Strong Republic Transit System to be launched today

President Arroyo will lead the launching today of the Strong Republic Transit System (SRTS) at the EDSA MRT station near Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

The President, together with Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Secretary for Priority Programs and ODA Projects Marta Jimenez, will inspect the availability of the first link or railway interconnection facility between LRT 3 (MRT) and LRT 1 as well as the airconditioned coaches of LRT 1.

Jimenez said that the SRTS will usher in a reliable, integrated mass transit system that will approximate other international rail systems.

The SRTS project, she said, includes the rehabilitation of the old lines like LRT 1 and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), the completion of LRT 3 and the physical integration of the different railway lines through the construction of seven links or interconnection facilities like covered walkways with escalators and elevators.

Mendoza said the seven links include: the Pasay link or the EDSA MRT linked to LRT 1, the Cubao link or the Mega Tren (LRT 2) linked to MRT, the Recto Link or the Mega Tren linked to LRT 1, the Caloocan link or the LRT 1 linked to MRT, the Blumentritt link or the LRT 1 linked to the PNR, the Sta. Mesa link or the Mega Tren linked to PNR, and the Magallanes Link or the MRT linked to PNR.

Mendoza stressed that the SRTS aims to decongest traffic within Metro Manila and at the same time provide an efficient and comfortable mass transit system.

"SRTS also encourages people to live in the suburbs or in the surrounding provinces of Metro Manila when they are presented with an efficient transport system," he said.