LRMC starts random antigen testing for LRT-1 riders
The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), private operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), has started rolling out its free random antigen testing among volunteering passengers of the rail line.
This was in line with the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) directive to the railway sector as part of efforts to provide a safe transportation system amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the country.
According to the LRMC, the voluntary swab testing will be done on Jan. 15 and Jan. 17 at LRT-1 stations with high volume of passengers such as EDSA, Baclaran, Monumento, and Carriedo from 7 a.m.to 5 p.m.
LRMC is targeting to have at least a total of 40 passengers to undergo the voluntary swab test which will be administered by medical professionals from State Lab Clinics and Diagnostic Center.
Volunteers will be given consent forms and mandatory contact tracing requirements prior to the procedure which is expected to take 15 to 30 minutes per passenger.
Those who will test positive will not be allowed to ride the train and will be assisted in coordinating with their respective local government unit.
Meanwhile, a free beep™ card with minimum load will be given as an incentive to those who will test negative in line with the company’s push for contactless payments as a safer way to travel.
"At LRT-1, we don’t allow the virus for a free ride. We remain committed to keeping LRT-1 safe for our passengers and our employees," LRMC Head of Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Department Dr. Duday de Sales said.
"So, we remain adaptive to the evolving situation, and continuously upgrade existing protocols. LRMC works hand-in-hand with the government in managing the impact of COVID-19, while making sure that essential services are supported," de Sales added.
Aside from passengers, the LRMC will also conduct mandatory antigen swab testing among its personnel. All employees were also required to undergo daily monitoring of health conditions, which has been effective for the company in preventing workplace transmission.
To date, LRMC has achieved a 99.7 percent vaccination rate and 20 percent for booster shots among LRT-1 employees.
The company was recently awarded the Safety Seal by the Pasay City local government for the rail line's compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
The LRMC has also vowed to enforce the DOTr's "No vaccination, no ride" policy starting Monday, Jan. 17, and will require passengers to present their vaccination cards before riding the train.
The LRMC added that other health and safety protocols are still being implemented in the railway to strengthen public confidence in public transport such as regular disinfection, “No face mask, no entry” policy; and “No talking and no answering phone calls” policy inside trains. Train marshals and security officers were also deployed to strictly enforce protocols.
It has also pioneered the use of digital and mobile technology via its "ikotMNL" mobile app for information dissemination and convenient trip planning. LRT-1 operates daily following this train service schedule: Northbound train (4:30AM to 9:15PM), Southbound train (4:30AM to 9:30PM).