The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has completed the Baclaran Depot of the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1, which authorities said, serves as manifestation of the improvement in the government's mass transport system from Metro Manila to the province of Cavite.
The completion expanded the LRT-1 Baclaran Depot to additional 4.2 hectares for the setting up of rail tracks and to accommodate more trains.
"With the expansion, 21 stabling and maintenance tracks would be added to the existing 45 to increase the depot's stabling capacity from 130 to 182 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) and increase its heavy and light maintenance capacity from 30 to 48 LRVs. The depot is expected to be delivered by August," said DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade.
Tugade led the inauguration of the project on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
It is funded through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Once completed, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension will increase the rail line's capacity from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers daily and reduce the travel time between Baclaran, Parañaque to Bacoor, Cavite to 25 minutes.
On Aug. 25, 2000, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) approved the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project.
The Congress first funded the right of way acquisition in 2007. The actual construction started in September 2019.