LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) joins the nation in celebrating the 124th Philippine Independence Day!

Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) joins the nation in celebrating the 124^th Philippine Independence Day on 12 June 2022 with special promotional offers for commuters.

 

Starting 12 June 2022, the total cost of a new beep™ card with load will be PHP50 from the previous total amount of PHP100. The cost of the beep™ card itself remains at PHP30, but the minimum load required for new beep™ card purchases has been reduced to PHP20 from the previous amount of PHP70. Passengers may avail of this special offer until 30 September 2022 at LRT-1 teller booths only. beep™ cards have a validity of four (4) years, which is subject to extension upon request at the LRT-1 stations.

 

“We are launching this initiative to make beep™ card more accessible, more affordable for budget-conscious passengers. Through this promo, they can now buy a reloadable Stored Value Card (SVC) or beep™ at half of the previous total cost of new beep™ card with load. This aligns with LRMC’s Tap2Ride campaign which aims to promote the use of contactless transactions in LRT-1 for safety and convenience,” LRMC Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Jacqueline S. Gorospe said.

 

“Aside from safer and faster travel, passengers can enjoy a wide range of benefits when they use beep™ such as discounted LRT-1 fares which can mean savings for commuters. There are more ways now to reload their beep™ cards such as Ticket Vending Machines, beep™ loading machines, and LRT-1 merchant loading kiosks – all located in LRT-1 stations. They can also use beep™ as e-money to purchase food or services from select LRT-1 merchants,” Gorospe added. 

 

Moreover, LRT-1 passengers will enjoy a free ride from 7:00am – 9:00am and 5:00pm – 7:00pm on 12 June 2022 as part of the yearly Independence Day promo. Existing beep™ card holders shall pass through the usual Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) gates and tap their cards to avail of the free ride without charge. Passengers without beep™ may get single journey tickets for free from the LRT-1 teller booths.

 

LRT-1 will follow normal operating hours on Independence Day, with the first trips leaving both Baclaran and Balintawak stations at 4:30am, and the last trips at 9:15pm (LRT-1 Baclaran Station) and 9:30pm (LRT-1 Balintawak Station).

 

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.

LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) intensifies its fight against COVID-19 by using best-in-class health and safety protocols

In a bid to continue providing a safe transportation system, private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) intensifies its fight against COVID-19 by using best-in-class health and safety protocols amid rising cases in the country.

 

On January 15 and 17, LRMC will provide free random COVID-19 antigen swab tests to passengers who will give their consent or volunteer for testing. Testing sites will be located at strategic LRT-1 stations with high volume of passengers that include EDSA, Baclaran, Monumento, and Carriedo.

LRMC is targeting to have at least a total of 40 passengers to be tested from 7 am to 5 pm. The turnaround time for the whole procedure is approximately 15 to 20 minutes per passenger. The antigen swab test will be administered by medical professionals from State Lab Clinics and Diagnostic Center. Passengers who will send themselves for testing will be given consent forms prior the procedure partnered with mandatory contact tracing requirements.

 

Those passengers who will test positive will not be allowed to ride the train, and will be assisted in coordinating with their respective local government unit. LRMC will be giving incentives to those passengers who will test negative with a free beep™ card with minimum load, in line with the company’s push for contactless payments as a safer way to travel. 

 

Aside from passengers, there will also be antigen swab testing among LRMC station employees, and they will undergo a confirmatory RT-PCR test once tested positive for COVID-19 virus. All LRMC employees are required to undergo daily monitoring of health conditions, which has been effective for the company in preventing workplace transmission.

 

Starting January 17, LRMC will also enforce the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr’s) new Department Order on vaccination policy, requiring passengers to present vaccination cards when riding the train. Unvaccinated individuals with medical conditions must present a duly signed certificate from their doctor. Those obtaining essential goods and services must present duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to support such travel.

 

“At LRT-1, we don’t allow the virus for a free ride. We remain committed to keeping LRT-1 safe for our passengers and our employees. And so, we remain adaptive to the evolving situation, and continuously upgrade existing protocols. LRMC works hand-in-hand with the government in managing the impact of COVID-19, while making sure that essential services are supported,” Dr. Duday de Sales, LRMC Head of Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Department said.

 

To date, LRMC has achieved a 99.7% vaccination rate and 20% for booster shots among LRT-1 employees. The company has been awarded the Safety Seal by the Pasay City local government highlighting the company’s compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

 

Proper ventilation is assured as trains are equipped with hospital-grade HEPA filtration and UVC system that is installed in air-conditioning units to keep indoor air fresh and clean.

 

Currently allowed to operate at 70% passenger capacity under Alert Level 3, LRMC continues to implement other health and safety protocols to strengthen public confidence in public transport such as diligent temperature checks before entering the station, “No face mask, no entry” policy, and regular disinfection. LRMC was also the first to implement the “no-talking and no answering phone calls” policy inside the trains. There are also roving train marshals and security officers to strictly enforce protocols. It has pioneered the use of digital and mobile technology via its ikotMNL mobile app for information dissemination and convenient trip planning.

 

LRT-1 operates daily following this train service schedule: Northbound train (4:30AM to 9:15PM), Southbound train (4:30AM to 9:30PM).

 

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.

