It is one of the measures being seen to help address the crowding in stations and provide alternative during breakdowns.
On Monday, October 12, tje Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that they have already started coordinating with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) to review the proposed bus route that will run along the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), which spans from Recto, Manila on its west to Antipolo, Rizal on its eastern end.
The move is in compliance with the order of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez, who directed the conduct of the review the week prior.
Lopez revealed that the special bus routes will be similar to the concept of the EDSA Busway, wherein there will be a designated pick-up and drop-off stations at the nearest LTR-2 stations.
This came after the conduct of assessment wherein the line continues to see long queues and congestion at its stations, especially during rush hour.
The said congestion extends from station platforms to the lower levels and surrounding streets, resulting in prolonged waiting times that affect the daily commute of the public.
Aggravating that is the fact that only eight to ten trains are currently in operation, which also causes longer headways in between trains.
Acting LTFRB Chairman Atty. Greg Pua, Jr. said: “The initial information that we have is the significant increase of passengers of the LRT-2 especially during rush hours in the morning and the afternoon. Our goal is to come up with new routes that will serve as alternative mode of transportation for the passengers.”
Pua also said that they fully understand the urgency of the situation, especially that those affected are students and workers.
He said part of the coordination with the LRTA is the identification of the pick-up and drop-off stations, with locations being at the nearest LRT-2.
“We assure all our kababayan that the LTFRB and the LRTA are now focusing on this matter and will come up with the results of the study in the soonest possible time,” the acting LTFRB chief furthered.
He also noted that the coordination will also include the local government units— Antipolo City, Pasig City, Marikina City, Quezon City, San Juan and Manila.
The result of the study and the recommendations will be submitted to the DOTr for review and approval.
The said proposal will also examine the operational arrangements for the PUB service, continued compliance with existing franchising and regulatory requirements, and the fare to be charged to passengers.
DOTR TO LRTA: IMMEDIATE SOLUTIONS TO LONG QUEUES
Meanwhile, during his inspection on Tuesday, October 13, Lopez also instructed the implementation of measures to solve long queues in stations to LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera.
“Kailangang maghanap tayo ng mga alternatibong paraan para hindi maaantala ang biyahe ng mga estudyanteng papasok sa eskwela, mga empleyadong papasok sa opisina at mga komyuter na pupunta sa kani-kanilang destinasyon. At kahit papaano’y bigyan natin ng ginhawa ang mga pasaherong pumipila,” he added.
Apart from that, he also directed the LRTA to rnsure there are no service disruptions on the trains, provide priority lanes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, maintain proper ventilation in the stations, and ensure that escalators and elevators are operational.
SOURCING FUNDS FOR NEW TRAINSETS
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) are taking steps to secure funding and purchase additional trainsets for LRT-2.
However, since the new trains are expected to take three years or more to arrive, the DOTr is exploring alternative measures to improve the situation and reduce passenger queues at the stations.
Currently, only eight trains are deployed because one train set is undergoing a Train Operating Control Panel upgrade, while another is still being repaired. Meanwhile, the number of passengers riding the LRT-2 continues to rise.
According to LRTA, in its own statement, citing technical assessments, eight of the original 18 LRT-2 train sets were found to be beyond repair and no longer suitable for rehabilitation.
“Hyundai Rotem and TÜV Rheinland Philippines, Inc. subsequently recommended the acquisition of new train sets as a more sustainable and viable long-term solution for the LRT-2 System,” the authority said.
“Patuloy po ang paghahanap namin ng pondo para sa kailangang dagdag na tren para sa LRT-2. Kailangan na rin pong ma-upgrade ang iba nating tren,” said Lopez. “Pero habang ina-ayos po natin ito, naghahanap po tayo ng ibang paraan para maibsan ang pila sa mga istasyon at matulungan ang ating mga komyuter.”
The LRTA also assured the public that it continues to undertake regular maintenance activities and procure the necessary spare parts to keep its trains operational.
However, one of the major challenges in maintaining the LRT-2 fleet is the age of its train sets, which have been in service for more than two decades, or since the line opened in 2003.
“Over the years, some train parts and components have become obsolete or are no longer commercially available. This has made the repair and maintenance of the trains increasingly challenging, particularly in sourcing replacement parts and restoring trains to operational condition,” it explained.
