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Light Rail Transit Authority

The Light Rail Transit Authority is recognized as the premiere rail transit in the country providing reliable, efficient, dependable, and environment-friendly mass rail services to all residents of Metro Manila. LRTA is a wholly owned government corporation created on July 12, 1980 under Executive Order (EO) No. 603, as amended by EO No. 830 dated September 1982, and EO No. 210 dated July 7, 1987. The LRTA is primarily responsible for the construction, operation, maintenance and/or lease of light rail transit systems in the Philippines. A pioneer of the industry since 1984, LRTA has become the country's prime mover in the rail transport sector serving the needs of millions of Filipinos by exploring avenues where the LRT system could continuously provide efficient transport services while promoting economy and efficiency of operations.

MANDATE

By virtue of Executive Order No. 603, the Light Rail Transit Authority was created to be primarily responsible for the construction, operation, maintenance and/or lease of LRT Systems in the Philippines.

VISION

By 2017 and beyond, LRTA, in partnership with the Private Sector, is the sole government institution that is responsible for the construction, management and operation of urban mass rail transit systems in the country.

MISSION

To provide Metro Manila and the metropolitan areas of the country with integrated Light/Mass Rail Transit Services that are complementary with other transport modes and are safe, secure and compliant with global standards.

Quality Policy / Pledge

We, at LRTA, commit to comply with the requirements of the Quality Management System and continually improve our effectiveness in providing quality urban mass rail transport and related services in order to achieve our goal of "SERBISYONG AYOS!"

The Light Rail transit System

From 1976 to 1977, a fourteen-month study funded by the World Bank was conducted by Freeman Fox and Associates, and this suggested a street-level light railway. The then newly created Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) reviewed and revised the recommendations, introducing an elevated version because of the many intersections. This raised the cost from P1.5 billion to P2 billion. Another foreign firm was commissioned by MOTC for supplementary study which was completed within three months.

Starting The Project

On July 12, 1980, the country's president, Ferdinand E. Marcos, created the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) as a government agency. The Chairman was the then First Lady and Governor of Metro Manila, Imelda Romualdez Marcos. This LRTA confined its activities to determining policies, to the regulation and fixing of fares, and to the planning of extensions to the system. The project was called Metrorail and was operated by a sister company of the former tramway company Meralco, called Metro, Inc. Initial assistance for building the LRT project came from the Belgian government which granted a P300 million "soft" and interest-free loan with a repayment time of 30 years. The project was expected to pay for itself within a period of 20 years out of revenue alone. A Belgian consortium consisting of ACEC (Ateliers de Constructions Electriques de Charleroi, BN), (Constructions Ferroviaires et Metalliques, formerly Brugeoise et Nivelles), TEI (Tractionnel Engineering International) and TC (Transurb Consult) provided an additional loan of P700 million. The consortium provided the cars, signalling, power control, telecommunications, training and technical assistance. The entire system was expected to be financially "in the red" well into 1993. Against an expected gross revenue of P365 million for the first operating year,

government losses were thought likely to reach P216 million. The system was designed as a public utility rather than as a profit center. Construction of the line started in October 1981, and was the responsibility of CDCP (Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines), with assistance from the Swiss firm of Losinger and the American company Dravo, the latter, through its Philippine subsidiary. The government appointed Electrowatt Engineering Services of Zurich (Switzerland) to manage and supervise the project. Electrowatt set up offices in Manila and became responsible for extension studies of the system which eventually comprised 150 km of routes along all major corridors in about 20 years time.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is composed of eight (8) ex-officio cabinet members namely the Secretary of the DOTC as Chairman, the respective Secretaries of the DPWH, DBM, DOF and NEDA, the Chairman of the MMDA and the LTFRB and the Administrator of the LRTA and one (1) representative from the private sector. The Board is tasked to issue, prescribe, and adopt policies, programs, plans, standards, guidelines, procedures, rules,and regulations for implementation, enforcement, and application by the LRTA Management. The Board also convenes to resolve operations-related issues and concerns and other matters requiring immediate attention and resolution.

