ROTEM (from SK), Hitachi (Japan), Siemens (Germany) are soooo much better than the ones we got for MRT 3... Hopefully the future lines will have excellent trains.

Check this out. Some MRT stations have foundations for another 4 levels of commercial space to be built on top of the stations.

http://www.geocities.com/aaron_ofngol/ortigas.txt

http://www.geocities.com/aaron_ofngol/kamuning.txt

http://www.geocities.com/aaron_ofngol/guadalupe.txt

What? then they would become bulky, dull, big blocks. I dont like it. Unless, they are able to make it look modern and stylish, but even then, it will be too big.

that'd look real funny. haha... how'd they get the idea of putting up those "bulky, dull, big blocks" every few hundred meters along EDSA? seems real dumb to me...

that's just gonna make the stations look worse. the stations already have nearby commerical establishments. no need to put more.

Khun Lumpia,

Fro the case of BKK Subway Stations, Please took at here:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=99543&page=6&pp=20

At Phaholyothin Station - Got o Gate 5 if you want to go to Central lad Phrao
http://www.yimsiam.com/cgi-bin/data/fanrotfaithai/pic/0003084.jpg

Huay Kwang Depot
http://www.yimsiam.com/cgi-bin/data/fanrotfaithai/pic/0002954.jpg

Bangsue - Terminal Station - Passngersa who want to Ride Northern Train, please go to Gate 1
Those who want to ride Southern Train, Please goto Gate 2
http://www.yimsiam.com/cgi-bin/data/fanrotfaithai/pic/0003082.jpg

Security Guard at BKK Subway - Better use Arintharat Unit [or Queenspark Ranger & Marines from Chonburi] to disguise themselves as these guards ...
http://www.yimsiam.com/cgi-bin/data/fanrotfaithai/pic/0002951.jpg

For thsoe Who want to see Skytrain & Subnway Clearly, Please go to Rail Thai Website and click the thumbneil pictures ...

Skytrain: http://www.geocities.com/railthai_gallery/bts.htm
Subway: http://www.geocities.com/railthai_gallery3/mrta.htm

IF the rollign stocks for North Rail-South Rail in Manila came from Daewoo, the would be soemthing like this [but electrified version ...]:

http://www.thaimtb.com/webboard/59/29683-2.jpg

BTW, What make BTSC Skytrain equal or EVEN better than Megatren ?
However, MRTA Subway need to be ironed out since the system is NOT fully functioned .... Despite fo that the popularity of Subway is REALLY high ...
Wait unti it is fully functioned in August 2004 ...

What the heck is this?I am 100% sure that the Philippine government would never buy a crap like that.It`s damn ugly.

well certainly they wouldn't buy it. but it can be donated and refurbished.

bout the mrt3 coaches, di ba naisip yan ng mga engineers & ng mga planners yan bago dinala dito, parang ang tanga naman nila na ngayon lang nila to lahat nalaman!!! nakakainis talaga! ugh! haaayyyyyy...

speaking of elevated shops naman, we already had one best example that never clicked, the shaw blvd. station, developed by greenfield. maybe the one in ayala was a sucess coz the pedestrian traffic was really diverted upstairs, unlike in shaw where all people wud stil hav to cross the street at street level.

some aircon coaches that we see on pnr trains were in fact donated 2 years ago by Japan East Railway, na mukhang brand new pa, e pinabayaan din nila(PNR) kaya nabulok din.

I wonder why the blue doesn't ply 4- car trains like the purple line and yellow line (new trains). It's still 3-car and yet volume is kinda high.

--->NAGTITIPID? :)

for sure...or the money went to the pockets of some;)

Khun Thunderflip, Khun Renell,

You better blame SRT's archetechs who make such a poor external design ... but you sholud not Blame Daewoo Heavy Industry who produced 60 sets of DMUs you have seen.

Daewoo DMU set are to replace the British Sprinter DMUs which cannot CLIMB Kaeng Khoi - Pakchong section of Northeeastern railway due to less powerful engine. Furthermore, thse who run Makkasaen Depot said they have very heard time to deal with aluminum structure of British Sprinter ... so the steel Daewoo with less external design (very ugly design) is BETTER in the maintianance viewpoints of view of Thai Railway Enginners at Makkasan.

Now, the rail production line of Daewoo has already been taken over by ROTEM.
Hope that they'll sell some of their Sae Mael, Munkuhwa or Tongil DMUs to ASEAN (with gauge conversion of course).

LRT-II V. Mapa station taken from SM Centepoint.
Wala lang, feel ko lang i-post.

http://www.geocities.com/a_ofngol/lrt2_v-mapa.txt

maganda.

massive. doesn't look too shabby either in the concrete

Yellow Line (LRT) should start painting its roof yellow.

ding dong.... next station, gilmore, and susunod na estasyon ay gilmore... ding dong.!

wow....i have to sat that bangkok subway/mrt stations looks very modern and nicer
=( hope the upcomming mrt and lrt would be well funded and be as nice as bangkok's

also it'd be great if Line 1 can have some of the things LRT2 has right now. like those talking things, and an elevator is another big thing.

maybe you mean escalator not elevator makes such long cues and is highly inefficient

Wow...nice picture. its sleek and big!:okay: There are escalators and elevators (for the disabled) in all stations of line 2.

i'd suggest both. i don't think you can put wheelchair-bound people in escalators with ease. but an elevator takes less space.

i don't think there'd be long cues. it would take less time for them to use the stairs than cue up.

oops my bad...i thought we were talking about line 2.:D yeah, i think Line 1 does need both escalators and elevators just like line2.

woah, nice shot!!!! i LOVE THE MEGATREN!!!

More pics, only this time it was taken on a PDA cam so the quality is not that good.

http://www.geocities.com/a_ofngol/lrt2_pureza.txt
http://www.geocities.com/a_ofngol/lrt2_legarda.txt
http://www.geocities.com/a_ofngol/lrt2_legarda_2.txt
http://www.geocities.com/a_ofngol/lrt2_legarda_3.txt

ok naman po ung pics. nice. :)

The quality is not that bad from a pda cam. Its quite nice. Thanks for sharing.

thanks for the pictures! haha... which station is that?

The first pic is from Pureza while the other three is from Legarda.

hi there!!, well iv just read the latest 'city sense' column of mr. alcazaren, on the Phil Star dated Saturday(yesterday), & he showed some renderings there of some of the first elevated trains to be built in downtown manila, ithink theyr better than d present lrt1 & theyre planned na pala as early as 1968!! whoa!!

GMA orders DOTC to expedite railway projects

The Philippine Star 09/05/2004

In order to ease traffic and decongest Metro Manila, President Arroyo ordered yesterday the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to expedite the construction of the remaining three stations of Metro Railway Transit 3 line linking North EDSA to Monumento and the North Rail project phase 1 connecting Caloocan City to Malolos, Bulacan.

The President issued the order during the "Pulong Bayan" at the Light Railway Transit Line 2 station in Cubao, Quezon City, wherein the theme was "Decentralization of Development: Transport System."

Decentralizing development by transport infrastructure is one of the President’s 10-point agenda for the next six years.

Joining the President were Vice President Noli de Castro, Sen. Mar Roxas, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, LTFRB chief Elena Bautista and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

The President said MRT 3 stations of Muñoz, Balintawak and Monumento would surely improve the traffic condition in the metropolis.

She questioned the delay to which Mendoza said his department is resolving some technical and legal issues regarding the construction. Mendoza said, however, that project construction would start by the first quarter of 2005.

"Ayaw kong pag-usapan ang kahit na anong ibang train project sa Metro Manila hanggang hindi ko nakikita ito," the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo also ordered North Luzon Railway Corp. president Jose Cortez to fasttrack the North Rail project.

She noted that the squatter families in Caloocan City that are bound to be affected by the project have already agreed to be relocated to a housing project in Valenzuela City. Transport terminal
MMDA’s Fernando said they would start by next week the construction of the North Avenue phase of the North Transport Terminal (NTT), which is expected to decongest traffic on EDSA, from North Avenue to East Avenue.

The MMDA chief said development of the terminal at the corner of EDSA and North Avenue will start once a memorandum with property owner Ayala Land is signed.

The 10-million NTT for public transport is part of the Greater Manila Mass Transport System, a priority project of the President.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said it expects a 10 percent increase in the number of road users along seven major thoroughfares in the metropolis once they complete improvement work by early 2005.

Fernando said they would utilize a sizable amount of their budget, around P4.8 billion, to complete the improvement on seven roadways, namely: Road 10 in Tondo, McArthur Highway, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Marcos Highway in Marikina, C-5 Road, and EDSA.

"At present, only 30 percent of motorists utilize these seven roadways, but once we finish with the development, we expect more motorists to pass through these roads, or about 40 percent. Majority of the riding public do not use these roads because they engage in short-distance travel."

These thoroughfares are considered the connecting roadways to areas outside of the metropolis such as Antipolo, Rizal and Pampanga and the MMDA aims to speed up the movement of vehicles in and out of Metro Manila.

The MMDA pledges to construct footbridges, install street lights, create emergency bays, waiting sheds, pink urinals, fences along the center island to prevent pedestrians from crossing as well as implement flood control projects and sidewalk clearing operations.

Three-meter wide and five-meter long emergency bays would be situated near the center island so motorists that encounter engine trouble could park at these designated spots for a certain period of time without fear of their vehicles being towed. – Evelyn Macairan, Jose Rodel Clapano

Good that GMA is pushing them to do these projects. hopefully they will start with phase II of MRT 3 early 2005. And Northrail should really get their act going now.

Work on North Rail project to start soon
Updated 02:23am (Mla time) Sept 05, 2004
By Juliet Labog-Javellana | Inquirer News Service

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants work on the North Rail project to start now. She personally gave the marching orders to Northrail president Jose Cortez Jr. yesterday, just 10 hours after she returned from her state visit to China, which is funding the commuter train project.

