 to P35 and single journey tickets at P15 to P35. Both options have experienced nominal increases.
The deployment of Gen-4 trains and the fare adjustment reflect LRMC’s commitment to improving transport services for the increasing number of commuters in Manila. The enhanced transport capacity will alleviate the congestion faced by passengers on a daily basis, providing smoother and more comfortable journeys.
With further development in the pipeline, such as the Cavite extension line, Manila’s LRT Line 1 is set to transform the transportation landscape and better serve the needs of millions of passengers in the bustling city.
