Source: Manila Bulletin, Friday, 28 November 2003
Twelve upgraded coaches of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) have been added to its fleet of air-conditioned trains plying the north-to-south border of Metro Manila.
LRTA Administrator Teddy B. Cruz Jr. said the 12 coaches are an add-on to the 18 original non-air-conditioned units of the mass railway from Baclaran in Para?aque City to Monumento in Caloocan City, which had been installed with air-conditioners last September.
"I am glad to announce that there are now 54 coaches in LRT 1 that have airconditioning systems," Cruz said.
Included in the 54 are the 24 Adtranz type. These are the air-conditioned trains purchased from a South Korean company bearing the same name in 1998.
"I hope there will be more commuters who will be enticed to ride our trains now", he added.
The upgrading of the trains, imported from Belgium at least 20 years ago, is part of the Capacity Expansion Project of the LRTA.
It is targeted that all of the 63 original non-air-conditioned trains will be upgraded by April of next year.
Cruz said this would not have been achieved if not for the support of Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza.
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