Ms Arroyo expressed irritation that Northrail was dragging its feet on the construction of the Metro Manila-to-Clark (Pampanga) commuter train system even after China had released the $400-million funding for the first phase, which would run up to Malolos City in Bulacan province.

Also during yesterday's pulong bayan (town hall meeting), held at the Light Rail Transit 2 (Santolan-Recto) station in Cubao, Quezon City, the President announced a new acronym for her "10-point legacy" -- "BEAT THE ODS" -- each letter of which stands for each of her 10 programs in her six-year term.

Building transportation and communication linkages being one of her programs, she tackled the transportation projects in the pulong bayan where she was joined by Vice President Noli de Castro, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Public Works Secretary Florante Soriquez, Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando, Senator Manuel Roxas II and other officials.

Ms Arroyo said she secured funding for the North Rail project during her visit to China. She said that the Chinese government had released the $400 million for the first phase and that the Chinese Eximbank had approved in principle the funding of both the second phase and its feasibility study.

"Since the $400 million has been released, construction can now begin," she said.

When told that construction would begin next month, the President frowned and said: "I don't understand why there has to be some delay. Why can't we start now? Ideally, if I would have my way, we should have held our pulong bayan there."

She asked for Cortez, who was then having coffee somewhere on the LRT 2 platform, and told him: "Can you now start the North Rail because China has released the $400 million?"

Cortez said the Chinese group would arrive sometime this month but that the relocation of squatters along the North Rail route was the one factor causing the delay.

Vice President De Castro, the newly appointed housing czar, butted in at this point and said the National Housing Authority had removed the squatters in the North Rail area in Caloocan City.

"We cleared Caloocan. All we have to do is to guard [the place]," he said.

But Ms Arroyo said: "Instead of guarding, construct now in areas that have been cleared. Otherwise, [the squatters] will come back."

P1B per km

The President defended the North Rail project from criticism that it was overpriced. Reports had said that it would be the most expensive rail project at P1 billion per kilometer.

"I read something in the newspapers, maybe it came from the losing bidder," she said. "Anyway, I read that the North Rail was allegedly overpriced, so let's have it answered by Romy Neri."

National Economic and Development Authority chair Romulo Neri proceeded to explain.

He said the North Rail project was initially pegged at P1.06 billion for the first 40 km under a Spanish-Japanese conglomerate but that this did not push through because the price was high and the Japanese financiers wanted half the number of squatters in the area removed before they would even come in.

"So nothing happened. Then the Chinese proposal came, [wherein] for only P500 million we can build a 33-km line to Malolos," he said. But he did not say how much the rest of the route would cost.

B is for budget

Before the pulong bayan ended, Ms Arroyo was asked by program host Giselle Sanchez what the acronym "BEAT THE ODS" meant.

She said it stood for the 10 priority programs that she wanted to implement during her six-year term and that she mentioned during her inaugural speech last June 30: "B -- Balanced budget, E -- Education for all, A -- Automated elections, T -- Transport infrastructure, T -- Terminate NPA and MILF hostilities, H -- Heal the wounds of EDSA 1, 2 and 3, E -- Electricity for all, O -- Opportunities for livelihood and jobs, D -- Decongestion of Metro Manila, and S -- Subic and Clark alliance."
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yeah... I think with GMA's harsh and constant nagging, the MRT-3 Phase II and Northrail Phase I will finally be implented within half a year. I just hope that these and any other projects they gov't is pushing for do not get caught up in corruption. hopefully, they turn out as well as the megatren has... truly a model project - if there is such thing - that all the rest should come out as...

i wonder if they builders of Blue Line have learned anything from the mess-up that is the MRT Line 3.sure hope it won't be on-grade anymore, the line.

Yeah. On-grade really wastes space. It also doesnt look as nice.

Good, they should start Northrail now! Too bad the Spanish-Japanese conglomerate are gone. They were the ones proposing the MCRRS (Manila-Clark Rapid Rail System). Oh well, at least the Chinese proposal can still be upgraded later.

hei, was there supposed to be a spanish-japanese group who bidded on the project? i like the spanish architects & engineers too, aside from the germans, the calatrava olympic stadium in athens was named after santiago calatrava, a spanish. & if u go to madrid, u wil b amazed to see that their new subways are well-planned w/ matching paintings & chandeliers on the main looby, astig!!!

i hope that the MRT management would wake up and get additional cars to the trains.. the current 3 car trains are not enough to handle the volume of people riding the MRT.. i think the pros far outweigh the cons.. dont u agree?

definitely.... I don't see the point in making tipid the trains...

they're cost-cutting in the areas most needed by passengers.

maybe they're waiting for the opening of the Megatren's Recto Terminal to see if it'll lessen the load on the MRT-3. cuz most people have to take the Metrostar all the way down to the end station just to transfer lines. If the Recto Terminal can interconnect Lines 1, 2 and 3, then some people could reroute and go through the Araneta-Cubao Station and vice versa. also, once the final three stations of the MRT-3 are built, they could also transfer at the northern end. that'll spread and even out the traffic on the MRTs - most especially on the EDSA line, which caters to destinations of most riders. i'm just guessing. but now it seems like the people who planned the MRT network decades back were pretty good.

MRT3 is the backbone of the transit system.... I dont see the point in having les capacity

yeahh... I agree... well... maybe... they don't have enough trains yet.. and are planning to buy new ones.... but they should add trains soon... 'coz the ridership is swelling exponentially....

plus... the MRT are very badly maintained... the elevators looked like 10yrs old already... and other facilities like the restrooms are dirty...

thats why LRTA should take over...hehehe;)

I hope they do add more train cars...right now it is 3 per train, they should make it 4. They should be able to do so, they have lots of passengers and revenue from advertising inside and outside the trains.

i guess all the stations can accomodate the extra train.. i hope the management would wake up and realize the need to give the passengers more comfort and value for their money..

yeah, thats right. Right now, the trains dont go all the way across the stations. The stations can definitely accomodate 4 trains cars.

that line has deteriorated so fast that you might think it was built around the same time as Line 1, which is getting a good dose of maintenance. too bad it doesn't have the space Line 3 has...

oh btw, one question, why was Line 3 finished first before Line 2? what was the full history?

Probably because LRTA already got the contract for line 2 while MRT got the contract for line 3. And they were able to start first. i dont know the details.

last time i heard, LRT2 was started earlier than MRT3 construction. MRT3 finished earlier due to

a) private sector work (you know how slow gov't is)
b) right-of-way problems of LRT2 which took months to solve

hmmm...federal could be right. I was just guessing:lol:

well it could have been earlier, but the results definately show which is the better line :D

All discussion about MM's Metro rail network to be continued here. How about a full listing of all the line's status to get us started...

LRT 1 - Completed and operational since 1985
MRT 2 - Completed and operational since 2004
MRT 3 - Completed and operational since 1999
MRT 4 - Proposed, still at design stages
MRT 5 - Proposed
MRT 6 - Proposed extention of LRT 1
MRT 7 - Proposed, construction said to start next year
MRT 8 - Proposed
Subway line - Proposed, design and route still unknown.

To go to the original MRT/LRT thread click here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=96027

so... there is a proposed subway for Manila?... hmm... I don't think we afford it yet and if we have.. this should run somewhere outside the city of Manila and CAMANAVA area... we don't want to get this flooded...:D

but then I hope we do have one... above ground rail transits are quite eye sores...

Well earlier reports and maps showed it going from NAIA to BGC and then branching out from BGC. One section goes to Makati and then Binondo while the other section goes to Ortigas, Greenhills and then to Binondo...Hope they will build this.

an all-underground line shouldn't be built unless it is needed. LRT Line 2 and the Singapore MRT are good examples.

is this the same with the 'Metro' line? I've seen a map with these metro line so I'm not sure if those would be subways or just like the European trams,..

I read recently that the Makati City government is contemplating putting up a monorail system. I'm pretty sure they can afford it. I guess Binay has already made kurakot to his satisfaction and is starting to think about his legacy.

hmm.... a monorail system within the Makati CBD is a nice idea... and would probably ease out some pedestrian traffic... plus maybe connect the MRT Ayala station to the whole CBD.. and I hope a connection to BGC would help...:D

yes... pero i heard before the plan was a subway from buendia MRT Blue line to Ayala MRT Blue line via the whole stretch of Buendia....

But this monorail would look great!@!!!! KL!!!!

i had heard those underground walkways were platforms for creating an underground line through Ayala avenue.

oh, so yung subway line na lang inaantay.... a prelude? hehe

i think that would be last in line for gov't;) unless of course a private sector backer, like Line 7 for SM, comes up.

I read in the inquirer that GMA wants to start ALL the lines within her term. I'm seriously doubting if it can be done, though :)

as if we have the CASH to finance them.... we may have to starve 40million Filipinos to finance all of them....

i had heard those underground walkways were platforms for creating an underground line through Ayala avenue.

Yup! I told you that:) I cant remember the details though:D

A Monorail within makati and to BGC would be awesome. It doesnt need to be heavy rail, and a Monorail is beautiful. Hope Binay keeps his word. Makati does have enough money for sure...

Massive Luzon railway projects to cost at least $5B
Updated 08:36am (Mla time) Sept 14, 2004
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. | Inquirer News Service


PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's massive railway infrastructure development projects in Metro Manila and Northern and Southern Luzon are expected to drag the country deeper into debt by at least $5 billion.

Based on the Department of Transportation and Communication's status report on the railway projects (a copy was obtained by the Inquirer), at least six urban railway projects in Metro Manila and two railroad projects for the rest of Luzon -- North Rail and South Rail -- are under evaluation or have been approved or endorsed for approval by Ms Arroyo under her Strong Republic Transit System.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, in an interview last week, said that these projects would be funded from the official development assistance (ODA) and private loans all guaranteed by the national government.

