The LRT-1 4th generation train set was inaugurated last July 19 at the LRT-1 Depot in Baclaran, Pasay City. The inauguration officially signals the readiness of LRT-1 in putting the brand-new trains into commercial operations after the successful series of safety checks, inspections, trial runs with minimum kilometers, and acceptance tests were conducted since its arrival in the Philippines last January 2021 from Spain and Mexico.
Adding to the existing three generations of train sets currently running along the main line of LRT-1, each state-of-the-art 4th generation train set has a total capacity of 1,338 passengers per trip and 4 light rail vehicles (LRVs) or coaches per train set. Measuring 106 meters in length and 2.59 meters in width, the train set has maximum design speed of up to 70 kph. It has destination signs to inform passengers if the trains are heading north or south. The driver station inside features a modern design, with a monitor that shows the temperature. The new train set are also PWD-friendly with special areas for wheelchairs. The new train sets were manufactured by Mitsubishi Corporation and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrorcarriles (CAF) of Spain.
LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Light Rail Transport Authority (LRTA) in bringing a modern, efficient, and world-class railway transport system as part of private-public partnership (PPP) agreement.
"LRMC has remained steadfast in upgrading the commuter experience and committed to our mission of delivering safe and efficient transport since we took over the operations in 2015. Today marks another significant milestone in modernizing our train infrastructure with the inauguration of our first new generation-4 train. This is a testament of private-public partnership (PPP) successfully working for the Filipino people. Our brand new trains signal hope and give our Filipino commuters something positive to look forward to in their next LRT-1 commute," LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso shared.
Starting July 20, 2023, LRT1-1 will deploy one (1) Gen-4 train set which will be used for the main line to serve commuters daily. The deployment will follow the progressive handover of DOTr and LRTA to LRMC and the capacity requirement of the system, with one new Gen-4 train set added to the main life every week until December 2023.
There are currently twenty (20) 4th Generation train sets already in the Philippines, and the remaining ten (10) train sets are still expected to arrive from Mexico between November 2023 and February 2024. Complete deployment of the 30 train sets on the main line is expected by the last quarter of 2024 when the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project opens.