LRT-1 to get new train cars from Japan’s Mitsubishi

Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. will provide new train cars for Manila’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line-1, which is now being extended to Cavite province.

The announcement was made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), which added that Mitsubishi would supply 120 cars, or 30 train sets, to the LRT-1 from 2020 to 2022.

The supply deal is part of the LRT-1 Public Private Partnership project, which was bagged by the Light Rail Manila Corp. of Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. The consortium is operating LRT-1 and is responsible for extending the train line 11.7 kilometers to the Niog area in Bacoor, Cavite. The new line is expected to be operational by 2021.

The entire PPP project is valued at P64.9 billion. This includes the ¥43.25 billion (P19.6 billion) in overseas development assistance from Jica for the new train cars.

“Through the project, Jica aims to support the Philippines in accommodating growing demand for quality mass transport and job opportunities,” Susumu Ito, chief representative of Jica Philippines office, said in a statement on Monday.

Jica is separately funding a planned P360-billion subway in Metro Manila and train lines linking the capital to provinces in the north.

“The LRT Line-1 new rolling stocks will use Japanese technology and products while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Once completed, the new rolling stocks of LRT Line 1 can accommodate 1,388 passengers per train and more than double the number of running trains to 222,” Jica said.

It noted “shifting from road-based transport to rail based mass transit could help ease the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila due to urbanization and population growth.”