Neri said the government had no choice but to undertake these railroad projects, despite the fiscal crisis, because these were sorely needed by the economy.

The six urban railway projects and their targeted implementation date are the $200-million EDSA-MRT extension (2005), $958-million MRT 4 from Old Bilibid prison in Manila to Batasan in Quezon City (2005), $842.87-million Light Rail Transit 1 southern extension (2006), $204-million LRT 2 Masinag extension (2006), $1.428-billion MRT 7 from the Malinta exit of the North Luzon Expressway to Fairview to North Avenue in Quezon City (2007), and MRT 8 from Sta. Mesa, Manila to Angono, Rizal (2008).

The two major railroad projects for Luzon are the $503-million North Rail project from Caloocan to Malolos, Bulacan (2004) and the $64-million South Rail (2005).

The railroad projects are expected to cost much higher since planners pegged the foreign exchange rate at P53 to $1.

Ms Arroyo is aggressively pushing for the implementation of these railroad projects although she admitted that the government's fiscal crisis was brought about by mounting payments on loans incurred by government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), specifically the National Power Corp.

In one of her weekly Pulong Bayan (town hall meetings) late last month, the President ordered her officials to rush the implementation of these projects, specifically North Rail, that were needed to decongest Metro Manila and spread economic wealth to other provinces in Luzon.

Philippine Exporters Confederation president Sergio Ortiz-Luis said that while he believed the railroad projects should be treated as an investment rather than an expense, the government should take extra care in choosing the best financing terms, technology and ensuring these projects' viability with the least government support.
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I would never complain about how much these projects cost. the only thing I'd complain about is when they turn out all shitty like the MRT-3 did...! haha... i seriously doubt they can get many of these done on schedule though. but luckily they will. especially since GMA probably wants them all done before the end of her term in 2010. hahaha... we're gonna be going faster than Vancouver and we don't even have the olympic games to host. hehe...!

well... I hope all of these pushes through for this would be a great investment.... something that will provide venue for growth in the rest of the country.... transportation is a great factor in our economy... so I support this... but I hope they would go into deals that is for the benefit of the people and not of the negotiators....

The six urban railway projects and their targeted implementation date are the $200-million EDSA-MRT extension (2005), $958-million MRT 4 from Old Bilibid prison in Manila to Batasan in Quezon City (2005), $842.87-million Light Rail Transit 1 southern extension (2006), $204-million LRT 2 Masinag extension (2006), $1.428-billion MRT 7 from the Malinta exit of the North Luzon Expressway to Fairview to North Avenue in Quezon City (2007), and MRT 8 from Sta. Mesa, Manila to Angono, Rizal (2008).

The two major railroad projects for Luzon are the $503-million North Rail project from Caloocan to Malolos, Bulacan (2004) and the $64-million South Rail (2005).

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: AWESOME!

I agree with the govt. Despite fiscal crisis, they should spend this much for infrastructure such as this as it will help the economy in several ways. One, it will boost infrastructure to attract investors. Two, the govt spending will help GDP grow. Three, consumer confidence could increase due to good economic prospects. Four, it will increase productivity of Filipinos and firms operating in the Philippines driving up the economy further.

Hopefully they will all be built with a high level of modernity and quality. They should not compromise these for cost cutting. Otherwise, it will help make MM a world class city in terms of urban transport. These dates are quite ambitious but the can be done. GO FOR IT GMA!!:okay:

LRT1 Extension Expected to Start Construction by 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin, September 15, 2004
Author: L. B. Valencia - PNA


The Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT) extension from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite will start by 2005, if nobody will challenge the $800-million initial bid made by Canadian firm SNC Lavalin International, Inc.

LRT Administration (LRTA) chief Pacifico M. Fajardo said the project which has been stalled for the last five years, can be completed between 2008 and 2010 if it will start next year.

The 12-km extension of LRT extends from Baclaran to Bacoor and later, further down to Imus and Dasmariñas, Cavite. At present LRT 1 runs from Monumento in Caloocan up to Baclaran.

"Hopefully, we can finish the Swiss challenge before the end of the year or early next year, then the other bidders have 60 days to challenge. If nobody contests the bid, the project can start in the first quarter of next year," Fajardo said.

He added that "SNC said it already has the financing needed for the project."

In a Swiss challenge, other bidders will be given a chance to submit their offers for the project. The original proponent, which is the SNC Lavalin in the case of LRT 1, will have the right to match the best offer from among the other bidders.

Fajardo noted that the Swiss challenge is better because it is more transparent. "The Swiss challenge is very critical because it will be the basis of other biddings for future train projects," he said.

According to Fajardo, LRTA studies were ongoing to determine the plan for the extension project.

LRTA has paid $5 million for a study on the project. The money was raised through ticket sales and a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

On the other hand, the International Finance Corporation gave a $650,000 grant to add to LRTA's $100,000 for a parallel study on the Swiss challenge for the project.

The project is divided into three phases. Phase I is a fully elevated guideway along the coast line from the Baclaran station passing through Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor (12 kilometers) in Cavite.

Phase II extends the line by 11 kilometers southwards to Imus. Subject to availability of financing and right-of-way, it may be implemented in conjunction with Phase I.

Phase III extends the line 11 kilometers southwards to Dasmariñas. It has 10 passenger station for an average station spacing 1.2 kilometers and has satelite depot in Cavite.

The key features of the integrated system plan are as follows: Interconnectivity to the existing LRT I at Baclaran station to form a continuous line and transport more people; compatible technology to the existing LRT I to permit through running of trains; integrated fare collection system with ticket commonality for seamless travel; inter-modal facilities at all major stations; operation and maintenance of the system by a single operation authority.
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wow! they have such huge plans for this line!!! I previously only heard about phase one of the extension. I never knew there were still two more 11-km stretches to be added. that'll bring the single line up to 49-km! awesome...!!! will they still be pushing through with the branching out of a part of the line splitting up towards NAIA?

if all of these proposed lines are pushed forward, we would have an extremely extensive, complex MRT and railway system in Mega Manila!! totally phases out other forms of transpo such as the jeeps and buses...! maybe even reducing the need for cars!!

ok, so it will have the NAIA station. according to this article on INQ7Money titled "IFC to help raise $800M in investments in LRT extension (http://money.inq7.net/topstories/view_topstories.php?yyyy=2004&mon=09&dd=16&file=5)".

The project is to extend the present 15-kilometer LRT Line 1 by 12 kilometers southwards from the station in the Baclaran area of Parañaque City. It will include adding a station at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and nine others.

Cool!... I hope everything goes well....

i really really hope everything works out well.. it would be as everybody said a great investment and boost to our economy... but the only downside i see would be the cost of the trains.. i read in the PDI that the fare might go uop and reach on average P45.. that would discourage alot of the train riding public..

... but the only downside i see would be the cost of the trains.. i read in the PDI that the fare might go uop and reach on average P45.. that would discourage alot of the train riding public..
average of PhP45? whow! expensive.

that's too expensive!!!

there should be a flat rate after 3 stations imo. like 20 pesos. and 15 for the first three.

MRT3 had high fare rates when it had its opening during Erap's time. And rates are same for all station. So people were discouraged to patronize the new rail transit. That made it lower the rates and make it different on each station.

:okay: All the recent news on MRT/LRT lines have been exciting:) Hope SNC Lavalin will make a good line. All these extensive transport lines will reduce the need of buses and jeepneys but i doubt it will lessen the number of private cars. Its all good anyways...The airport station should be really modern as it is needed for light travellers.

Had this been posted before?

LRT Line 1 South Extension Map
http://www.geocities.com/aaron_charles_ofngol/line_sth_ext_map.txt

Yeah it has...in the original thread.;)

but according to that map, the airport station is quite far from the actual airport terminals...They should build it right by the terminals.

wow, cant wait till the lrt 1 is finished....

Yeah it has...in the original thread.;)

but according to that map, the airport station is quite far from the actual airport terminals...They should build it right by the terminals.

or maybe they can build a link from that MIA station going to the airport. :)

Why dont they just go directly to the airport?:D Or maybe they will have shuttle buses going from the station to the airport. And seems to me that its going to cater T1 and T2, as its nearer to those terminals. How about when T3 opens? They should also consider that.

or maybe a subway link directly under the middle of the airport and it connects to the three terminals... that would be awesome!

well, there are lots of possibilities. we just have to wait for the final plan. hehehe... and don't forget to cross your fingers ... :lol:

yeah... I hope the final plans would really put the airport stations adjacent to the airport....

yep, it should have been nearer.

btw, those trains in the photo don't look like the trains Yellow Line has now

MRT-3 pics. not sure if they've been posted here.
http://www.tayam.net/images/GlimpseOfManilaDSC00337.JPG
http://www.tayam.net/images/GlimpseOfManilaDSC00336.JPG


they're quite dated, but i dunno if there has been any change.

any change to the rail system?... hmmm... nope... it still looks the same... except that on Ayala station, multiply the number of passengers on the platform to 5 at present.... there are more riders now... and at rush hour, every 2 minutes passengers are doubles in number....:D hehehehe... there are times that two-three-four trains has already passed on opposite side of the station before a train arrives....

its good to hear more & more people are patronizing the idea of commuting via metro trains, most city bus operators in fact are already complaining of getting fewer & fewer passengers coz most of them have shifted to lrt's that are cheaper, faster, , & safer... & lately, they were now forced to lower the minimum fare from 9 to P7.50 or about 12 cents, thats for the aircon bus, of course, ordinary buses' offer lower. alot of reforms however still has to be addressed:(in the transport sector)

1 more metro trains
2 phase-out the antiquated jeepneys
3 colorum fx taxis & some buses
4 trycicles- duh!!!
5 pedicabs- my god, can't most of us learn how to walk???
6 taxis w/ broken doors & locks
7 corruption & fixers in the LTO

are you saying we should phase-out the jeepneys that are antiquated? or all jeepneys because they're all antiquated?

we can't phase out jeepneys totally. they serve some routes where buses can't (e.g. buendia in makati)...and don't forget, jeepney is one of our trademarks. we just have to do something on fuel efficiency so as to reduce gas emissions. diesel has not been a good energy source for these jeepneys. what about following thailand's move of shifting to the use of gasohol (ethanol + gasoline) and gradually to ethanol alone...anyway, im going off topic now.

nah dont worry man, it's still on topic:D

jeepneys can be phased-out, but imo it will be met by VERY HEAVY opposition. i think engine-changes for all jeepneys can be done, but not at the moment. those things aren't necessary at the moment

putting an a/c for some jeepneys is a good move for one. they just have to put their machines on good shape, then pollution can be addressed somehow.

maybe on some jeepneys. in some routes, having open air jeepneys is cool, like Roxas blvd. not so cool in other areas of Manila though:D

Probably, NGV or Biodiesel jeepney would be okay but NGV jeepney require Daily lubircation in the cylinder valves to prevent the cracks on the valves.

