LRT, MRT brace for 1 M passengers

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Metro Rail Transit Authority (MRTA) are finalizing preparations for the start of the new school year as they expect to accommodate almost a million passengers for the opening of classes tomorrow.

Both heads of the two rail systems said they have been preparing security and safety precautions as well as making plans to address expected and unexpected problems that may take place during the opening of classes and the days to follow.

In a phone interview yesterday, LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles said they expects 500,000 passengers to take both Lines 1 and 2 of LRT when schools start tomorrow.

Robles said that while there would be no extension in the schedule of operations of the LRT trains (5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.), the LRTA would maximize the use of the trains.

The LRTA chief will be making rounds of the stations starting at 5 a.m. tomorrow inspecting Line 1 and Line 2 of the LRT to make sure the coaches are safe, secure and problem-free.

He earlier instructed LRTA civil security officer, retired Navy commander Ernesto Garzon, to come up with an action plan for the train operations.

Robles said more passengers would mean more potential incidents of theft, accidents, and chaos.

"This is why, as an agency that deals directly with providing a vital service to our people, the LRTA has to be prepared for any eventuality. The action plan has been disseminated to all our drivers, security guards, ticket tellers and even janitors. Relevant parts of the action plan are released to the public because we also want the general riding public to do their share in making their ride safe and secure," he said.

Robles has ordered security personnel to be more vigilant and alert at the busy stations of EDSA, Gil Puyat, Monumento, Carriedo, Blumentritt, 5th Avenue, and D. Jose on Line 1; and Recto, Legarda, V. Mapa, Cubao, Katipunan, and Santolan on Line 2.

He directed that more "skip trains," which would bypass terminals, be prepared for deployment to busy stations during the rush hour and emergency situations.

Robles said the cleaning crew has been told not only to keep their assigned work areas clean, but also to report any untoward incident and unusual behavior of certain persons to security personnel.

He said LRTA’s security personnel and guards have been trained in crowd control during loading and unloading as well as guiding passengers in case of breakdowns and delays.

Robles said increased visibility from the rail police as provided by PNP-Regional Action Unit would be a deterrent against criminals. They would also be available to assist passengers should the need arise, he said.

Robles said an significant increase in train passengers should be expected, especially when the fare increase for passenger jeepneys and buses are implemented.

For his part, MRTA administrator Assistant Secretary Roberto Lastimoso said they are expecting an estimated 420,000 persons riding the MRT trains from morning till evening.

Among the preparations made this year was putting up a special lane for the disabled, pregnant women and senior citizens at the North Avenue teminal.

Lastimoso also said that by the first week of June, more ticket issuing machines would be installed at busy MRT stations, including North Avenue, Cubao, Shaw Boulevard, Ayala and Pasay, so commuters can enter the stations faster.

This is also the reason why rates have been adjusted, doing away with the 50 centavos from the old fares.

Lastimoso explained that the machines had been calibrated to take in only one peso, five peso and 10 peso coins as well as paper bills, and not 25 centavo coins.

He said during peak season, the MRTA runs 21 "three-car trains," or a total of 63 cars for the entire day.

There is an interval of three minutes per train that arrives at each station.

During the off-peak season, the MRTA only uses 18 three-car trains, or 54 cars per day.

Lastimoso said MRTA engineers are constantly monitoring trains and doing maintenance work on the trains and tracks.

Lastimoso said the MRTA also added security for this year’s school opening.

He said they will be deploying at each MRT stations two security guards from private agencies, three K-9 units and one policeman at the inspection booth.