LRT-1 begins trial runs of fourth gen trains

One of the LRT-1's newest fourth-generation trains (Photo courtesy of LRMC)

MANILA – The latest fourth generation trains of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) are set to undergo dynamic test runs along the existing LRT-1 line to demonstrate their “reliability and performance” before they are used by the public.

In a statement on Wednesday, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC)—the operator and maintenance provider of the LRT-1—chief operating officer Enrico Benipayo said these trains will be seen running along the LRT-1 line beginning Wednesday night and during “off-peak hours and weekends.”

“They still cannot ride these Gen-4 trains yet. We are conducting these trial runs to simulate regular commercial operations and to make sure that these trains are safe for the passengers once we put them into commercial service soon,” Benipayo said.

The LRT-1 has a total of thirty fourth generation trains—each consists of four light rail vehicles.

These new trains will go through dynamic test runs, with two to three train sets expected to go through the LRT-1 line per day.

Each train—manufactured by Mitsubishi Corporation and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrorcarriles (CAF) of Spain—will need to complete a total of 1,000 kilometers of dynamic tests before its eventual handover to LRMC for commercial use.

“We would like to assure our passengers that this activity will not affect the normal operations of LRT-1. We are excited to share this positive development and our target for the commercial use of the first Gen-4 train set is by end of May 2022,” Benipayo said.

Each of these new trains has a total capacity of 1,300 passengers and a maximum designed speed of up to seventy kilometers per hour.

Its features include having destination signs to inform passengers if the trains are heading north or south, a modern driver station, and accessibility to persons with disability. (PNA)

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