Chairman of the Board

Sec. Joseph Emilio M. Abaya Secretary Department of Transportation and Communications

BOARD MEMBERS

Mr. Honorito D. Chaneco LRTA

Sec. Cesar V. Purisima DOF

Sec. Florencio B. Abad DBM

Chairman Francis N. Tolentino MMDA

Sec. Rogelio L. Singson DPWH

Chairman Jaime D. Jacob LTFRB

Dr. Epictetus E. Patalinghug Private Sector

Sec. Arsenio M. Balisacan NEDA

Atty. Hernando T. Cabrera Board Secretary V LRTA

Alternate Chairman of the Board

Usec. Rene K. Limcaoco Department of Transportation and Communications

Alternate Members

Engr. Ronaldo F. Corpus LTFRB

Usec. Mario L. Relampagos DBM

Asst. Sec. Ma. Catalina E. Cabral, Ph.D. DPWH

Asst. Sec. Soledad Emilia J. Cruz DOF

Atty. Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan MMDA

Dep. Dir. Gen. Emmanuel F. Esguerra NEDA

KEY DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS:

Board of Directors

Formulates Policies, prescribes and promulgates the rules and regulations for the attainment of the objectives of the Authority. Office of the Corporate Board Secretary

Repository of minutes of board meetings and other deliberations/transactions of the Board of Directors; Prepares Board Resolution, Corporate Secretary Certificate and others; Coordinates with various departments for Board actions that will be acted upon when necessary; Attends Board Management and Executive Committee Meetings and records the deliberation; reviews transcripts of deliberations, letters, reports and other forms of correspondence; and

Coordinates with the members of the Board Members Management/Executive Committee Members for the schedule of activities and meetings. for the schedule of activities and meetings.

Internal Audit Department

Advises the Board of Directors on all matters relating to management control and operations audit; Review and appraise systems and procedures/processes, organizational structure, assets management practices, financial and management records, reports and performance standards of the agencies/units covered; Analyze and evaluate management deficiencies and assist top management by recommending realistic courses of action; and Conduct management and operations audit of LRTA activities and determine the degree of compliance with their mandate, policies, government regulations, established objectives, systems and procedures and contractual obligations.

Office of the Administrator

Formulates and recommends to the LRTA Board the plans and policies related to the administration/management and operation of the existing LRT Lines 1 and 2 Systems and the future LRT/MRT Systems; Implements, enforces, and applies the policies, plans, standards, guidelines, procedures, decisions, rules and regulations issued, prescribed or adopted by the LRTA, DOTC and the Office of the President; Manages the affairs of LRTA in accordance with applicable laws, orders, rules and regulations; Spearheads the conduct/execution of studies concerning the expansion of the LRT System's network and other related development requirement in consultation and coordination with appropriate agencies; Spearheads the conduct of periodic performance, operational and financial audit to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources in the accomplishment of tasks and the achievement of goals and objectives of the Authority; Oversees the enforcement and implementation of safety and security rules and regulations set by the Authority; and Plans, develops and conducts public relations programs and activities of the Authority.

Legal Department

Acts as legal consultant/legal counsel and gives legal advice on official matters; Represents the Agency, the Administrator and other officials of the Authority in civil or criminal cases arising from the performance of official duties before the court/administrative bodies/tribunals; Conducts legal research work and studies on legal queries and renders opinion on such matters; Reviews and recommends approval of contracts entered into by the Authority; and

Reviews/undertakes drafting of proposed rules, regulations, orders, circulars and other regulatory measures regarding operational activities of the Authority.

Planning Department

Oversees the identification and development of necessary information systems, and medium and long term plans and policies of LRTA. Provides direct information to Management a status report of ongoing projects, plans and programs. Business Development and Public Relations Department

Takes charge of property leasing, concessions management and operation of all LRT commercial areas and other LRTA properties with business development potential and handles the promotion and implementation of the public information program of the Authority to increase public awareness on LRT programs and projects. Office of the Deputy Administrator for Administrative, Finance and Automated Fare Collection Systems

Oversees, directs and exercises immediate supervision over the following functional areas: a) Administrative b) Finance c) Planning d) Automated Fare Collection System

Advises and assists the Administrator in the formulation and implementation of rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives and policies of the Authority concerning Administrative, Finance, Planning and Automated Fare Collection System; Develops, recommends and manages implementation of operating plans, policies, and strategies to ensure efficiency and effectiveness; Conducts/manages consultations and meetings with different Department Managers and Key Officials under his supervision; and Provides technical assistance to the Administrator and the LRTA Board as may be requested.

