Riding the LRT? Don’t bother wrapping gifts

Train commuters should expect all their belongings to be inspected, inlcuding wrapped gifts, as the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced yesterday it would maintain tight security at all stations of Lines 1 and 2.

In a press conference in Pasig City, LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles advised commuters not to bring sealed packages or Christmas gifts that cannot be opened to avoid hassle and delays.

"The security arrangement has not been changed. Even Christmas gifts have to be opened," Robles said.

He said passengers can still bring wrapped Christmas gifts, but they should have openings so the security guards can inspect them.

Robles said security is stringent and adequate.

Among the measures implemented is the deployment of more blue guards and policemen manning the gates of all stations of LRT’s Lines 1 and 2.

The LRTA also ordered deployment of bomb-sniffing dogs.

Robles said that apart from criminal elements, they are also on the lookout for persons who might attempt suicide by jumping into the tracks.

He said that historically, December is the month that has the most number of suicide attempts recorded.

Robles said the Vito Cruz station recorded the most number of incidents at three.

Meanwhile, the LRTA chief reminded commuters that From Dec. 16 to 23, they will be extending night operation hours by 30 minutes. The last trip is at 9:30 p.m. for Monumento-bound trains and 10 p.m. for Baclaran-bound trains.

"This is to serve our commuters who are out shopping, especially in the Baclaran and Divisoria areas," he said.

On Dec. 24 and 31, operating hours would be reduced by one and a half hours since fewer passengers take the trains, he said.

The last trip is 7:30 p.m. for Monumento-bound trains and 8 p.m. for Bacalaran-bound trains.

Robles said that there is normally an increase of about nine percent in ridership in the trains during December. They also post a 30 percent increase in revenues, or about P300,000 a day.

This year, LRT Lines 1 and 2 posted a daily ridership of about 580,000 this month — 410,000 for Line 1 and  170,000 for Line 2.

LRT Line 1 runs from Monumento in Caloocan City to Baclaran in Parañaque City while Line 2 runs from Recto Avenue in Manila  to Santolan in Pasig City.