The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), has commenced the rollout of modern train sets for the rail system.
These new train sets are an addition to the existing three generations of train sets currently operating along the main line of LRT-1.
Each 4th Generation train set boasts a total capacity of 1,388 passengers per trip, with four light rail vehicles (LRVs) or coaches per set.
The trains are 106 meters long and 2.59 meters wide, with maximum design speeds of up to 70 kph. Clear destination signs have been installed to inform passengers of the trains' direction, whether heading north or south.
The driver station inside the train features a modern design, complete with a monitor displaying the temperature.
Furthermore, the new train sets are designed to be friendly to persons with disabilities (PWDs), with designated areas for wheelchairs.
LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso expressed the company's unwavering commitment to upgrading the commuter experience and delivering safe and efficient transportation since assuming operations in 2015.
"Today marks another significant milestone in modernizing our train infrastructure with the inauguration of our first new Generation-4 train. This is a testament to private-public partnership (PPP) successfully working for the Filipino people," said the official.
"Our brand-new trains signal hope and give our Filipino commuters something positive to look forward to in their next LRT-1 commute,” Alfonso added.
LRMC plans to deploy one (1) Gen-4 train set initially to serve daily commuters on the main line. Subsequently, one new Gen-4 train set will be added to the main line every week until December 2023.
Of the 30 total train sets, 20 4th Generation train sets have already arrived in the Philippines, with the remaining 10 train sets scheduled to be delivered from Mexico between November 2023 and February 2024.
The full deployment of the 30 train sets on the main line is expected by the fourth quarter of 2024, coinciding with the opening of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project.