Finance Department

Supervises and recommends financial policies, short-term and long-term financial plans and programs and programs, systems and procedures and oversees the implementation upon approval by the Board. Administrative Department

Supervises and Monitors policy making and implementation with regard to human relations, development and management and procurement. Administers health services to the Authority and provides first-aid treatment to passengers in case of accidents.

Automated Fare Collection Systems (AFCS) Services Department

Supervises ticket sales and production, ticket sorting and encoding using Ticket Sorting and Issuing Equipment (TSIE) for Line 1 and Encoder Sorter for Line 2 (ES) machine. Office of the Deputy Administrator for Operations and Engineering

Oversees, directs and exercises immediate supervision over the following functional ares: a) Line 1 Operatios b) Line 2 Operations c) Lines 1 & 2 Engineering.

Advises and assists the Administrator in the formulation and implementation of rules and regulations necessary to carry out the objectives and policies of the Authority concerning operations and engineering; Develops, recommends and manages implementation of operating plans, policies, and strategies to ensure efficiency and effectiveness; Conducts/manages consultations and meetings with different Department Managers and Key Officials under his supervision; and Provides technical assistance to the Administrator and the LRTA Board, as may be requested.

Line 1 Operation Department

Oversees the safe and efficient train service in Line 1 System, proper implementation of the fare collection, including the refund procedure. Monitors, controls and/or coordinates train movements, rail vehicles and maintenance work on the line facilities. Line 2 Operation Department

Provides safe and efficient train service in Line 2 Systems. Implements the fare collection, including the refund procedure. Monitors, controls and/or coordinates train movements, rail vehicles and maintenance work on the line facilities. Lines 1 and 2 Engineering Department

Coordinates with the maintenance contractor regarding activities related thereto and oversees the proper implementation of policies on the rolling stock of Lines 1 and 2 and its electronic equipment. TRAIN NORMAL OPERATING SCHEDULES LRT Line 1 System Weekdays:

5:00AM 9:30PM

First train leaves the Baclaran Station bound for Roosevelt Station. Last northbound commercial train leaves Baclaran Station for Roosevelt

Station. Last southbound commercial train leaves Roosevelt Station for 10:00PM Baclaran Station. Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays First train leaves the Baclaran Station bound for Roosevelt 5:00AM Station. Last northbound commercial train leaves Baclaran Station for 9:00PM Roosevelt Station. Last southbound commercial train leaves Roosevelt Station for 9:30PM Baclaran Station. LRT Line 2 System Weekdays: 5:00AM 9:30PM 10:00PM Start of operation. Last commercial train leaves Santolan Station bound for Recto Station Last commercial train leaves Recto Station bound for Santolan Station

Saturdays,Sundays and Holidays: Start of operation. Last commercial train leaves Recto Station bound for Santolan 9:30PM Station Schedules that are special in nature are announced periodically. Announcements are made through advertisements or Special Operating Schedules through our Public Address (PA) System. Please visit this website for future announcements and service updates. In cases of emergencies or unexpected events, the following codes are During Emergencies announced to inform the passengers about the current status of train operations: There will be a slight delay in the arrival and departure of trains in the Code Yellow 1 stations. Code Yellow 2 Train operations will be temporarily suspended due to technical problems. 5:00AM

Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS)

An Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) using plastic magnetic tickets as fare medium is being utilized in both the LRT Line 1 and LRT Line 2 Systems . The AFCS replaced the old token fare collection system which had been in operation in Line 1 from December 1, 1984 to September 8, 2001 and which used the token as the fare medium.

