An
investigation into the empty train collision which led to the temporary
closure of Roosevelt and Balintawak stations found that the train driver
violated the speed restriction in the area between the Roosevelt station and
the reversing track in front of SM EDSA mall.
According to
Lawyer Hernando T. Cabrera, LRTA spokesperson, the train operator exceeded
the speed restriction of 40 kph with traveling speed of 61 kph as recorded
by the Train Monitoring System (TMS).
The 3rd
Generation Japan made 4-car train, which is equipped with a TMS that records
system faults as well as application of emergency brake being experienced by
the train, braking efforts and electric currents supplied to the train made
contact with a 1st Generation Belgian made 3-car train.
Based from the
result of the investigation conducted by the LRTA Fact-Finding Committee,
the train operator also defied the existing policy against using mobile
phones while on duty and operating the train. Train operators are allowed to
bring their mobile phones as back up communication.
The train
escort, on the other hand, failed to duly release on time the Virtual
Switch, which could have activated the emergency brake, when the train went
beyond the 40 kph speed restriction, the investigation showed.
"After
this probe, we can conclude that the incident happened at Roosevelt station
is caused by negligence of operator. The involved persons in the incident
will face corresponding charges," Cabrera said.
Meanwhile,
Balintawak and Roosevelt stations are expected to resume operations on
Monday after the completion of safety inspection and function testing of the
system on Sunday, said LRTA Administrator Rafael S. Rodriguez.
"We want first
to ensure the safety of our riding public," Rodriguez stressed, adding that
the management will apply further corrective measures to avoid similar
incident in the future.
Rodriguez also
ordered a total review of safety policy, re-training and conduct a
semi-annual driving test to all train operators.
The incident in
LRT Line 1 happened last Friday when the approaching 3rd
generation train sideswiped another which brought minor damage on the first
coach of the train as well as its under chassis while the reversing track
sustained the same.