LRT Line 1 has greatly improved in the past year. This is the observation of those who ride the 20.7- kilometer LRT Line 1, the first elevated commuter train which has 20 stations running through Munoz to Quezon City to Baclaran and has regular daily passengers reaching 500,000.
According to Jinkee Evangelista, a student of Dela Salle University on Taft Avenue, it is more manageable nowadays to ride the train than to drive, unlike before where she preferred to bring her car since it was nearly impossible to take the LRT.
“Iiwasan mo lang talaga ’yung peak hour kasi talagang ang daming pasahero, pero mas marami na ngayong skip train kaya higit na maginhawa na talaga kung mag-LRT,” said Evangelista.
Reynaldo Guevarra, who rides the LRT daily on his way to work on UN Avenue, also expressed his appreciation. He said that he used to come in late to the office since he had to let three to four passenger-filled trains pass before he could ride one. But that has changed and he is now able to ride the first train that passes by.
“Sa bilis at on time na pagdating ng mga tren ay hindi napupuno ng pasahero sa mga station platforms kaya nakakasakay agad,” he said.
Aling Remedios Vasquez noted that the security guards manning the stations allow senior citizens to ride the LRT in an orderly and hassle-free system unlike her experience in riding the MRT.
Christine Suarez, 24, a Pasay City employee, couldn’t help but compare her experiences when riding the LRT and MRT, saying she takes pity on herself whenever she rides the MRT.
“Awang-awa talaga ako sa aking sarili kapag sasakay na ako ng MRT, parang…ano ba ito, ang hopeless naman ng mga Filipino, parang lagi kang sasabak sa giyera, napakahaba ng pila, makikipagbalyahan ka makapasok lang ng tren, sa loob ay halos hindi ka na makagalaw, mababasa ka ng tumutulong aircon, malas mo pa 'pag naabutan ka ng sira ng tren dahil pabababain ka sa gitna ng tracks o maghihintay ka sa loob na sobrang init,” she revealed.
She said that although the MRT station is nearer her home on Quezon Avenue and it would be more convenient if she goes to Pasay City, she still prefers to take the LRT. She said that due to the inconveniences and hassles she encounters whenever she rides the MRT, she has opted to take an additional ride and pay more just to go go the LRT Roosevelt Station and take the LRT.
“Nagtataka ako kung bakit umayos na ang serbisyo sa LRT Line 1, saka ko nalaman sa mga katrabaho ko na privatized na pala ito, sana all,” she added.
It was in 2015 when the Light Rail Transit Authority and Department of Transportation turned over to the Light Rail Manila Corporation ), the venture company of Ayala Corp., Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings and Metro Pacific Investments Corp, the operation and maintenance of LRT Line 1 under ng Public-Private Partnership program of the Aquino Administration.
Ever since the LRMC took over the LRT Line 1, it has implemented measures which improved the train’s services. The number of trains has increased from 77 to 112, daily trips rose from 478 to 554, headway waiting time decreased to 3.5 minutes from the usual six to 8 minutes and operating hours are longer
LRMC President Juan Alfonso bared that since 2015, the company has allotted P8.7B for the rehabilitation and improved services of LRT Line 1 which includes well-maintained trains, enhancement of the stations and repair of damaged rail tracks. These measures have ensured that the trains are safe and are running in perfect condition.
LRMC targets to complete its new signaling system in November 2020 wherein passengers will be assured of the arrival of trains on schedule and that waiting time will only be 2.5 minutes.
In 2021, some 700,000 to 800,000 passengers are expected to be serviced by LRT Line 1 once the LMRC completes the LRT 1 Extension going to Cavite which will have 8 additional stations. These include the Redemptorist, NAIA Avenue, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog in Cavite.
From the usual one and a half hours, travel time to Cavite will be reduced to 30 minutes.