Balintawak, Roosevelt Stations to resume operations in 2 weeks

The Balintawak and Roosevelt Stations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Authority Line 1 will resume operations in about two weeks, LRT management announced yesterday.

Speaking through Lawyer Hernando T. Cabrera, LRTA and MRT-3 spokesperson, LRTA Administrator Rafael S. Rodriguez said that functional testing and safety inspection have already been completed and same yielded need for the introduction of several operational procedures to further ensure public safety.

Cabrera said Rodriguez had ordered a thorough re-evaluation of the system as well as total review of safety policy, re-training and conduct of semi-annual driving test to all train operators. He added: "Train operators will also be required to undergo periodic tests."

"Our top consideration for the re-opening of the two stations is the safety assurance and convenience of the riding public," he stressed.

"We are upgrading our system and operational procedures, thus more safety precautions and procedures are being implemented to avoid similar incident in the future," Cabrera added.

The Roosevelt incident that transpired last February 18, 2011 brought minor damage on the body of the 3^rd Generation Japan made 4-car train and the 1^st Generation Belgian made 3-car train.

The LRT immediately halted the operations of Balintawak and Roosevelt stations after its two empty trains on opposite directions figured in the incident in front of SM Annex.

The two stations are part of the North Extension Project set to be completed in the mid of 2012.  Part of the project is the construction of the common station that will link LRT-1 to MRT-3.

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