LRT-1 unveils virtual ikotMNL train ride video for National Tourism Week

As the Philippines gears up for recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and gradually improves quarantine restrictions in some areas, many are already eager to tap into their strong desire to travel and bring back a sense of normalcy to their daily lives. 

 

Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is one with the country and the rest of the world in recognizing the role of tourism and economic activities in achieving inclusive growth.

 

To cap off the National Tourism Week celebrated every year, LRMC has released the ikotMNL train ride video featuring a virtual tour of points of interest near LRT-1 stations.  The virtual tour begins at Roosevelt Station all the way to Baclaran Station. The video was produced in partnership with Cities: Skylines content creator Gilbert Roy Alva whose Gilbert Plays YouTube Channel has been active for the past five years.

 

LINK TO THE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DSpJZU0wH8

 

The first stop of the virtual tour begins at the northernmost point at Roosevelt station, where shopping destinations SM North EDSA, Ayala Malls Trinoma, Munoz Market and S&R Congressional branch are easily accessible, as well as the Ninoy Aquino Wildlife Parks near the Quezon Memorial Circle. It is followed by the Balintawak station, where viewers are brought to the Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Landers Superstore as well as the Balintawak Market.

 

The journey continues at the Yamaha Monumento station, with nearby Malabon Zoo, Andres Bonifacio National Monument, and the future SM Grand Central as locations of interest. Venturing deeper into the capital city of Manila, one can dine in D’ Original Palabokan sa Obrero for authentic palabok, accessible from R. Papa station. Those looking for good lechon can get off at Abad Santos station to try Manila’s original lechon places—you can also stop by the Manila Chinese Cemetery or visit the row of cheap furniture stores located on Rizal Avenue Extension from here as well.

 

Those looking to take the Philippine National Railways (PNR) train can alight at Blumentritt station for the interchange. Further up the line is Tayuman station, where the Dangwa and Dapitan markets can be visited for great finds and fresh flowers. Travelers looking to visit the University of Santo Tomas, Manila’s oldest university, or find medical supplies at a bargain can go down at Bambang station. Shoppers wanting to get a taste of the authentic shopping experience in Manila’s famous Divisoria Mall can stop at Doroteo Jose station, where the University Belt and the interchange to the LRT-2 line are also found.

 

Hungry for some authentic Chinese food? Alighting from the Carriedo station will bring you to Manila’s Chinatown in Binondo.  Feast on noodles and more at restaurants like the original R. Ma Mon Luk, Sincerity Restaurant, David’s Tea House, and the Eng Bee Tin Flagship Store. The historic Binondo Church can also be found and the New Chinatown Arch. Near Carriedo Station, you can also shop for jewelry near Chinatown Gold Center or for handicraft at Quiapo 21 Awesome Budget Home Finds. The legacy site of SM (the first SM Store) is near the station too for items on clearance sale.

 

Looking to soak up the rich history of the city of Manila? What better place to go to than the walled city of Intramuros.  For other must-see local tourist stops, alight at the Central Station to lead you to the Manila City Hall, Liwasang Bonifacio, and the newly-refurbished Metropolitan Theater. Other nearby landmarks to visit include the Rizal Park and the National Museum Complex.  This is easily accessible from the UN Avenue Station.  From there, city landmarks like the University of the Philippines Manila, the Philippine General Hospital, the Manila Zoo, Plaza Rajah Sulayman and Remedios Circle in bustling Malate can be reached from the next stop, Pedro Gil station.

 

More historic sites are up the street, as getting down on Vito Cruz station lets you go to De La Salle University and the College of Saint Benilde, Rizal Memorial Stadium, Coconut Palace, and Cultural Center of the Philippines. The next stop, Gil Puyat station, is near the Upside Down Museum, the Buendia Food Court (with a lot of great food options), the World Trade Center, and the bus terminals for provincial trips.

 

Shoppers will want to get down at Libertad station, which traverses the city of Pasay, as the famed Cartimar Shopping Center is located within walking distance from the station. The Dampa sa Pasay, Cuneta Astrodome, and the Pasay City Hall are also nearby. One more stop after this, EDSA station, places you near the SM Mall of Asia complex, with Conrad Manila, Dessert Museum, future IKEA store, and the Philippine Senate which areeasily accessible. The MRT-3 interchange is also located at the EDSA station.

 

Last but not the least, the southernmost stop is Baclaran station, where the Baclaran Shopping Center, Baclaran Church, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are located, capping off the eventful trip through the metropolis. The Baclaran Station will soon connect to the new stations being added in the Cavite Extension Project once it is completed.

 

“Our ikotMNL tourism campaign aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, showing the importance of building back better especially after this pandemic. Through this video, we wanted to promote the value of LRT-1’s network, how it is connecting people to life-relevant destinations and delivering them to these places in comfort. These important destinations include food places, shopping areas, leisure sites, schools, work places among others. We wanted to reveal local spots of interest and encourage people to discover more of their neighborhoods via public or active transport, while traveling today still remains largely limited,” LRMC Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Jacqueline Gorospe said. 

 

“We have our mobile app, also called ikotMNL, to equip our commuters with better information about the train rides, destinations, and LRT-1 operations. It is available for download for free on Google Play and App Store to help them on their next LRT-1 trip,” Gorospe added.

 

With the strict implementation of its health and safety protocols, LRMC assures that LRT-1 passengers can have peace of mind while riding the train as they go out for essential needs or even leisure trips around the metro once again.

 

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.