The first set of the Japan-financed 4th generation light rail vehicles (LRVs) manufactured in Spain which will be used for the operations of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) and its extension line LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project was unveiled on Tuesday.
The acquisition of new trains for the LRT-1 line is part of the massive expansion now being undertaken by the country's rail sector to the train fleet from a total of 224 train cars in 2016 to 1,381 ordered, under production, delivered, and operational train cars by 2022.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the new 4th generation LRV train sets consume less energy and are equipped with new operational features, improved cooling system, and are more PWD-friendly compared to previous LRV generations.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who led the unveiling ceremony, said the arrival of the first set of the 4th generation LRVs in the country will be a big boost to the realization of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, which has been delayed for almost two decades.
He also reiterated the need to hasten the project's completion for partial operability before the year ends.
"Today, we see the steps of the whole realization of this project -- partial operability within this year, by accepting the trains and the cars," Tugade said.
Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa and JICA Senior Representative Kiyo Kawabuchi also expressed their full support for the projects and programs of the government, especially in providing Filipinos with an efficient transportation system.
“I served JICA as an Executive Senior Vice President for four years, so I share this same ardent passion with the DOTr leadership. Now, I am here in this country, I am completely committed to work closely with our friends from the Philippine government to achieve these infrastructure goals, together with JICA,” Koshikawa said.
"We are confident that this new addition to the existing fleet of coaches shall further improve the service of LRT line 1 with the involvement of private sector, LRMC, for the operations and maintenance,” Kawabuchi added.
Officials of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), and members of the diplomatic corps attended the unveiling of the LRVs.