MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Every year, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), dresses up the LRT-1 trains to spread the holiday cheer for its passengers. This time, however, the holiday themed train is having a special focus in light of the extraordinary situation the country experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic.
LRMC launches today its special LRT-1 train designed with a giant mask and face shield— a timely reminder for Filipino commuters to be responsible and do their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19. On each side of the train shows images of different frontliners from the medical field, security, and service sectors. This design is a tribute to the tireless dedication and efforts of the country’s brave workers to keep essential services running in the face of the pandemic. During the launch of the special LRT-1 Christmask themed train, safety kits were distributed to LRT-1 passengers at the Baclaran Station.
The themed train also bears the Ingat Angat Tayong Lahat campaign logo of the Taskforce T3 (Test, Trace, Treat), a multi-sectoral public-private consortium of companies and organizations including LRMC which are working closely with government agencies to boost businesses while ensuring consumers’ health and safety.
“LRMC always comes up with a meaningful theme for our seasonal themed trains project. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the country hard, and we know that this year’s Christmas celebration is going to be very different from what we’ve all been used to. But even COVID cannot take away Christmas season and its meaning to all of us. We encourage everyone to celebrate safely, and may the this season be more memorable to all of us in this challenging time. We want to express gratitude to all the frontliners in our lives, as well as uplift the spirit of the public through this unique execution,” LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso said.
“We also hope to reinforce the commuting public’s sense of safety by showing how LRMC continues to ensure that they always come home safely by riding the LRT-1. One way we do that is by constantly reminding people to wear masks and face shields properly on top of our existing best in class safety measures.”
Since it resumed operations during the GCQ period, LRMC has implemented above-minimum health and safety measures to ensure passenger and employee safety such as complying with the government’s directive of “No Face Mask, No Face Shield, No Entry” policy. Other measures also include diligent temperature checks with Forward Looking Infrared thermal scanners in six (6) major LRT-1 stations; Proper Ventilation is assured with fresh air exchanged every three minutes and filtered in the ACU system. Other measures are the installation of disinfection mats, impermeable plastic barriers on train seats, regular chemical disinfection complemented by UV C disinfection of all trains and stations; and strict crowd control. LRMC was the first to implement the “no-talking and no answering phone calls” policy inside the trains. It has pioneered the use of digital and mobile technology via its ikotMNL mobile app for information dissemination, convenient trip planning, and contact tracing of passengers. The LRT-1 also promotes safety in the stations by encouraging commuters to use Beep Cards to avoid lines and overcrowding.
For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.
