Light Rail Manila Consortium, led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp. said Tuesday it has not made penalty claims on the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project as it is just set to take over the system on September 12.
“The concession agreement outlines the obligations of the grantors [government] and the concessionaire [LRMC]. If there is any shortfall, the extent and magnitude of such shortfalls will be determined after effective date,” LRMC said.
“We have not made any claims to the government at this time,” it added.
LRMC issued the statement after the Transportation Department requested to the Department of Budget and Management the release of P7.52 billion as penalty payments to LRMC.
LRMC said it was focused on taking over the existing system on September 12.
It added any funds from the government to LRMC would be used to improve the efficiency, safety and overall riding experience of the Filipino public.
“LRMC remains committed to expand the capacity of the trains to lessen waiting time. We will refurbish existing trains and purchase new ones for the comfort of the passengers,” the company said.
“To further improve the safety of the riding public, we will replace the entire track system,” it said.
LRMC will also rehabilitate all the stations to improve the overall ridership experience and extend the track by 11 kilometers from Baclaran to Niyog, Cavite to increase the reach of the transportation mode to a larger population.
“LRMC is taking over a 30-year old train system. Improvements will not happen overnight but we and our 1,400-strong team of Filipino engineers, train drivers and tellers will work rigorously to alleviate the pain points of the riding public,” the company said.
Under the concession, LRMC will assume the operation and management of the existing 20-kilometer LRT 1, and build the 11.7-kilometer extension of the rail line southward from the Baclaran station to Bacoor, Cavite.
The extension entails the construction of eight new stations, including three with intermodal facilities. The eight new stations after Baclaran include Aseana, MIA, Asia World city, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niyog. The intermodal facilities will be located at Dr. Santos, Zapote, and Niyog.
The project will increase the span of LRT1 from 20.7 kilometers to 32.4, and provide commuters from Cavite and other parts of Parañaque and Las Piñas access to central Manila.
The government will acquire the right-of-way for the project and the satellite depot and procure 120 light rail vehicles that will be financed through a grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.