LRTA sets all-time record high for most number of passengers in year 2009

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) yesterday reported it set a new record for the most number of passengers for a single year.

In a statement, LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles said a total of 149.44 million passengers used the Baclaran-Monumento Line (Line 1) in 2009, beating the old record of 145.83 million passengers set in 1994.

“With this all-time high, the LRT has established itself as the real alternative transportation in the metropolis for both the masses and the middle class. They have really learned to patronize the LRT systems. In fact, our ridership record remained high even during those times when fuel prices were low,” Robles said.

He added street-level congestion, volatile fuel prices, increasing environmental awareness, the fielding of more trains, continuously improving services and affordable fare rates, all contributed to LRTA’s successful year.

Robles said the record-breaking feats were also achieved because of the LRTA’s Capacity Expansion Project (Phase II), which was completed in 2007, as well as the speedy rehabilitation of all down trains, some of which were inoperative for almost 15 years.

“Because of Capex II and our rehabilitation efforts, we now have more trains to service passengers and bigger stations with more tellers’ booths to accommodate them,” Robles said.

The LRTA broke its own record established on Dec. 16, 1996 when it counted an unprecedented 582,989 passengers that took the Line 1 during the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene Jan. 9, 2009.

On the same day, a new combined ridership record of 785,674 passengers for both its Line 1 and Recto-Santolan System (Line 2), was also established, surpassing its 2007 record of 542,605.

This year, the LRTA is expecting another surge in its passenger volume once its North Extension Project begins its commercial run in February.  –Jason Faustino, Daily Tribune