Fare Structure

LRT Line 1

Starting March 22, 2010, passengers using Single Journey (SJ) tickets will be charged PhP12.00, Php15.00 or Php20.00 depending on the number of stations travelled or whether Balintawak or Roosevelt (opened October 22, 2010) station is part of their trip, while Stored Value(SV) ticket holders will be charged from Php12.00 to Php20.00 depending on their trip length or whether Balintawak or Roosevelt Station is part of their trip.

LRT LINE 1
Fares excluding those to and from Balintawak or Roosevelt Station Distance (no. of inter-stations) Single Journey Ticket Fare (PhP) Stored Value Ticket Fare (PhP) 1-4 12 12 5-8 15 13 9-12 15 14 13-17 15 15 Fares to and from Balintawak or Roosevelt Station 1-2 15 13 3-4 15 14 5-7 15 15 8-10 11-13 14-16 17-18 20 16 20 17 20 18 20 19 19 20 20

LRT Line 2

A distance related fare structure is currently being used for Line 2. Passengers will be charged Php12.00 for the first three (3) stations, Php 13.00 for four to six (4-6) stations, Php14.00 for seven to nine (7-9) stations and Php15.00 for ten (10) stations.

LRT LINE 2
Distance (no. of inter-stations) 1-3 4-6 7-9 10

Single Journey or Stored Value Ticket Fare (PhP)

12

13

14

15

LRT Line 1 Tickets

Single Journey 1 Ticket [Brown] Sold for Php20.00 each. Can only be used once. Valid only on the date of purchase

Single Journey 2 Ticket [Green] Sold for Php12.00 each. Can only be used once. Valid only on the date of purchase.

Single Journey 3 Ticket [Red] Sold for Php15.00 each. Accepted at all LRT Line 1 Stations. Can only be used once. Valid only on the date of purchase.

Stored Value 1 Ticket [Blue] Sold for Php100.00 each. Accepted at all LRT Line 1 Stations. Multiplerides. With LastRide Bonus (i.e. ticket is still valid for one more ride even if the remaining balance is less than the minimum fare and at least P0.50) Valid for six (6) months from date of first use.

Stored Value 3 Ticket [Orange] Sold for Php80.00 Accepted at all LRT Line 1 Stations. Available only to senior citizens or disabled passengers upon presentation of valid ID at the ticket booth. Multiple rides. With Last Ride Bonus (i.e. ticket is still valid for one more ride even if the remaining balance is less than the minimum fare and at least P0.50) Valid for six (6) months from date of first use.

LRT Line 2 Tickets

Single Journey Ticket [Violet] Sold for Php12.00, Php13.00, Php14.00, Php15.00 each. Accepted at all LRT Line 2 Stations. Can only be used once. Valid only on the date of purchase.

Stored Value 2 Ticket [Red]

Sold for Php100.00 each. Accepted at all LRT Line 2 Stations. Multiple rides. With Last Ride Bonus (i.e. ticket is still valid for one more ride even if the remaining balance is less than the minimum fare and at least P0.50) Valid for six months from date of first use.

Stored Value 4 Ticket [Pink/Orange] Sold for Php80.00 Accepted at all LRT Line 2 Stations. Available only to senior citizens or disabled passengers upon presentation of valid ID at the ticket booth. Multiple rides. With Last Ride Bonus (i.e. ticket is still valid for one more ride even if the remaining balance is less than the minimum fare and at least P0.50) Valid for six (6) months from date of first use.

Ticket Problems

Expired Tickets Tickets will expire if: Single Journey tickets which are valid only on the day of purchase is used after day of purchase. Stored Value tickets which are valid for six (6) months from the date of first use at the gate is used after the said six month period. If ticket is used to exit in the same station after sixty (60) minutes for Line 1 and thirty (30) minutes for Line 2, from entry. If ticket is used to exit the system after one hundred eighty (180) minutes for Line 1 and one hundred twenty (120) minutes for Line 2, from entry.

What to do: Passenger is required to buy another ticket.