Ang dilim dilim pala ng mga stations, ganyan pala ka pangit ang MRT 3? Di ba nila pwedeng paliwanagin at pagandahin yan?

well many MRT3 stations are poorly lit... and a little dull.....

I guess.. the jeepneys cannot or shouldn't be removed from the streets of Manila... it is a symbol of the Philippines and it does serve many areas...

I think what can be done is remove those older jeepneys, those smoke belching 2nd hand, deteriorated Japanese and Korean buses on EDSA.... and of course more LRTs, specially those heading the University Belt and CBD areas....

regarding the lowering of fare for buses.... its just for 1 week.. they're doing a fare holiday....

imo, they should phase out jeepneys in Makati and other major areas. Only have jeepneys were no other mass transpo can go through. Otherwise, replace them with MRTs and subways, possibly busses. If not, they should replace the diesel fuel of the jeepneys to natural gas, or something along those lines.

In reality, the MRT stations are not a dark as the ones renell posted. Somehow, the picture just made it darker than it is. But yeah, the subway Katipunan line 2 station is better lit than the Ayala and Buendia stations of line 3.

it's probably a photo-illusion. the guy maybe used flash.

yeah..thats right.

i had a joyride via LRT 2 yesterday. my first time. well...i should say it puts MRT 3 to shame. the stations are nice. i suppose all stations are. you can tranfer from one train to the other (of opposite route) without actually swiping your card. stations are well lit, tho some part are still u/c. and they look hi-tech. and the train itself is nice. the station at Araneta is probably the best one.

its really nice, it feels like ur riding in a HK or japan subway, ganda!! :lol:

i'd say it can match Singapore's MRT...:D great line... I hope the new ones would be like MRT2

i'd say it can match Singapore's MRT...:D great line... I hope the new ones would be like MRT2

yeah. I'd say that it matches it and beats it, even!:D

MRT-LRT1 loop link to be opened for bids

By RODERICK T. DE LA CRUZ
TODAY Reporter


After the failure of the Fil-Estate-led consortium to finish the second phase of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) on EDSA, the government would open for public bidding the construction of the unfinished 5.12-km stretch that would form a train loop around Metro Manila.


The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced on Monday that it conferred a “national priority” status on the project to expedite the completion of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 and MRT Line 3 Loop.


In his letter to Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA director general Romulo L. Neri said that with the declaration, the project would proceed under a solicited mode.


In an interview, Neri said that under the solicited mode, the project would be opened for public bidding and that the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) would be stripped of its right to construct the remaining section of MRT Line 3.


This means that any party can participate in the bidding for the right to construct the unfinished section of the loop, another NEDA official said.


At present, the MRT-3, built and operated by MRTC, runs 16.9 km from North Avenue to Baclaran in Pasay City. The LRT Line 1, on the other hand, runs 14.5 km from Baclaran to Monumento.


MRTC is a consortium composed of Fil-Estate, Ayala Land Inc., Anglo-Philippine Holdings, Ramcar Greenfield Development, Allante Realty and DBH Inc.


Under Republic Act 6957 or the Built-Operate-Transfer Law, as amended by RA 7718, projects may only proceed through a solicited mode if proposals originate from the implementing agencies, or in this case from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).


In contrast, proposed projects under unsolicited mode are submitted by private sector proponents to the implementing agencies, which evaluate and endorse the proposals to the appropriate approving bodies.


Librado F. Quitoriano, officer in charge of NEDA’s Infrastructure Staff, said conferring a “national priority” status on the proposed completion of LRT 1-MRT 3 loop makes it a priority undertaking of the DOTC and a part of President Arroyo’s 10-point agenda.


The completion of the train loop requires the construction of a five-kilometer stretch from North Avenue in Quezon City to Monumento in Caloocan City.“The riding public would greatly benefit from the project, which is also expected to decongest the whole of Metro Manila,” Quitoriano said.


Quitoriano expressed hope that the project could push through as soon as possible, since a reliable transportation network is one of President Arroyo’s 10-point development agenda.


“It will not only decongest Metro Manila; it will also help facilitate the implementation of housing projects and the development of new centers for government, business and housing within the area,” he said.


The completion of the five-kilometer stretch is expected to double the passengers of MRT Line 3 from 350,000 to 600,000 daily.

that's good news. maybe we'll see a different look in the final stretch of MRT3. or is it possible that it will be LRT1 that will be extended to north edsa?

LRT-MRT link is national priority — NEDA
By Ted P. Torres
The Philippine Star 09/21/2004

The Interagency Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) of the NEDA Board classified as "national priority" the proposed closing, or linking, of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Loop.

"Although the undertaking is now considered a national priority project, we need to wait for the DOTC to submit a proposal before any evaluation by the ICC can commence," Librado F. Quitoriano, officer-in-charge of the Infrastructure Staff, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said in a statement.

The NEDA is the lead agency of the ICC.

The link would involve the connection between the existing Monumento station of the LRT Line 1 and the North Avenue station of MRT Line 3.

The existing LRT Line 1 runs from Baclaran in the south to Monumento in the north traversing Taft and Rizal Avenues for a total length of 14.5 kilometers covering 18 stations.

MRT 3, Phase 1, on the other hand, traverses EDSA from Taft Avenue in the south to the EDSA North Avenue intersection in the north for a total length of 16.9 kilometers covering 13 stations.

This would put in operation a loop transit network for a seamless interface connection with other LRT/MRT systems and other modes of transport.

"The riding public would greatly benefit from the project, which is also expected to decongest the whole of Metro Manila," Quitoriano added.

The closing of the loop would proceed under a built-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme through a solicited mode.

This complies with the provisions of the BOT Law, or Republic Act 6957 as amended by RA 7718, and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which states, among others, that projects to be implemented under a BOT scheme or variant may only proceed through a solicited mode.

BOT proposals that proceed under solicited mode are proposals that originate from the implementing agencies, which is the DOTC for this case.

On the other hand, BOT projects under unsolicited mode originate from private sector proponents, where proposals are submitted to the implementing agency, which then evaluate and endorse the proposal to the appropriate approving body.

The NEDA official expressed hope that the project could push through as soon as possible, noting that the decentralization of progress around the nation through the development of a reliable transportation network is one of President Arroyo’s 10-point development agenda.

"It will not only decongest Metro Manila, it will also help facilitate the implementation of housing projects and the development of new centers for government, business, and housing within the area," the NEDA official said.

hope that the project would push through. :)

GMA has prioritised the expansion of MRT/LRT lines. so that's really good for everyone, not just us urban forumers:D

yup..yup:) good that she is really doing something now that she doesnt have to worry about politics and re-election.

good news :D hope we will actually 'see' that they're doing it =)

yup..yup:) good that she is really doing something now that she doesnt have to worry about politics and re-election.

yeah that's true. let's hope her promises become reality, or at least most of it, during her 6 year term

but we must also remember that it's up to us if these visions are gonna be set into reality. we just have to support our leaders and stop the "too-much-annoying" politics. if we people are gonna complain (which is not really bad) or do another protests or anything, at they they should prepared precise solutions, not those teeny-mumbles and stupid suggestions that we're sometimes proposing. otherwise, we just shut up.

http://www.lrta.gov.ph/images/srts%20map.jpg

that caloocan link would be really far apart. how could that possibly happen?

how far apart? they could have a walkway connecting it..

i realized that Katipunan station of LRT2 is underground. so if you want to have a feel of a subway, go to katipunan station. the station is fully airconditioned, bec everything is undeground, unlike Ayala Station which have some parts open for ventilation. the only bad thing about LRT2 is their not having restrooms in every station.

does every MRT3 station have a restroom?

not every subway doesn't really need to have a restroom. at least the minor ones.

Every MRT station has a restroom.

About that LRT2, which stations have restrooms? I don't know of any.

MRT blue line stations have no water... they have big drums...

now that is sad. so the structures have no pipes running through them? talk about crap buildings

they have pipes.... water pressure is so low... or non-existent at times.

some MRT stations have running water. but not all and not all the time.
LRT has no restroom anywhere. i think no station got any CR.

ohh.. that Caloocan link is quite far.. at least a kilometer away from Monumento... at first I thought that the Caloocan link would be at monumento where the MRT and LRT meets...

anyways... any news if the Bonifacio Monument's transfer from Monumento to Tala is a go? since the MRT expansion's plan seems to go further... I heard before that they will move the monument to give way for the MRT.... but I hope they won't do this... just make that last station go underground....

