LRT-2 eyes more operational trains by April

More operational trains are expected to run on the Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT-2) System by April 2021, just in time for the opening of the East Extension Project.

On Friday, March 5, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Reynaldo Berroya led a random inspection of the ongoing installation of train propulsion system and train monitoring system on three trainsets at LRT-2 Depot Maintenance Area.

LRT-2 maintenance provider AMSCO JV (joint venture of APT Global Inc., MultiScan Corporation, and Opus Land, Inc.) and manufacturer Woojin Industrial Systems Co, Ltd started the installation of the said systems last March 3, 2021.

“We are fast-tracking the restoration of the three (3) trainsets to augment the existing operational trains of Line 2 and to reduce the current 14-minute headway to nine (9) minutes,” the Administrator noted.

He added that fielding more trains will result to the accommodation of more than 20,000 passengers daily in addition to the current average daily ridership of 40,000.

“As train occupancy of passengers is regulated during this time of pandemic with passenger safety as our top priority, deploying additional trains will certainly help us cut the travel time of our commuters,” Administrator Berroya said.

Restoration of Other Down Trains

The LRT-2 Engineering Department noted that the restoration of the two trains involved in the collision incident is currently underway and is eyed for completion in the 3rd quarter of 2021.

“With the commitment provided by our maintenance provider, manufacturer, and the LRTA, we expect to have eight (8) trainsets and ten (10) trainsets by 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter of 2021, respectively,” Administrator Berroya stated.

The Administrator also stressed that other down trains are set to be rehabilitated and new trainsets are planned to be procured for the LRT-2 East and West Extension Projects.

“A faster, smoother and more reliable mass transportation is what our passengers deserve. I assure the public that the LRTA is committedly working towards restoring the overall efficiency of the LRT-2 System,” Administrator Berroya reiterated.