00:00 One of the new trains of Generation 4 trainsets for LRT Line 1 took off on the tracks today.
00:05 The new train has its own high-tech capabilities such as a destination sign,
00:10 temperature monitors and a human-machine interface for troubleshooting issues that may occur on the train.
00:15 Karen Villanda tells us more.
00:18 At 4.30 in the morning, the new Generation 4 trainsets of LRT 1 opened for service to the public for the first time.
00:28 And they couldn't help but notice the huge difference from the existing ones.
00:32 According to the Light Rail Manila Corporation, it is significantly cooler compared to the old, such as
00:57 first-generation trains whose air conditioning has lost a lot of its cooling power due to old age which began service and/or operations in 1986.
01:07 As for Rowena, whose car was in repair and took the train instead,
01:11 she said it was fine because she saw the development of transportation in the country.
01:17 We were surprised because we thought it was new.
01:20 It was just right.
01:22 How did you feel?
01:24 We felt like we didn't want to get off.
01:27 The air conditioning is strong, it's warm, it's nice, it's safe.
01:31 Our country is updated if we are going to upgrade.
01:35 Compared to the old trainsets, the fourth generation has a destination sign
01:40 that lets the passengers know whether the train is headed north or southbound.
01:45 It also has a temperature monitor which automatically adjusts depending on the number of passengers.
01:51 It also has a human-machine interface that can inform the driver that it can immediately troubleshoot certain train problems.
01:59 It also runs at 70 km/h compared to old trains running 60 km/h.
02:06 Although the issue of leaks inside the train persists when it rains, according to LRT1 management, repairs are still on.
02:13 Fixes are ongoing to address the water leak issue.
02:17 The trains are being repaired in batches.
02:21 Because the first batch is already done, we used one train.
02:26 And then actually in August, the first week, we will add another train.
02:31 So this is gradually being repaired so we can be deployed little by little.
02:38 We don't have to wait for everything to be repaired because it's a waste if there's one that can be used.
02:44 We will deploy it ourselves.
02:46 So the fixes needed to address the water leak issue are being done in batches.
02:52 Right now, there is only one generation 4 trainsets running on the LRT1 line.
02:57 But its number will be increased every week because about 20 trainsets have already arrived in the country.
03:03 And 10 more are expected next year when delivery shall have been completed.
03:08 That's why there are considerations to retire the generation 1 trainsets and only keep the generation 2, 3, and 4 trainsets.
03:16 For the gen 1, we have other gen 1 trainsets that are underwent major rehabilitation.
03:24 So the other ones can still extend their lives.
03:27 So we are still discussing if we will use them or if we will totally phase out.
03:33 But still, some of these units will be on standby.
03:36 LRT1 ridership is expected to increase when the Cavite extension is finished in 2025.
03:42 That's why the arrival of the additional trainsets is part of preparation for train service on the LRT1 Cavite extension all the way to Baco or Cavite.
Be the first to comment