Damaged Tickets
Ticket that are scratched, folded, written-on or exposed to magnet are considered damaged. What to do: For Single Journey tickets, passenger buys another ticket for Php 12.00 and pays penalty of Php 9.00 for damaged ticket. For a Stored Value ticket, passenger surrenders the damaged ticket to the station teller who shall fill up a Ticket Incident Report (TIR) so that the ticket could be analyzed for its remaining value. The passenger shall be given the blue copy of the TIR which will be used when claiming for the remaining value of the ticket five (5) days after filing of the TIR.

Manila Light Rail Transit System

J. Ruiz LRT Station

Overview

Type

Rapid transit

Status

Operational

Termini

Baclaran (Yellow Line), Santolan(Purple Line) Roosevelt (Yellow Line), Recto(Purple Line)

Stations

31

Services

Daily ridership

2.1 million (2012)

Operation

Opened

December 1, 1984

Owner

Light Rail Transit Authority

Operator(s)

Light Rail Transit Authority

Rolling stock

Yellow Line: ACEC Hyundai Precision/Adtranz Kinki Sharyo/Nippon Sharyo

Purple Line: Hyundai Rotem

Technical

Line length

Over 31 km (19 mi); 34.5 km (21.4 mi) upon completion of current extension

Track gauge

1,435 mm (4 ft 8 2 in)standard gauge

Electrification

Overhead line

Operating speed

40-80 km/h

System
Metro-Manila, the metropolitan area of the capital of the Philippines is home to some 10 million people. A light metro system (Mass Rail Transit - MRT), which runs mainly elevated, is being developed: LRT 1 is a fully elevated north-south route opened 1 Dec. 1984 (7 km) and June 1985 (8 km). It runs along Rizal and Taft Avenues (15 km, 18 stations). The capacity of the line was increased in 1998. The line runs on a precast concrete structure 7 m above the street, designed to withstand earthquakes. It has 1435 mm gauge and 750 V overhead power supply. Average station distance is 825 m, stations are only accessible via stairs, there are no elevators or escalators. Central, Monumento (northern terminal) and Baclaran (southern terminal) function as transfer station to buses and jeepneys. Trains operate in 2-4 car units (one unit 29.3 m long, 2.5 m wide), which have roof ventilation. MRT 3 (popularly called Metrostar) runs elevated along EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Ave.) ring road (except Buendia station which is underground). The central section opened on 16 Dec. 1999, the southern section, which connects to LRT 1 followed on 20 July 2000. The

total length is now 16.8 km, once the northern section is built the line will be 24 km. Metrostar trains are air-conditioned. LRT 2 (Megatren or Purple Line) runs from Manila in the west via Quezon City to Pasig in the east. The line is elevated except for Katipunan station, which is underground. Construction of this line started in 1998 and it runs along Recto Ave, Magsaysay Blvd and Aurora Blvd. The full length from Santolan to Recto Ave. is 13.8 km with 11 stations. Although called LRT, this line uses heavy rail metro vehicles. A footbridge linking the Purple Line to the Yellow Line eventually opened in March 2005.

History
01 Dec 1984 - LRT 1 - Baclaran - Central Station xx June 1985 - LRT 1 - Central Station - Monumento 22 Mar 2010 - LRT1 Monumento - Balintawak 22 Oct 2010 - LRT1 Balintawak - Roosevelt 16 Dec 1999 - MRT 3 - North - Buendia 20 July 2000 - MRT 3 - Buendia - Taft 05 April 2003 - LRT 2 - Santolan - Cubao (4.3km) 05 April 2004 - LRT 2 - Cubao - Legarda (4.2km) 29 Oct 2004 - LRT 2 - Legarda - Recto

Projects
LRT 2 is being extended east (4 km) to Masinag Junction in Antipolo, Rizal (2011). A western 1-station extension to the Divisoria market area is being examined. LRT 1 extension south (also LRT 6, 12 km) had been planned for a long time, but postponed time and again. The first phase stations are named (from Baclaran) Redemptorist, Manila International Airport (or MIA), Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Manuyo Uno, Las Pias, Zapote, Talaba, and Niyog. Further phases will take Line 1 southwards to Imus (11km) and later to Dasmarias (11km). Although initially planned as an MRT 3 extension, the gap between the two lines (Monumento - North) is now being built as a 5.7 km LRT 1 extension, with intermediate stations at Roosevelt and Balintawak. MRT 7 is under construction and will run northeast from North Station on MRT 3 along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City up to Tala in Caloocan City, and the adjoining municipality of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan (23 km, 14 stations; see details here)

