Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) unveiled the LRT-1 love train with designs taken from nature for the celebration of love month. For its second-year run, the love train took a page from nature’s spectacle by showcasing its different faces with a theme #LRT1Love, Love for All.
The special train was designed according to different nature scenes such as air, forest, ocean, and watershed. Through this effort, LRMC would like to remind people that love is not limited to loved ones or significant others but can be in the form of love for nature.
Ms. Rochelle Gamboa who conceptualized this year’s them realized the significance of this idea because “dito sa Metro Manila, ang mga parks natin nawawawala na, ‘yung mga pasyalan kumokonti na lang. Dumadami ‘yung mga malls at nakakaligtaan na ‘yung pag-preserve sa nature. Na actually mas ma-e-enjoy natin with our loved ones.”
They also hope that this Love Train would refresh the commuters mind even for a little while from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city. To give them a quick change of scenery.
This is a part of LRMC’s effort in promoting a “feel good” experience for its passengers through themed trains during Valentines, Christmas, and other holidays.
As an added treat, LRMC invites passengers to share their special Valentines’ greetings on LRMC’s social media accounts using the hashtag #LRT1Love and by tagging @officialLRT1 on Twitter and Instagram and Light Rail Manila Corporation page on Facebook.
Passengers and their loved ones will get to watch the greetings as they will be flashed on LRT-1 station screens on the weekends of February from 8 AM to 3 PM.
Love Train would serve the commuters until February 28.
LRT1 SYSTEM RELIABILITY
LRT1 has been operating since 1984 with oldest and newest trains in operation with 109 trains transporting the commuters every day. That is why train delays and congested commuters is not a usual sight.
In addition to that, system shutdown or train problems is seldom an occurrence in LRT1. As train technicians and railway engineers are fully trained and knowledgeable when it comes to troubleshooting and maintenance.
As boasted by Mr. Rodolfo Chansuyco, Engineering Director of LRT1 “tini-train namin sila [technician/engineers] sa tamang paggawa, para iisa lang ang kanilang proseso o procedure. Para ma-assure natin ang quality ng troubleshoot. Kapag maganda ito, ibig sabihin reliable.”
He also added that their engineers and technicians are all well-equipped about old and new technology to quickly adapt to changing innovations in the railway industry.
He also stressed the complexity of railway management, “maraming discipline na hindi basta-basta. Iba’t-ibang skill set ang kinakailangan mo dito.”
Meanwhile, the concessionaire signed between Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings (AC Infra), and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd (MIHPL), prompted the cooperation with French railway experts to oversee and serve as expert consultants in improving the LRT1.
Mr. Patrick Goirand of RATPDEV, Track & Civil Work Advisor for LRT1, said that a lot has been improved in Line1 since their collaboration, “a lot has been done since the past two years to improve the condition of the system. Starting with the tracks, starting with the trains, the system is much more reliable. I guess that people are very happy on the new condition in which they are transported and wider shift has increased significantly.”
Goirand also added the possibility of being the next maintenance and operator for the MRT Line3 as a proposal is under process.
Furthermore, Goirand also love working with Filipino railway engineers, “they are very supportive, and enthusiastic, and always pleasant.”
LRT1 may be the oldest light rail system in the Philippines but it surely can serve better experience to the commuting public as they keep on upgrading and improving their system. (Ehlorra Mangahas)
