Operations at the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) will be temporarily suspended on three Sundays this November and on January next year to complete the necessary works for the upgrade of its existing signaling system.
The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), private operator and maintenance provider of the LRT-1, said the temporary shutdown was set on Nov. 28, 2021, and on Jan. 23 and 30, 2022.
According to the LRMC, they will be performing a series of test runs and trial runs along the rail line on the scheduled dates to confirm the readiness of the new signaling system for LRT-1.
Railway signaling or the "traffic light system" for railway is used to direct railway traffic and keep trains clear of each other at all times, ensuring smooth and safe operations.
The upgrade to the new Alstom signaling system is needed to accommodate the commercial use of 4th Generation train sets on the existing system, which is targeted to begin in mid-2022, the LRMC explained.
Meanwhile, LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico R. Benipayo asked passengers for understanding the "temporary inconvenience," and assured them that "this will be beneficial in the long-run."
"We look forward to the many exciting developments lined up for LRT-1 in 2022. The migration to the new signaling system underscores LRMC’s commitment in modernizing the LRT-1 and delivering better service to our customers," Benipayo added.