No starting date yet set for LRT 1 extension construction

The actual construction of the 11.7-kilometer extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 to Bacoor in Cavite has no definite starting date yet.

Despite assuming the operation and maintenance of the State-owned elevated mass transit system over the weekend, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) is yet to announce when it can commence the civil works component of the 64.9-billion LRT 1 Cavite Extension Project.

According to LRMC chief executive officer Jesus Francisco, they can start actual construction works "as soon as the Grantors have completed the essential portions of the Rights of Way."

Sought for comment, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Honorito Chaneco claimed that 90 percent of the ROW requirement for the 11.7-kilometer extension has already been cleared.

For his part, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said actual construction works will start by second quarter of 2016.

"Construction will start by the second quarter of 2016, not upon assumption," Abaya clarified.

"The major concern for them (LRMC) is how to assume and take charge first because that is immediate, not the construction," he pointed out.

In the meantime, Francisco said LRMC will rehabilitate the tracks in order to speed up train movement to 40 kilometers per hour in order to reduce headway between trips and serve more passengers.

At its current state of being the oldest elevated rail line in the country, the 20.7-kilometer LRT 1 carries an average of 500,000 commuters between Muñoz in Quezon City to Baclaran in Pasay City daily. Francisco also said they will also improve ventilation and lighting at all LRT 1 stations by installing platform ceilings as well as 32 elevators and escalators to improve passenger movement.

LRMC will also clear up entrance and exit areas from illegal vendors, parked vehicles and other obstructions to faster passenger movement at LRT 1 stations.

In terms of passenger security, Francisco said LRMC has already installed fire safety equipment, fixed electrical connections and cleared fire exits at the LRT stations.

To recall, the LRMC secured the right to operate, maintain and expand the LRT 1 for 32 years after offering the highest premium bid of 9.35 billion.

MPIC, through Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., owns 55 percent of the LRMC, while Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. owns 35 percent. Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Philippines PTE Ltd., owns the remaining 10 percent.

For its part, the government will procure 120 brand new light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the LRT 1. Once all 120 new LRVs are delivered and the LRT 1 operates from Quezon City to Bacoor in Cavite, the privately run LRT 1 will accommodate additional 250,000 passengers daily.