Ref.: Maria Kristina E. Cassion

        854-0984 / 854-0452 / 854-0456 / 853-0041 to 60 local 8940/8329

        Mobile: +63 917 552-6023

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced today (May 28, 2009) its plans to sue the contractor and building owner(s) of Victoria de Manila Condominium after a portion of the building’s wire mesh debris protector fell down the trackside of the LRT Line 1 - Pedro Gil Station, causing more than two hours of service interruption.

LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles said the estimated loss in their revenue was around P518, 375 for an estimated 36, 250 lost passengers.

“We are certainly going after them. More than the loss of our revenue, their negligence has caused inconvenience to our passengers, considering that it happened on a peak hour,” Robles said.

LRTA Engineers and Safety Officers responding to the problem site found that the fallen debris hit and damaged the catenary wire before falling down the northbound trackside. The catenary wire is the source of power that makes the trains run.  

The LRTA management had to cut off the power supply from UN Avenue Station to Baclaran Station and implement half-line operations from Central to Monumento Stations, and vice versa to allow the concerned officers to retrieve the fallen debris and repair the damaged wire. Normal operations started at around 9:45 AM.

Robles appealed to building owners and contractors, who are constructing structures along its Baclaran to Monumento Line, as well as its Recto-Santolan Line, to be more vigilant on the safety aspect of their construction to prevent a similar occurrence that could affect not only their services, but the riding public as well.

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