LRT-1 revenues up 7 percent

Line 1 of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) has posted a seven percent increase in revenues for the first quarter of 2003 after recording a total sales of P314.1 million compared to P293.2 million of the same period last year.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza said total ridership of the LRT also went up by nine percent for the first three months of the year, serving 27.7 million passengers compared to 25.1 million in the same period of 2002.

"This only shows that the patronage of our railway transport has been increasing due to the convenience it offers," Mendoza said.

Citing report from Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Teodoro Cruz Jr., Mendoza said the daily ridership of Line 1 is averaging at least 307,597 while daily collection is at least P3.5 million.

The DOTC chief added that monthly average ridership has surged to at least 9.2 million while monthly sales averaged at least P104.7 million a month.

He said the government also expects to surpass the total revenue collection of Line 1 last year, which totaled P1.519 billion.

"The Arroyo government is dedicated to improve the services of the LRT Line 1 to better serve the riding public," Mendoza added.

He said the DOTC, through the LRTA, is working to double passenger volume capacity within this year.

According to Mendoza, Line 1 will expand its passenger capacity to accommodate an additional 40,000 passengers per hour.

"We hope to expand the LRT’s capacity from its present 27,000 passengers per hour to serve more commuters," Mendoza said.

DOTC spokesman Thompson Lantion said that aside from increasing the capacity of the railway, the government is also embarking on the continuous modernization of LRT line 1 by upgrading or replacing technologically obsolete parts and equipment, particularly the rail vehicles.

"The LRTA is involved in the installation of air-conditioning units in old fleet to make it more convenient for the commuting public and the repainting of the LRT stations," Lantion said.

Line 1 has a total 18 stations from Monumento to Baclaran.

"We want to serve LRT commuters in the safest and most comfortable way possible," Lantion added.

Last April 5, the first phase of the LRT line 2 also known as "Megatren" became operational which include four stations from Santolan, Pasig to Cubao, Quezon City and will ultimately extend to Recto, Manila on April 2004, with the operation of seven other stations.