LRT to reopen Balintawak, Roosevelt stations

MANILA, Philippines - The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said yesterday that the Balintawak and Roosevelt stations of the LRT Line 1 will reopen by April 11.

LRTA administrator Rafael Rodriguez said the line’s train operators are undergoing refresher training to improve rail safety and security.

“We allotted ample time for the refresher and re-training of all train operators in Line 1, and re-orientation on safety driving policy to keep them from figuring in rail-related accidents,” he said. “We want to guarantee that our drivers can safely ferry our passengers to their destinations.”

The stations were shut down after a train collision last Feb. 18 caused by train operator Antonio Cea Jr., who was using his cell phone while driving and failed to observe mandatory stops and speed limits.

The two stations were closed since the collision, which cost the LRTA more than P10 million in lost passenger revenue. The LRTA conducted functional testing, safety inspections, and system re-evaluation and has instituted additional safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, covering the modification of the virtual switch which provides additional safety mechanism in the operation of trains and placement of train inspectors and dispatchers, who shall oversee the train movements from Monumento to the reversing site at Roosevelt Station.

The two stations are part of the North Extension Project that will link LRT Line 1 and the EDSA-bound Metro Rail Transit Line 3 through a common station, which is expected to be completed next year.