- MRT 4 had been planned to become a 22.6 km (20 stations) mostly elevated line running northeast from Doroteo Jos/Recto in Manila to Quirino Highway in Novaliches (Quezon City) connecting with North Ave. Stn. on line 3 and passing through Espaa, Quezon, Commonwealth and Regalado Avenues. The project was divided into two phases:

Phase 1: the section Old Bilibid - Batasan (15.1km) passing through Espaa St., Quezon Blvd. and Commonwealth Ave. 14 stations: Old Bilibid, UST, Mendoza, Antipolo, Welcome Rotonda, Araneta, Roosevelt, Timog, Edsa, Quezon City Hall, Philcoa, Tandang Sora, Don Antonio and Batasan -> now being built as MRT 7. Phase 2: Batasan - Quirino Highway in Lagro (7.5km). 36 light rail vehicles are proposed to operate, providing a capacity of 550,000 passengers per day. Instead of the phase 2 section, the mostly elevated MRT 9 has been proposed instead: It would begin at the North-EDSA in Quezon City intersection and would be linked with the other MRT 3, MRT 7 and Light Rail Transit (LRT) North Extension. The line will traverse West Avenue and Quezon Avenue in Quezon City and would end in Manila via Espaa. The MRT 9 will then be interconnected to LRT 2 in Recto and LRT 1 Central Terminal in Manila via the Quezon Boulevard route. This line will be extended to Intramuros Rizal Park up to Port Area. The MRT 9 stations include Baler, Timog, Roosevelt, Araneta, Welcome Rotonda Central Terminal, Antipolo (Espaa), A.H. Lacson (Espaa), Morayta, Quezon Boulevard (Quiapo), Taft Avenue (City Hall) and Rizal Park (Manila Hotel). - MRT 8, or East Line, will traverse 48 km with several tunnel sections (7.8 km) from Pililla to Santa Cruz, Laguna. Phase 1 will run for 16.8 km on elevated double-track guideways from Santa Mesa, Manila, to Taytay, Rizal; then from Taytay to Angono, Rizal, serving to decongest Manila, Mandaluyong and Pasig, and the towns of Cainta, Taytay and Angono. It will follow the general alignment of Shaw Boulevard and Ortigas Avenue and entail construction of 14 stations. The Philippine National Railway has begun work on converting track running through the city for use as an light rail transit corridor. The line will be electrified and would service the main train station Tutuban, connecting with LRT 1 at Blumentritt, the future MRT 4, LRT 2 (the alignment puts the station between Pureza and V. Mapa), and MRT 3 (between Boni and Guadalupe, though it is closer to Boni) and eventually to the Airport.

LRT LATEST ACCIDENT

P-Noy suicide over LRT-1 failure?

DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco (The Philippine Star) | Updated April 17, 2013 - 12:00am
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At pag hindi ho nangyari ito, nandyan ho si Secretary Abaya na nangangasiwa ng proyektong ito, dalawa na kaming magpapasagasa siguro sa tren, P-Noy told a large group of Cavitenos during a recent campaign sortie. Promises promises Of course we should never believe promises made by men in the throes of passion or by politicians trying to win votes. And we have to realize P-Noy said that in jest without realizing that this very important infrastructure project has itself become a big joke. But the people of Cavite must be confused by now. The lead sentence in a story of the Philippine Information Agency declared that Caviteos applauded President Benigno S. Aquino III when he said that the much

awaited operation of LRT line 1 in Cavite is expected to start by 2015. So the Cavitenos are taking the presidential promise seriously. PIA further quoted the President saying: At siyempre, nananabik na po tayo sa taong 2015, hindi ho dahil isang taon na lang ako manunungkulan, kung hindi mapapabilis na ang biyahe mula Baclaran hanggang Bacoor, at madadagdagan din ng 250,000 pasahero ang maisasakay kada araw dahil sa LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension. I was confused enough to ask DOTC Sec. Joseph Emilio Aquinaldo Abaya, a native Caviteno, what is the real score. But he didnt reply to my text message like he normally does. Maybe he is confused too. And he should be. When I last talked to him not too long ago before the P-Noy hara kiri threat, he said the LRT 1 extension project would likely be completed by June 2016 or just as P-Noy is bowing out of office. That was subsequently corrected in a public statement of his USec Gonzales who said 4Q 2016 is the completion date.

