LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has announced the start of dynamic test runs for the brand-new 4th Generation (Gen-4) train sets along its existing line.
The Gen-4 trains will be seen running along the LRT line 1 beginning Wednesday night 04 May 2022 and thereafter, during off-peak hours and weekends to demonstrate reliability and performance including their compliance with the technical and operational requirements.
“We would like to inform our passengers that they will now start seeing brand-new Gen-4 trains along the LRT line 1, but 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 to commercial service soon,” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico S. Benipayo shared.
A total of 30 Gen-4 train sets – each consisting of four (4) light rail vehicles (LRVs) – will be put to a series of dynamic test runs in phases with two to three train sets crossing the main line per day. LRMC train operators will be driving the new train sets manufactured by Mitsubishi Corporation and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrorcarriles (CAF) of Spain.
Each Gen-4 train set needs to complete a total of 1,000 kms prior to acceptance by the Grantors and their 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 very 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.
The state-of-the-art Gen-4 train sets, with total capacity of 1,300 passengers, measure 106 meters in length and 2.59 meters in width, with maximum design speeds of up to 70 kph. It has destination signs to inform passengers if the trains are heading north or south. The driver station inside features a modern design, with a monitor that shows the temperature. The new train sets are also PWD-friendly with special areas for wheelchairs.