LRTA, NCRPO hold simulation for resumption of LRT-2 ops

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MANILA – The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), in cooperation with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), on Tuesday conducted a simulation exercise as part of its preparation for the resumption of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) operations.

In a Facebook post, LRTA Administrator Rey Berroya said around 500 police trainees from the NCRPO participated in the exercise which aimed to test the health and safety protocols in the rail service.

“The said simulation has shown how the stations were prepared to serve the riding public, as safety and health protocols were put in place, including the installation of social distancing markers, as well as the regular sanitation of trains after every loop,” the LRTA said.

NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas joined the simulation with LRTA Safety and Security Manager Jimmy Chua.

The protocols tested include passenger distribution control which will implement reduced passenger capacity in every LRT-2 station platform from the previous 1,600 to only 160, physical distancing, safety protocols and information campaign.

“Public safety is our primordial concern. Our citizens will be needing public transport to go to work and other places and the LRT is one of the indispensable and fastest modes of transportation in Metro Manila,” Sinas said.

According to the NCRPO, physical distancing will be enforced in the rail service through the installation of “one-way yellow lines” in entrances, X-ray machine lines, stairs, platform areas, holding areas, connecting lines, link bridges, payment areas and other places open to passengers.

Safety protocols include foot baths and disinfecting mats, handheld metal detectors, thermal scanners to prevent those with temperature exceeding 37.8°C from entering and alcohol or sanitizing gels for the public.

The NCRPO also said banners, posters, tarpaulins and other informational materials were installed inside the LRT-2 premises to “enhance awareness on safety protocols being implemented inside the station.”

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), rail services such as the LRT-2 will be allowed to resume service once quarantine rules in Metro Manila have been eased into a general community quarantine.

The DOTr maintained that like other means of public transportation, rail transportation will have limited passenger capacity in accordance with physical distancing and other guidelines set by the government to combat the possible transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019.