LRT 1 accident to affect 600 passengers per hour, says LRTA

As a result of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 collision last Saturday, the transportation needs of an estimated 600 commuters will not be met for every hour that the two coaches involved in the accident are undergoing repairs in the Pasay City depot and while the incident is under investigation.

 

Each LRT coach serves the needs of 300 passengers per hour, according to the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).

 

A  fact finding team is now examining the train's blackbox and gathering statements from the train operator, guards on duty at the Monumento station and passengers who were onboard the LRT 1 when the collision happened at 7:03 a.m. on Saturday, said LRTA spokesman Hernando Cabrera.

 

Only the train operator was injured, said Cabrera, noting slight injuries in the right arm and knees.

 

The blackbox will answer two basic questions for the investigators: Did the automatic break system fail when the train sped off despite a red signal and hit another train stalled at the Monumento station? Or did the operator override the system without a go signal from the control center?

 

According to the LRTA, the automatic break system was triggered by power supply fluctuations. 

 

The LRT computerized signaling system stops all trains when it detects any anomaly in the mass rail system.

 

An estimated 10,000 passengers were affected by Saturday's incident which disabled both north and south bound operations of LRT 1.

 

The fact-finding team will submit a report on the incident to the Department of Transportation and Communications which is also doing its own independent probe into the accident. 

 

The results of the investigations are expected to be made public later this week.

 

In trying to assure the commuters, Cabrera said the trains and the signaling system are safe and have since been operating at normal levels. – VS, GMA News