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Pero sa totoo lang even that 4Q 2016 date is up in the air. The public bidding had been postponed a number of times. Interested parties raised a lot of questions on details of the technical specifications released by DOTC, possible proof the DOTC lawyers drafting those bid documents do not understand the technicals. How can P-Noy go out on a limb and declare a project completion by 4Q 2015? Thats a political promise that P-Noy cannot keep and as such, puts his sincerity and his honesty under a cloud of doubt. Or worse, makes him look gullible and easily fooled by his staff. If he thought that promise would win votes for his ticket next month, the price for that gambit is loss of presidential credibility for the rest of his term. A friend of mine from the old days in UP, who is a transportation expert recognized in the Asean region except in his home country, reassured me there is no danger to P-Noys life and limb with that promise. He is sure there will be no train that could run P-Noy over in that track by end 2015. Obviously, he is being taken for a ride by his men at DOTC, none of whom have ever managed or implemented an infrastructure project, much less a more complex LRT! It may be possible to build a few kilometers of track by 2016, but no new train in operation, my friend predicted. I was actually hoping that because P-Noy was so explicit in promising the delivery date of LRT 1 extension, they will move heaven and earth to get that done. Otherwise, I was worried P-Noy will be the first president to commit suicide in the line of duty. That would give Jojo Binay a headstart for the 2016 election. It shouldnt be surprising that P-Noy is as ordinarily traditional as traditional politicians can get. I was hoping he is of a different sort and that even in the heat of a political campaign, he doesnt say things he doesnt mean or knows he cannot deliver. But, dear readers, even a cynical old journalist who has seen it all should be forgiven for indulging in some wishful thinking. It is an important survival coping mechanism in these tough times. We are used to being disappointed, anyway. DOTC

Still on DOTC, I got this e-mail from retired Col. Armando V. Gatmaitan. I know youre from UP Prep. Im UPHS 49. I have kept track of your column particularly re DOTC and the Light Rail System. Those six lawyers that Mar Roxas brought to DOTC have done nothing. I have written them letters re-particularly MRT 3 only to receive from them nonsensical thoughts. Im aware of legal problems besetting MRT 3. But I still believe that if there is a will theres a way. Using all the resources of government, just like they did with former CJ Corona, MRT 3s problems can be overcome. Ive long asked: There is so much publicity about LRT 1 extension, which is to solve a future problem, yet the long-standing over crowding at MRT 3 (a present problem) seems neglected. If only those six lawyers did their job, by now the problems of MRT 3 would be easing up. With warmest regards MRT 3 Alas, MRT 3 will remain a big problem for this year, and the next, and the next until and beyond the term of PNoy. The easiest way out for government is to work out a deal with Metro Pacific, but for some reason P-Noys boys want to de-privatize MRT 3 instead. A recent interview by ANCs Coco Alcuaz of a Metro Pacific official gave me the impression that government has not made a move to talk to them yet even if that is a necessary first step. Government needs the consent of the owner of the assetswhich are the rails and the existing networkbefore any new car can be placed on service. If the government wants to put trains in, fine. MetroPac has given them a proposal. They can either accept that proposal or reject it completely. In which case, MetroPac through the owners on record will require some compensation if DOTC wants to take total control. The lack of action on MRT 3 is actually dangerous for commuters. Thats because needed repairs and rehabilitation of the system are being put aside. Every now and then the system breaks down and that is happening with worrisome regularity of late. In one recent instance, the system was down for over two hours initially blamed on Meralco. I found out that it was not a problem that could be attributed to Meralco but one that is traceable to the MRT system itself a surge arrestor malfunction. There is usually an inspection of surge arrestors twice a year (December and July), my sources told me. The last inspection was December, so it was odd that it conked out as early as March. The incident involved the tripping of a 750-volt high speed breaker at both Magallanes and Taft traction power substation at 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. It was an abnormal tripping experience that created a loud bang. Several trains in service stopped in between Magallanes and Taft Station.

