LRT-1 speed increased to 60 kph

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is today (April 5) increasing the speed of Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 to a maximum of 60 kilometers per hour.

The operator has secured a safety certification from an international testing facility to lift the LRT-1 speed restriction of 40 kilometers per hour (kph).

This was after LRMC completed all improvement activities needed for the 36-year-old railway system.

Lifting the speed restriction shortens travel time from Baclaran to Balintawak and vice-versa, increasing the number of LRT-1's daily trips.

The LRT-1 system is designed for a maximum service speed of 60 kph, but the speed was reduced to 40 kph in 2011 due to the deteriorating condition of its tracks and uncertainties in the railway subsystems such as rolling stock (railway vehicles), power distribution, and signalling system.

When LRMC took over the operations and management in 2015, the operator invested ₱11.6 billion for the rehabilitation, restoration, and upgrade of the existing system.

Recognizing the importance of maximizing LRT-1’s operational capacity, LRMC embarked on a project to increase the service speed, contracting an international partner to assess and identify the corrections needed to comply with European standards.

“Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, we continue to improve the LRT-1 in order to provide our passengers a safer, more reliable commute in this new normal," remarked Enrico R. Benipayo, LRMC Chief Operating Officer.

"All these upgrading works also complement our preparations for the commercial service of our new Gen-4 trains in the latter part of the year," he announced.

LRT-1 today resumed its operations after the Holy Week shutdown from March 31 to April 4, 2021 for the line’s annual preventive and maintenance works.

LRT-1 will follow a new service schedule starting April 5: Northbound train (4:30AM to 9:15PM), Southbound train (4:30AM to 9:30PM).

The shortened operating hours will allow LRMC to perform further safety and integration tests for the new Generation-4 train sets.