The Bonifacio Monument mustn't be moved. It's been there forever and it's a historic site. The government must find another way of building the MRT to complete the loop. A reroute or underground, but not through the monument's current location.

what?, lrt2 have got no toilets?? thats gross!!! i once had ridden there but i failed to notice it..tsk..tsk...its a must have, i mean a standard on todays metros..bat ganon??

mrt3 realy sucks!! theyre rest rooms are badly maintained, specially on crowded stations like taft & north ave., u can just imagine....

on the issue of boni removal, i dont know, im 50/50 open to the idea. yes, the engineers know how to fix those mess & make monumento station underground, that could be the best proposal but do we have the money?? what if we relocate boni's monument, we could have lost the historical value of the place, but at least we may have transferred him on a tranquil place that boni deserves best. just pass by monumento, & maaawa ka talaga sa conditon nya don, & govt & buss craps in reality eversince dont give a damn on culture & history in exchange of eco devt., oh well, i still dont know... :ohno:

well... currently Monumento area is bit looking better than past years... the surrounding businesses are changing their looks... that block doesn't look very much crappy anymore....

anyways... the proposed new site of the Bonifacio monument would be in Tala, North Caloocan.. anybody knows the place?... well it is in the sub-urb area of Caloocan, past the La Mesa Dam and a few kilometers away from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan... moving this monument may give life to the new area.. or put the monument in forgotten history.... the Tala area where the Tala Leprosarium is situated is mainly a residential hub with narrow streets with trees and farm lands...

for me.. being a citizen of Caloocan wouldn't like to have the monument moved. Moving the monument would also cost a lot for the city... specially that it will be moved in parts and not as a whole...

what?, lrt2 have got no toilets?? thats gross!!! i once had ridden there but i failed to notice it..tsk..tsk...its a must have, i mean a standard on todays metros..bat ganon??

mrt3 realy sucks!! theyre rest rooms are badly maintained, specially on crowded stations like taft & north ave., u can just imagine....

on the issue of boni removal, i dont know, im 50/50 open to the idea. yes, the engineers know how to fix those mess & make monumento station underground, that could be the best proposal but do we have the money?? what if we relocate boni's monument, we could have lost the historical value of the place, but at least we may have transferred him on a tranquil place that boni deserves best. just pass by monumento, & maaawa ka talaga sa conditon nya don, & govt & buss craps in reality eversince dont give a damn on culture & history in exchange of eco devt., oh well, i still dont know... :ohno:

if it's a relatively small station, you don't need toilets. it's just a platform, rail tracks, ticketing booths and machines, turnstiles. it's not as gross compared to having a toilet, and having no running water. i'd rather not have a toilet in that station, and go find a fast-food restaurant or a mall.

to pinoy forumers overseas, does your cities' MRT have a toilet in every station you've stopped at?

when I was in Singapore and in Los Angeles, I didn't notice any toilet in their stations too... well I think its because stations are more for transit passengers who stays on the station until the next train and not for bystanders....

when I was in Singapore and in Los Angeles, I didn't notice any toilet in their stations too... well I think its because stations are more for transit passengers who stays on the station until the next train and not for bystanders....


exactly. it's not necessary. well maybe it is for some people:D unless we're talking about one huge stop here with three lines serving it, then we'll probably need a toilet.

There are toilets in Singapore's MRT & LRT Stations...but they're not the old stinky types but rather, they have been upgraded numerous times both with cleaner and better facilities but also disabled ones...

yeah, i agree its not really ncessary, but in a true sense, given the kind of settings we have here, where people easily gets dirty & tired due to heat & pollution, i think its a total convenience if they at least put up & maintain toilets on some big stations... its a big relief for us really...& these toilets are located inside that would exclusively just cater to the passengers, so walang bystanders...

hey, lrt2 could even afford to hire security guards to roam on each coach to assure the paseengers a total security, galing!!

i noticed din wala ng tellers sa mga stations, or at least in araneta & santolan, everyone has to buy their cards thru the numerous vending machine booths scattered around the stations. no foodcart vendors are allowed in or around the stations vicinity. eating is prohibited inside.

some stations still need to be upgraded w/ public telephones & other utilities,
lights, & escalators...;)

lrt2 i think follows the management of singapore mrt... with the ticket systems... unlike MRT and LRT1

if it's a relatively small station, you don't need toilets. it's just a platform, rail tracks, ticketing booths and machines, turnstiles. it's not as gross compared to having a toilet, and having no running water. i'd rather not have a toilet in that station, and go find a fast-food restaurant or a mall.

to pinoy forumers overseas, does your cities' MRT have a toilet in every station you've stopped at?

the stations on BKK's Skytrain didn't have any toilets when I went on them. and I'm pretty sure Vancouver's Skytrain doesn't have them either... i believe its more of an option. not a requirement to pass "world-class" standards. and, like renell said, I feel not having them was a good decision. the people who designed it knew how badly our public washrooms are maintained, and decided it would turn out to be worse for the stations... ala "panira"...

LRT2 doesn't have toilets for the public but maybe there's one for the staff of the stations only.

i think restrooms should be minimalised in future MRT/LRT stations to cost cut. that's why connecting it to big malls is a good idea ;) unless we want to experience having pay toilets :D actually that's a good idea, since it will be kept clean, using money by the people who actually use it

I don't believe the New York subway system has toilets. Or if they do, the vast majority of stations do not. The state of New York City public toilets, while not quite as bad as in the Philippines, is not very good either. I believe in the past they used to maintain them, but in the 70s and 80s the cost of keeping them clean grew too high.

LRT line helps blind 'see' their way

Updated 11:10pm (Mla time) Oct 02, 2004
By Tina Santos
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A23 of the October 3, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


TAKING her child to school every day from their house in España, Manila, used to be very difficult for Racquel Francisco, 29.

Francisco said her visually impaired daughter Maria Elena, 6, became cranky every time they got stuck in traffic on their way to the Resources for the Blind in Cubao, Quezon City, where the girl is now in kindergarten.

"We used to take the FX taxi and I felt sorry for her when she cried and became irritable because of the noise, heat and pollution," Francisco said of her only child.

Maria Elena, who stands less than three feet tall, is afflicted with microphthalmia, a condition wherein the eyes are abnormally small.

Not fully developed

"The doctor said her eyes did not fully develop during my pregnancy," the mother said, adding that the girl could still see through the haze but is expected to go totally blind when she reaches the age of 7.

"I don't want her disability to become a hindrance for her to get a good education.

That's why no matter how hard it for us to travel, I take her to school. But it's really difficult, given her condition," Francisco added.

Then came a blessing to both mother and child when Line 2 of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) became operational.

LRT Line 2, a 13.8-km elevated rail system that snakes through Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, San Juan and Manila, began operation in April 2003.

It traverses from its depot in Santolan in Pasig to Manila over Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Legarda and Recto Avenue.

Currently, it is servicing a growing number of passengers only up to Legarda but it is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.

President Macapagal-Arroyo has dubbed LRT 2 the Purple Line because of the bright violet and canary yellow colors on the lower edge of the train coaches.

Disabled-friendly

Recently, the Purple Line was awarded by the Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children (Pavic) as one of two handicapped-friendly transportation establishments.

The other awardee was bus company Victory Liner, which was recognized along with LRT 2 during the observance of the National White Cane Day.

White Cane Day is held in celebration of the independence of the blind from their handicap through the use of a white, folded metal cane.

"We find the facilities of LRT 2 very friendly to the disabled," said Linda Choy, an executive committee member of Pavic, a non-stock, non-profit organization formed in 1999 to provide a support system to blind or visually impaired children and their families.

One such feature of LRT 2 that makes life easier for the visually impaired are the Braille buttons on the controls of its glass-encased elevators.

Braille is a system of printing using raised dots which blind people can feel and read with their fingers.

Reseved for disabled

Her mother said Maria Elena, who has learned to use a cane, now knows how to operate the elevators, which are reserved for People with Disability (PWD), senior citizens and pregnant women.

Because of the innovation, traveling for Francisco and her daughter has become easier.

"She is more relaxed now," the doting mother added.

For Rico Domingo, a pastor, the yellow-colored Lego-like "pathfinding tactiles," which are standard in all 11 stations of the Purple Line, are the most helpful among the disabled-friendly facilities of LRT 2.

Domingo also regularly rides LRT 2 to accompany his daughter Trixie, 7, to the Philippine Normal University-Center for Teaching and Learning School where she is in Grade 2.

Like Maria Elena, Trixie is visually-impaired. She lost her sight after a bout with eye cancer when she was younger, her father said.

"Blind passengers are guided to the trains since the floor leading to the elevator and to the boarding platform are embossed," he noted.

Domingo added that the Public Address System which announces each next stop has also helped her daughter.

"The announcements keep her alert and she would tell me, 'O, Daddy, one more station pa,'" the father related.

One Tuesday afternoon, the Inquirer chanced upon Joseph David Sarmiento, 38, who was being assisted by his sister Melanie and an LRT 2 employee from the elevator, to the boarding platform, to the train.

Sarmiento has muscular dystrophy, a disease that has gradually weakened his muscles and has confined him in a wheelchair for the last 15 years.

LRT 2 has wheelchair ramps in all its stations and has spaces designated for PWDs who bring their own wheelchairs and mobility tools.

A pleasant surprise

Signs that say "Please vacate for the disabled and elderly" are conspicuous in certain areas of each of the 18, four-car coaches.

"I thought my nephew was just kidding when he told me that the LRT 2 has facilities designed specially for PWDs," Sarmiento said in Filipino.

"I was aware that there are railway systems equipped with elevators but I was told these were not functioning most of the time, so I just take the cab whenever I go out," he added.

"I rarely go out (because of my condition), only when it's very important or when I visit my brother in Pasig, just like now. He is sick," he explained.