Inspection of the mainline revealed that the problem was a broken surge arrestor located between Magallanes and Taft Station. Surge arrestor is that spine ball like material on top of the overhead catenary wire post. Its main purpose is to divert over voltage/current like lightning and voltage surge to the ground. After the surge arrestor ceased to function, the breaker tripped (first reaction of system). Normally before you reset you must inspect line first para makita kung may dumikit or nag ground but they didnt inspect line first so nag trip ulit. This contributed to two hour delay. My source related that they temporarily removed the surge arrestor to enable resumption of service with a plan to replace it after revenue service. But Operator (DOTC) also risked damaging entire train system by exposing the entire system to an irregular voltage situation like a lightning strike or over voltage. My source continues: Worst is that reaction time or intervention was very slow. In the past, matagal na ang 30 minutes. The two hours and 28 minutes interruption of service and at peak hour was not normal. Too many passengers were stranded and they had to walk on the track which is very dangerous. My nagging fear is simply, how long will DOTC people procrastinate before something really terrible happens in that MRT 3?

Rolling stock

Firstgenerati on

First-generation (Refurbished)

Second-generation

Third-generation

First Images generatio n train (1984)

Year

1984

refurbished in 2004

1999

2007

Car Numberi ng 1000's 1000's 1100's 1200's

8-axle (4 Car type bogie) rigid body 8-axle (4 bogie) rigid body 6-axle (3 bogie) rigid body 6-axle (3 bogie) rigid body

2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) Car size wide; 29.28 m (96.1 ft) long 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) wide; 29.28 m (96.1 ft) long 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in) wide; 26 26.5 m (8587 ft) long 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in) wide; 26 26.5 m (8587 ft) long

59.59 m Train length or 195.5 ft (2-car) 89.37 m or 293.2 ft (3-car) 105.7 m or 347 ft (4-car) 105.7 m or 347 ft (4-car)

Articulati on

Double

Double

Single

Single

748 Capacity passenge rs 1,122 passengers 1,350 passengers 1,350 passengers

PlugDoors type; 5doors/sid e Plug-type; 5-doors/side Interior sliding type; 4doors/side Interior sliding type; 4doors/side

DC Traction system induction monomotor DC induction mono-motor AC induction mono-motor AC induction mono-motor

750 V DC OCS; Traction power pantogra ph power connectio n 750 V DC OCS; pantograph power connection 750 V DC OCS; pantograph power connection 750 V DC OCS; pantograph power connection

Carbody shell

BI sheet

BI sheet

Stainless steel

Stainless steel

Ventilatio n

Forced ventilatio

Air-conditioned; roof-mounted Air-conditioned; roof-mounted Air-conditioned; roof-mounted duct type; 5 units/car duct type; 2 units/car duct type; 2 units/car

n; 12 units/car

Status

Refurbish ed

In Service

In Service

In Service

Purple Line [edit]

The train of the LRTA Purple Line.

The Purple Line fleet runs eighteen heavy rail four-car trains with lightweight stainless car bodies and 1,500 volt electric motors. They have a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) and usually take [31] around thirty minutes to journey from one end of the line to the other. Each train measures 3.2 meters (10 ft 6 in) wide and 92.6 meters (303 ft 10 in) long allowing a capacity of 1,628 passengers: 232 seated [5] and 1,396 standing. Twenty sliding doors per side facilitate quick entry and exit. The line's trains also feature air conditioning, driverless automatic train operation from the Operations Control Center (OCC) in Santolan, low-noise control, enabled electric and regenerative braking, and closed-circuit television inside [32][33] the trains. Special open spaces and seats are designated for wheelchair users and elderly passengers, and automatic next station announcements are made for the convenience of passengers, [5][19] especially for the blind.