DOTr taps another Japanese firm for LRT-1 maintenance amid planned Cavite extension opening
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has added another layer of operations and maintenance reliability for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) in anticipation with the start of the partial operations of its Cavite Extension.
DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the assurance of good maintenance capability was formalized with the signing of an agreement by the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the Sumitomo Corporation, and the Hankyu Corporation that covers technical assistance for the LRT-1 system's operations and maintenance.
Under the agreement, Hankyu Corp. will provide technical assistance to LRMC to help evaluate LRT-1’s operations and improve its processes and personnel training.
“The agreement as timely as partial operations for the LRT-1 Cavite extension is set in the latter part of 2024. This added layer of assistance will be most helpful especially at this time when the Cavite Extension is about to start partial operations very soon,” Bautista said.
“This latest partnership for LRT-1’s operations and maintenance serves as a showcase to convince new Japanese investors to seriously consider Philippine mass transport projects,” he added.
Masayoshi Uemora, Hankyu Corp Senior Managing Director said constructing railway systems in the Philippines is “of vital importance to mitigate traffic congestion.
“Railway service plays an increasingly important role in helping solve this crisis,” he said.
With over a century of railway experience, Hankyu Corp. has been operating 190 kilometers of railway lines in Japan’s Kansai region.