LRMC launches new beep™ card promo, announces free LRT-1 rides on Independence Day

Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) joins the nation in celebrating the 124th Philippine Independence Day on 12 June 2022 with special promotional offers for commuters.

Starting 12 June 2022, the total cost of a new beep™ card with load will be PHP50 from the previous total amount of PHP100. The cost of the beep™ card itself remains at PHP30, but the minimum load required for new beep™ card purchases has been reduced to PHP20 from the previous amount of PHP70. Passengers may avail of this special offer until 30 September 2022 at LRT-1 teller booths only. beep™ cards have a validity of four (4) years, which is subject to extension upon request at the LRT-1 stations.

“We are launching this initiative to make beep™ card more accessible, more affordable for budget-conscious passengers. Through this promo, they can now buy a reloadable Stored Value Card (SVC) or beep™ at half of the previous total cost of new beep™ card with load. This aligns with LRMC’s Tap2Ride campaign which aims to promote the use of contactless transactions in LRT-1 for safety and convenience,” LRMC Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Jacqueline S. Gorospe said.

LRMC cancels LRT-1 service suspension on April 24-25

Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) announces that LRT-1 operations will no longer be suspended on 24 – 25 April 2021 as majority of the planned maintenance works have already been completed ahead of schedule.

LRMC previously announced that two weekends in April will be needed to complete the remaining maintenance of trains, stations, and various systems including overhead catenary system started during the Holy Week. Major rehabilitation works were performed to continuously ensure the safety and reliability of the LRT-1 system.

LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico Benipayo said, "We recognize the role of public transport in ensuring the mobility of essential services and understand the needs of our commuters this pandemic. Our Engineering team did their best to accelerate and compress activities through improved planning and coordination. LRT-1 will no longer need another 1-weekend shutdown and will be back to serve our passengers this coming weekend."

LRMC announces LRT-1 2021 Holy Week schedule

In order to facilitate necessary upgrades and continuous improvements to the LRT-1 system, private operator and maintenance provider Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is announcing a temporary suspension of LRT-1 operations from March 31 (Holy Wednesday) to April 4, 2021 (Easter Sunday) for its annual maintenance. LRT-1 will continue to be operational on March 29 and 30 following its regular service hours.

“The work we will need to do on our lines is to ensure that our train system continues to perform at its best. We are doing everything we can for a better and smoother commute on the LRT-1,” said Enrico R. Benipayo, LRMC Chief Operating Officer.

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.

LRMC receives ISO recertification for Quality and Environmental Management System

Lead auditor of TUV Rheinland Philippines with the
 LRMC ISO team inspecting the LRT-1 Quirino Station
 during the onsite audit in November 2020

LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has received its recertification for ISO 9000:2015 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) after the successful audit conducted remotely last July 15-16, 2020 and onsite last November 18-19, 2020.

The new certificates will have a validity of three (3) years. LRMC first received its ISO certification in 2017. An ISO certification means that the company’s processes and systems meet international standards, ensuring both quality service for commuters and a first-rate work environment for employees.

Among the major positive observations commended in the audit include the management’s COVID-19 response (thermal scanning, UV C disinfection measure, contact tracing) on top of basic measures such as the use of minimum PPEs and physical distancing. Other safety measures that the audit team commended were the installation of additional beep card kiosks to improve queuing in all LRT-1 stations, installation of x-ray machines for additional security, encapsulation of asbestos roofing in the stations, and the implementation of specific controls to reduce risks on the tracks. The auditors also commended LRMC’s technology initiatives such as upgraded CCTVs, finger scan access control, electronic data management running on virtual server, and its enhanced Automated Train Operations Management System.

LRMC boosts LRT-1 capacity, assures safety of passengers

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator and maintenance provider of LRT-1, assures the safety of passengers as it increases capacity of trains in support of economic recovery.

Following the Department of Transportation (DOTr)’s directive to gradually increase the maximum passenger capacity of trains and adhere to OPLAN AIR (ADD PUVs, routes, trains, INCREASE speed, capacity, REDUCE travel time, headway), LRMC will adjust passenger loading capacity to 30% gradually up to 50% later on. Passenger control will be implemented using the PLPP (passenger limit per platform) strategy, wherein a defined number of passengers are allowed to board per station.

LRMC’s ikotMNL app now with contact tracing feature and Sakay.ph navigation

LRT-1 private operator and maintenance provider, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), continues to pioneer digitalization for rail transport and find ways to enhance the commuting experience in Metro Manila.

Using the ikotMNL mobile app, LRT-1 passengers on trains and at the stations may activate the contact tracing feature via Bluetooth LE technology that allows detection of other passengers nearby. The contact tracing feature is automated, anonymous, and privacy-first by design. With the integration of this feature, LRT-1 passengers who may have come into close proximity with a fellow passenger who reports or tags himself later on as diagnosed positive with COVID-19 will be notified by government authorities when the respective contact tracing procedure begins. This is part of LRMC'S initiatives to keep reassuring the public of a safe railway, as well as help government authorities in fighting further spread of COVID-19 by addressing the challenges of manual contact tracing and providing safe and anonymous log interactions. 

LRMC rolls out thermal screening system at LRT-1 stations

As part of its serious commitment to enforce health and safety measures against COVID-19, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has deployed new thermal cameras at select high-traffic LRT-1 stations for use in entry screening. LRT-1 resumed its operations last 1 June 2020 after receiving the green light from the government under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) guidelines.

The forward-looking infrared (FLIR) set-up consists of a thermal camera attached to a tripod and connected to a monitor. The camera detects the infrared energy invisible to the human eye that people and objects emit. An automatic alarm is triggered with red color notification if temperature is higher than the settings. The FLIR thermal scanning system is currently used in hospitals, establishments, and schools in Taiwan –one of the countries recognized for their most effective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also the same system deployed at Taipei Metro.

LRMC ramps up safety measures for operations restart New guidelines for LRT-1 passengers

Preparations are in full swing as the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) anticipates the resumption of the LRT-1 operations. This is after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) released new safety guidelines for mass public transportation once the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) enforced in Metro Manila is lifted.

To ensure the welfare and protection of both passengers and employees, LRT-1 private operator LRMC will implement the following health and safety measures to fight the spread of COVID-19 once it re-opens its trains to the public.