According to LRTA administrator Pacifico Fajardo, the air-conditioned, computerized coaches, measuring 3.2 meters wide and 92.6 meters long, are more spacious than those of the earlier systems. It can accommodate up to 1,628 passengers, including the wheelchair-bound.

"These enable passengers with disabilities and those in wheelchairs to board and alight from the train without encountering any problem," he said.

Every coach has 20 sliding doors on each side to facilitate the quick and convenient boarding and alighting of passengers.

Fajardo also takes pride in saying that the Purple Line is at par with those in other parts of the world.

The mass railway system has also proven to be a cheaper mode of transportation these days.

Francisco said she was able to save money because she only paid P26 from Legarda to Cubao and back, compared to the P40 she used to spend when taking an FX taxi.

On top of that, she said her daughter gets to ride for free at the Purple Line since her height is below the level of the turnstile.

that's very updated article @ amras. ive read that on hard print, before i see you post that. it's worth reading anyway. they got real nice PWD elevators. it has glass panels. that only makes the stations more romantic. :D in my opinion!

New financing scheme for MRT-7 set
Posted: 5:02 PM | Oct. 10, 2004

Michelle V. Remo
Inquirer News Service

THE PROPONENT of Line 7 of the Metro Railway Transit (MRT-7) system, which will connect North Edsa and Bulacan, has come up with an improved financial design for the project after the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) asked for a proposal that will not require financing from the cash-strapped government.

Universal LRT Corp., the private-sector consortium acting as proponent of the MRT-7 and which is headed by former finance secretary Roberto de Ocampo, has submitted its revised proposal to the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Neda Director General Romulo Neri said his office was waiting for the DOTC to submit the proposal to the Neda for evaluation. He added that Neda was hopeful the improved proposal would fully meet the requirements of the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) to make some progress in the MRT-7 project, which is one of the major infrastructure-development priorities of the Arroyo administration.

Under the original financial design of the MRT-7, the government will be required to shoulder about P100 million a year in the first nine years of the mass transport system's operations because revenue from ridership will initially be insufficient to cover for its expenditure requirements.

The original proposal also stated that MRT-7 will pay the government for its advances starting the 10th year of its operation. The consortium will be the one responsible to build, operate and maintain the MRT-7 for 25 years, after which it will be transferred to the national government. The proposal also said that the consortium will be the one to look for financing for the project, which is estimated at $1.2 billion (not $600 million as earlier reported).

Neda said the ICC, which is responsible for approving government projects, gave a first-pass approval of the MRT-7 project last March because it recognized the economic benefits of the project. The ICC, however, requested an improved financial design so that the government would not be financially burdened.

Neri earlier said the Neda-ICC asked the consortium to improve the project's financial design in such a way that it will not have to incur deficits, and therefore no longer require the government to provide financing.

"We were told that the revised proposal submitted to the DOTC is already deficit neutral, and so we are looking forward to evaluate it," Neri said in a telephone interview.

"As soon as the improved proposal gets the approval of the ICC, then we expect that the construction of the project would start soon," Neri said. We expect the area connecting North Edsa and Bulacan to be heavily congested in the next couple of years, and so we want MRT-7 to prevent serious traffic," he added.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
good news... the MRT-7 has steadily been progressing over the last few months. I'm hoping they start construction before the end of next year. do they already have the system designed?

great news re. that article above. it seems like the disabled people in the philippines have been overly neglected for so long. nice to see some improvements. the MRT-2 is really a model government project that everything else should be patterned after.

ive read the whole article, but i can't fully comprehend it. ill read it again.

well it just said that a new financial program will be setup for MRT7....

hmmm.. i hope it pushes thru....

what's going on with the MRT lines? is the Megatren's Recto terminal open yet? haha... miss the Megatren and all the excitement and pride and everything... hahaha!!

why @ absent? wala ka ba sa Pinas? Recto is not yet open as of last month. so you have to get off at Legarda Station. But it's very nice. the stations are clean...and shall i say...romantic? it's really world class. hopefully, MRT 7 will be as hi-tech and nice as LRT2.

is Line 7 the SM-funded one?

every new line will be attempting to be as good, or better than Line 2.

why @ absent? wala ka ba sa Pinas? Recto is not yet open as of last month. so you have to get off at Legarda Station. But it's very nice. the stations are clean...and shall i say...romantic? it's really world class. hopefully, MRT 7 will be as hi-tech and nice as LRT2.

Yeah, that was the Katipunan station location they used for the KC Concepcion-Palmolive shampoo TV ad right?

And just a point of clarification: What happens to the threads that are dropped from the Philippine Forums line-up? Is this what you guys call 'pruning'? Are they archived, or are they gone for good?

why @ absent? wala ka ba sa Pinas? Recto is not yet open as of last month. so you have to get off at Legarda Station. But it's very nice. the stations are clean...and shall i say...romantic? it's really world class. hopefully, MRT 7 will be as hi-tech and nice as LRT2.

hahaha... no... nasa vancouver na ko ngayon, as much as i'd like to stay in MNL.

anyway, boybaha mentioned in the malls thread a new mall at Recto connecting the MRT-2 to LRT-1. what's it called? and by who? hope it turns out nice and works well as a connection.

Yeah, that was the Katipunan station location they used for the KC Concepcion-Palmolive shampoo TV ad right?

And just a point of clarification: What happens to the threads that are dropped from the Philippine Forums line-up? Is this what you guys call 'pruning'? Are they archived, or are they gone for good?

wow... another commercial with the MRT-2. Globe had this commercial a couple months back with a video of the Megatren coming into the Katipunan station as well, and some footage inside the train. but it was coupled with various videos of other areas too...

as for the threads, they're being archived and supposedly still accessible to us. but I haven't been able to find them. GreyX should know more... hehe...

The recent Mylanta Rolltabs Commercial also shows the Megatren in Katipunan station.
The setting of the commercial is not here in the Philippines but I was surprised to see that the subway scene was shot here in our LRT2 Katipunan station.

The Globe commercial was also shot in our LRT2 but Globe made appear like a subway abroad because it shows an OFW abroad texting someone in the Philippines.

The recent Mylanta Rolltabs Commercial also shows the Megatren in Katipunan station.
The setting of the commercial is not here in the Philippines but I was surprised to see that the subway scene was shot here in our LRT2 Katipunan station.

The Globe commercial was also shot in our LRT2 but Globe made appear like a subway abroad because it shows an OFW abroad texting someone in the Philippines.

Yeah the first time I rode LRT2 and it stopped at Katipunan, I felt surreal because it's like you've been transported somewhere else. The fact that the station is underground probably intensified that out-of-the-Pinas feeling.

yeah... when I first tried it... I said to myself... wow.. feels like singapore... hehehe... worth the experience hehehe....

all it needs are those sliding doors preventing people from falling in the rail tracks;)

i thought Araneta was by far the best LRT2 Station but a workmate who lives in Marikina told me that there's a subway station which is Katipunan so i went off to check it out, and yeah, it's really nice. since there's no way to ventilate it (like MRT Ayala and Buendia), the whole station is airconditioned. It's feels great to be there...hopefully they will put some benches on the platform. kakapagod tumayo. so people tend to just sit on the floor, which is relatively clean anyway. i have a photo of it on my phone and used it as wallpaper.

diba yung isang MTV ni Erik Santos sa LRT2 din shinoot?? hehehe

And just a point of clarification: What happens to the threads that are dropped from the Philippine Forums line-up? Is this what you guys call 'pruning'? Are they archived, or are they gone for good?

Those threads are in the archives. They are safe from pruning but many forumers say that they cant see the archives. I need to talk to an admin about that.

diba yung isang MTV ni Erik Santos sa LRT2 din shinoot?? hehehe

Yeah, the Santolan station. Ang ganda ng view doon, kita Eastwood, hayyy... if only pwedeng kumuha ng pictures sa LRT2.

/\ Why can't you take photos? What if you're a tourist and wants to take nice photos of your travels around the city. Is that even a legitimate city law or ordinance? Do you get thrown in jail for innocently taking photos of cityscapes?

errrr...you will be confronted by these security guys like what happened to me in Makati. But i was able to take shots in Buendia station. I asked the guard if i can shoot pics, he said no, so i never asked again, but i took pics anyway. Ortigas guys are more lenient.

same here.. I was taking pictures with my 2 kids at the buendia Station.. it's their first time to ride the MRT.. after about a dozen shots.. the security guard approached me and told me that taking pictures is not allowed. So I just said.. ahh ok.. then when we boarded the train.. I took another dozen shots! hahahahaha

hehehe. mga pasaway :colgate:

hahaah...pasaway talaga...pero mas pasaway ang mga guards. haha...
i know it's prohibited, but i play ignorant and keep on taking pics. hehe...i told them im not gonna take MRT pic, but skyline pics. eh bawal pa rin, o siya sige...pagtalikod...click! there!

Why can't you take photos? What if you're a tourist and wants to take nice photos of your travels around the city. Is that even a legitimate city law or ordinance? Do you get thrown in jail for innocently taking photos of cityscapes?

as far as i know... its for security reasons that's why theyre banning photographs taken in station premises... they fear that terrorists might get hold of these pictures and might use in planning the next attack...

There's no ordinance. You can't be thrown in jail just for taking pictures. I think it's all a matter of who blinks first. Guards have been given the instructions and as you very well know guards in the Philippines think of themselves as sort of having quasi-military powers and will intimidate you if they must.

MRT-7 group buys P1-B land in Bulacan
Clarissa S. Batino | Inquirer News Service
Posted: 1:52 AM | Oct. 27, 2004

UNIVERSAL LRT Corp., the proponent of Metro Rail Transit 7 project, said it signed Tuesday an agreement with The Manila Banking Corp. on the purchase of the latter's 193-hectare property in Bulacan province, north of Manila, for almost P1 billion.

Eli Levin, chief executive officer of Universal LRT said the consortium would develop the property into a $500-million real estate venture that would complement its proposed $1.2-billion railway project.

The MRT-7 consortium proposes to turn over 20 hectares of the property to the national government in phases to offset the $900-million, 15-year sovereign exposure that the government would have in the integrated transport project.

Levin said the group was negotiating to buy 200 hectares more, from which 35 hectares could be given to the government.

The Bulacan property was owned by the family of Greggy Araneta but was foreclosed by Manila Bank. The bank surrendered the property to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as loan payment.

Levin said Manila Bank repurchased the property from the central bank with the blessing of the Monetary Board.

Penta Capital signed the purchase agreement with Manila Bank in behalf of the consortium.

The MRT-7 consortium will pay the bank for the land over five years with annual interest of 6.5 percent.

"The purchase of the land shows the proponent's intent to make good its commitment to the government to create a buffer for its exposure and to provide an upside for the entire project," Levin said. With INQ7.net
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a $500M real estate venture sounds really big. that's like P23B. equivalent to NAIA-3, except its not an airport. I wonder what they're gonna develop this land into. huge, ultra-modern rail terminal station with mall and condo and transfer services...?

btw, any updates on the MRT-7/8/4?

Line 7 seems to be the only one making ground. the rest still isn't going that fast, or anywhere at all... thanks for the article

Where in Bulacan would this be?.... MRT7 will ply Commonwealth Ave right?... maybe it will be in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan to become a terminal.... but it is way too far from the line...

Superb! As renell said, MRT 7 seems to be the only one with lots of activity. Maybe Line 1 extention and MRT 4 have some discreet activity also, but at a slower pace.

SNC-Lavalin, i think have secured the deal for the Line One (LRT-6 i dunno why the hell they put a new number for it) and construction will start early next year.

And i hope SNC-Lavalin will do a good job at it. Its Canadian;) I agree, they should just keep it as part of line 1, not make it "line 6".

Superb! As renell said, MRT 7 seems to be the only one with lots of activity. Maybe Line 1 extention and MRT 4 have some discreet activity also, but at a slower pace.

Here's some info (http://www.botcenter.gov.ph/projects/PROJECTS4INVESTMENT9.htm)about the MRT 4 and Line 1 extension. :)

Thanks for that. Its pretty recent and has some other stuff too.:)

LRT Line 2 opens Recto route today

Updated 10:53pm (Mla time) Oct 28, 2004
By Clarissa Batino, Nancy Carvajal
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A23 of the October 29, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DIVISORIA is now closer to the shopping aficionado.

The usually one- to two-hour trip from Pasig City to Manila's bargain capital will now take only 20 to 30 minutes with the completion of Line 2 of the Light Rail Transit system or LRT-2.

President Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate today the line's Recto station, the last of the 11 stations of LRT-2 to be completed and set in operation.

More fondly called the Purple Line because of the purple line on the sides of its trains, LRT-2 runs from Santolan in Pasig City to Marikina, Quezon City, San Juan and C.M. Recto in Manila.

The 10,000-square meter Recto Station near the corner of Rizal Avenue will link LRT-2 with the Doroteo Jose Station of LRT-1. The older LRT-1 line runs from Baclaran in Para¤aque City to Monumento in Caloocan City.

"LRT-2 and LRT-1 will be connected by an elevated walkway,'' said Mel Robles, LRT Authority administrator.

Robles said the four-story train terminal was the biggest of
the mass rail stations. It has eight escalators and four glass-encased elevators with Braille for the visually impaired.

The ground floor, according to Robles, serves as the entry and exit areas for all, while the fourth which is the platform, serves as the arrival and departure area for the disabled.

The purple line consists of a 13.8-km elevated line from Santolan in Pasig City, westward to Recto in Manila via Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and Legarda.

Robles said they expect 120,000 passengers to take LRT-2 everyday.

To accommodate the influx of commuters, Robles said eight vending machines were installed in every station for faster and easier dispensing of tickets.

The administrator said three women were trained to drive the train to add distinction to the purple line.

The P32-billion project was funded in part by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

But while the latest modern transport system became fully operational, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 or MRT-3 was already showing signs of wear.

For the third straight day, MRT-3 suffered a stoppage in operations yesterday after a power problem caused an explosion near the Buendia station.

On Tuesday, a computer glitch stalled operations in all 13 stations at 9:45 a.m.

The problem caused the automatic gates at the Guadalupe and Buendia stations to malfunction and fail to open, preventing passengers from boarding the trains.

The incident caused heavy traffic along affected portions in Edsa.

On Wednesday, a northbound train carrying about 800 passengers stopped between Quezon Avenue and North Edsa stations at about 11 a.m. due to a power fluctuation.

MRT-3 spokesperson Mariano Gui said the incidents were isolated and were immediately addressed.

MRT-3 general manager Roberto Lastimoso said the breakdowns were not related to the railway's request for a P10 fare hike.

Yesterday, Gui said, a Pasay-bound train that had just left the Buendia station suffered a power trip that damaged the chopper motor-a power source near the driver.

Gui said operations resumed five minutes after the train was towed and its passengers transferred.
===========================================

Nice! :)

Looks like progress to me. :)

Regarding the DOTC's 6 year action plan (http://www.lrta.gov.ph/news/news_item_073104_DOTC6YrPlan.htm) , there is no mention of MRT-4 ...

"The Light Rail Transit (LRT) System is under the Railway Infrastructure Development program, which is the most familiar to commuters in the metropolis. Among the targets of the program is the completion of the LRT 2 (2004), the implementation of the LRT 1 Capacity Expansion Phase II (2002-2006), the construction of LRT 1 South Extension (2005-2008), the construction of the LRT 2 Masinag Extension (2006-2008), the construction of the LRT 3 Phase II project (2005-2007), the LRT 7 and 8 (2006-2009).

The program also entails the rehabilitation and construction of the North rail (2004-2007), which covers the Caloocan, Malolos, San Fernando, and Clark areas and the improvement of rail services to the south of Metro Manila such as the Manila South Commuter Railway (2007) from Manila to Calamba and Main Line South Rehabilitation (2005-2007) from Manila to Legaspi.

The Railway Infrastructure Development program provides necessary rail transport in other regions to support the decentralized development initiatives. An example of this would be the Panay Railway Rehabilitation, the Metro Cebu LRT, and Mindanao Railway System.

The government also aims to provide not only efficient rail services but convenient ticketing and transfer linkages for the commuters. Thus, the Unified Ticketing System is being implemented in all LRT stations and PNR Commuter System. Pedestrian links and transfer stations at railway interfaces are also being constructed to ensure that commuters are not exposed to road hazards as they alight from the terminals. So far, the SRTS has erected several of these linkages in Pasay, Cubao, Recto, Caloocan, Blumentritt, Sta. Mesa, and Magallanes..."

One more thing about the MRT-4, it's route (from the Old Bilibid property in Manila to Quirino Highway in Novaliches, will skirt along major roads such as España, Quezon, Commonwealth and Regalado avenues.) overlaps with MRT-7's (Marilao, Bulacan passing through Quirino and Commonwealth Avenues and ending at North Avenue, Quezon City), paano kaya gagawin nila dito???

A DTI-BOT center document (a link I pointed out above) dated Sept. 30, 2004, points out the status of the MRT-4 as...

"DOTC / MRT 4 Consortium to comply with NEDA requirements.(1.Updated cost and a revised implementation schedule for the project 2.Pertinent documents and information that would show that the subject project is deficit neutral 3.DOTC's resolution to the apparent overlap of a section of the subject project with the proposed MRT 7) "

Hopefully, they'll iron out the kinks soon.

LRT Line 2 opens Recto route today
Updated 10:53pm (Mla time) Oct 28, 2004

DIVISORIA is now closer to the shopping aficionado.

The usually one- to two-hour trip from Pasig City to Manila's bargain capital will now take only 20 to 30 minutes with the completion of Line 2 of the Light Rail Transit system or LRT-2.

President Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate today the line's Recto station, the last of the 11 stations of LRT-2 to be completed and set in operation.

More fondly called the Purple Line because of the purple line on the sides of its trains, LRT-2 runs from Santolan in Pasig City to Marikina, Quezon City, San Juan and C.M. Recto in Manila.

The 10,000-square meter Recto Station near the corner of Rizal Avenue will link LRT-2 with the Doroteo Jose Station of LRT-1. The older LRT-1 line runs from Baclaran in Para¤aque City to Monumento in Caloocan City.

"LRT-2 and LRT-1 will be connected by an elevated walkway,'' said Mel Robles, LRT Authority administrator.

Robles said the four-story train terminal was the biggest of the mass rail stations. It has eight escalators and four glass-encased elevators with Braille for the visually impaired.

The ground floor, according to Robles, serves as the entry and exit areas for all, while the fourth which is the platform, serves as the arrival and departure area for the disabled.

The purple line consists of a 13.8-km elevated line from Santolan in Pasig City, westward to Recto in Manila via Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and Legarda.

Robles said they expect 120,000 passengers to take LRT-2 everyday.

To accommodate the influx of commuters, Robles said eight vending machines were installed in every station for faster and easier dispensing of tickets.

The administrator said three women were trained to drive the train to add distinction to the purple line.

The P32-billion project was funded in part by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

But while the latest modern transport system became fully operational, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 or MRT-3 was already showing signs of wear.

For the third straight day, MRT-3 suffered a stoppage in operations yesterday after a power problem caused an explosion near the Buendia station.

On Tuesday, a computer glitch stalled operations in all 13 stations at 9:45 a.m.

The problem caused the automatic gates at the Guadalupe and Buendia stations to malfunction and fail to open, preventing passengers from boarding the trains.

The incident caused heavy traffic along affected portions in Edsa.

On Wednesday, a northbound train carrying about 800 passengers stopped between Quezon Avenue and North Edsa stations at about 11 a.m. due to a power fluctuation.

MRT-3 spokesperson Mariano Gui said the incidents were isolated and were immediately addressed.

MRT-3 general manager Roberto Lastimoso said the breakdowns were not related to the railway's request for a P10 fare hike.

Yesterday, Gui said, a Pasay-bound train that had just left the Buendia station suffered a power trip that damaged the chopper motor-a power source near the driver.

Gui said operations resumed five minutes after the train was towed and its passengers transferred.

well... MRT3 really needs to be upgraded or maintained better... they need to properly space between trains para di maipon ang mga pasahero sa station... they should extend the trains to full station length.. kaya pa ng isang car... para 4 cars for every train....

and yeah I hope MRT4 and MRT7 whether they overlap or not would push through... so that we people of the nothern cities would have a quicker means of transport to Manila or Makati...

yes!! it's open! right on schedule.... I wonder what the Recto Terminal looks like. and how it connects to LRT-1. sounds real good though. can't wait to see pictures. anyone been there yet? hehe...

MRT-3 really does need an upgrade. IMO, it's in worse condition than the LRT-1. shows how severly it was corrupted. argh...

here's some news re: MRT-4.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MRT4 most viable among rail systems in Metro — study
The Philippine Star | October 29, 2004

The proposed Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 4 is considered the most viable of the rail transit systems in Metro Manila based on a foreign-assisted study undertaken by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The findings were contained in the Metro Manila Urban Transportion Integration Study (MMUTIS), which devised an integrated urban transportation system for Metro Manila for the target year 2015.

The MMUTIS was undertaken from March 1996 to February 1999 with technical assistance from the Japan Internatinal Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The study showed that among the railway lines in the proposed Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP), the MRT4 phase 1 has the highest economic impact, with economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of 29.7 percent.

In comparison, the extension of EDSA-MRT up to Caloocan City only has 14.6 percent EIRR while the extension of LRT Line 1 from Baclaran to Cavite has 23.8 percent.

The DOTC, in an order dated Oct. 23, 2001, has prescribed the adoption of the Railway Master Plan proposed by MMUTIS, which includes MRT4 as "Priority A project." Subsequent study of the postoned MRT4 project showed that it integrates well with the Arroyo administration’s focus towards urban transportation development.

The MMUTIS estimated that there wil be 1.34 million passengers per day for MRT4 by year 2015 as the line where the rail system will traverse is considered to be a high traffic corridor.

The MRT4 phase 1, which is fully elevated, will start from Old Bilibid in Lerma, Manila up to Batasan in Quezon City passing through España St., Quezon Blvd. and Commonwealth Ave.

Phase 1 will have 14 stations — Old Bilibid, UST, Mendoza, Antipolo, Welcome Rotonda, Araneta, Roosevelt, Timog, Edsa, Quezon City Hall, Philcoa, Tandang Sora, Don Antonio and Batasan.

Passenger capacity of the MRT4 is expected to further increase with the implementation of phase 2, which is from Batasan to Novaliches, Quezon City.

Recto/Doroteo Jose is basically one station located in the same area so why does LRT 1 & LRT 2 call it by different names.

Isn't it common practice to have one name for an Interchange Station rather than having one name for the same Station for each line.

Recto/Doroteo Jose is basically one station located in the same area so why does LRT 1 & LRT 2 call it by different names.

Isn't it common practice to have one name for an Interchange Station rather than having one name for the same Station for each line.

because they aren't really integrated. they are two separate terminals connected by a walkway. not like the interchange stations like the one in BKK where there are two platforms for changing between two lines....

@ Ignoramus....Thats the way they do it here. Its weird, and i dont like it. I wish its like other systems (Singapore MRT, etc) where there is one station connecting two or more lines. In MM, when to lines connect, there are two stations (one for each line) with a connecting bridge, passage or mall between them. In Recto/Doroteo Jose's case, there will be 3 lines that will connect at that point (currenly only line 1 & 2; line 4 will connect there later), so i guess there will be 3 stations at that point. Its pretty dumb, imo.

Good news on the other lines!! MRT 4 is important because it will ply through a heavily used route. Hope they start it soon. And great that the MRT 2's last station is finally open, right on schedule. I also want to see pics of how it connects with LRT 1 and how MRT 4 might be positioned in that area.

hopefully when all the lines are open we dont have to use several cards to ride them..

because they aren't really integrated. they are two separate terminals connected by a walkway. not like the interchange stations like the one in BKK where there are two platforms for changing between two lines....

When a new Station of a new Line is being built right beside an existing Station on an older Line, the two Stations are given the same name in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This is to alert commuters that the same Station on both Lines are located in roughly the same area.

Unless of course the connecting linkway is very long and the Stations are very far apart such as in the case for Hong Kong's new Tsim Sha Tsui East Station which is located quite far from another Station so though they are linked by a connecting walkway, the Stations are still of different names. Is that the case in Manila?

Well, those stations arent very far. They are indeed, roughly the same area and connected by a walkway. Which is why i often wonder, why not have a single station connecting the two lines? Its cheaper and more efficient to build, and its easier for commuters!

Doroteo Jose station stand on the corner of Doroteo Jose St and Rizal Ave.... it is one block away from Recto Blvd.

Well, those stations arent very far. They are indeed, roughly the same area and connected by a walkway. Which is why i often wonder, why not have a single station connecting the two lines? Its cheaper and more efficient to build, and its easier for commuters!

Well the Lines were built quite a few years apart so its understandable that no provisions were made for trains from a newer line to pass through the same station, saving costs. After all, decisions to build lines take some time to be approved so you dont really know which line will intersect at which station until its usually too late.

Security must be real tight on the MRT/LRT. There are hardly any photos of the trains and stations in this thread.

Well, go to the previous MRT/LRT thread, there are lots of pictures there. The link is on the first post of this thread. This is a newer thread since the old thread got too big.

And yeah, security is pretty tight on all lines (line 1 is the least tight though). But we managed to squeeze in a few pictures.

I dont see any link. Never mind. Thanks.

Oops...sorry. here's the link: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=96027

oh yeah... there is no link... how do we get to the archived threads? or GreyX, can you post a link to the old MRT thread? thanks..! :D

nevermind... haha... posted this right after you posted the link... thanks!

hehe...sorry folks, i must have forgotten to post the link when i moved the thread to the archives.

hopefully when all the lines are open we dont have to use several cards to ride them..

You can already ride all three lines using just one pass, the Flash Pass. It costs 250 pesos for a week's worth of unlimited riding.

You can already ride all three lines using just one pass, the Flash Pass. It costs 250 pesos for a week's worth of unlimited riding.

oh yeah... i've read about that. have you tried using it? do you take the MRT often?

You can already ride all three lines using just one pass, the Flash Pass. It costs 250 pesos for a week's worth of unlimited riding.

that's a pretty good deal. i know in Brussels there was such a system, except it was more bigger, also including buses and trams. the problem for buses in MM is, there are numerous operators. but it can be done if everyone participates.

What's 250 Pesos converted to Singapore Dollars?

Anyways even with the Train Concession Passes for students in SG, you are only limited to 4 train rides a day. For the Bus Concession Stamp instead, its unlimited rides.

So it must have been very good value for money to just pay 250 Pesos for totally UNLIMITED Rides.

LRT Line 2 opens Recto route today

Updated 10:53pm (Mla time) Oct 28, 2004
By Clarissa Batino, Nancy Carvajal
Inquirer News Service

DIVISORIA is now closer to the shopping aficionado.

The usually one- to two-hour trip from Pasig City to Manila's bargain capital will now take only 20 to 30 minutes with the completion of Line 2 of the Light Rail Transit system or LRT-2.

President Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate today the line's Recto station, the last of the 11 stations of LRT-2 to be completed and set in operation.

More fondly called the Purple Line because of the purple line on the sides of its trains, LRT-2 runs from Santolan in Pasig City to Marikina, Quezon City, San Juan and C.M. Recto in Manila.

The 10,000-square meter Recto Station near the corner of Rizal Avenue will link LRT-2 with the Doroteo Jose Station of LRT-1. The older LRT-1 line runs from Baclaran in Para¤aque City to Monumento in Caloocan City.

"LRT-2 and LRT-1 will be connected by an elevated walkway,'' said Mel Robles, LRT Authority administrator.

Robles said the four-story train terminal was the biggest of the mass rail stations. It has eight escalators and four glass-encased elevators with Braille for the visually impaired.

The ground floor, according to Robles, serves as the entry and exit areas for all, while the fourth which is the platform, serves as the arrival and departure area for the disabled.

The purple line consists of a 13.8-km elevated line from Santolan in Pasig City, westward to Recto in Manila via Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and Legarda.

Robles said they expect 120,000 passengers to take LRT-2 everyday.

To accommodate the influx of commuters, Robles said eight vending machines were installed in every station for faster and easier dispensing of tickets.

The administrator said three women were trained to drive the train to add distinction to the purple line.

The P32-billion project was funded in part by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

But while the latest modern transport system became fully operational, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 or MRT-3 was already showing signs of wear.

For the third straight day, MRT-3 suffered a stoppage in operations yesterday after a power problem caused an explosion near the Buendia station.

On Tuesday, a computer glitch stalled operations in all 13 stations at 9:45 a.m.

The problem caused the automatic gates at the Guadalupe and Buendia stations to malfunction and fail to open, preventing passengers from boarding the trains.

The incident caused heavy traffic along affected portions in Edsa.

On Wednesday, a northbound train carrying about 800 passengers stopped between Quezon Avenue and North Edsa stations at about 11 a.m. due to a power fluctuation.

MRT-3 spokesperson Mariano Gui said the incidents were isolated and were immediately addressed.

MRT-3 general manager Roberto Lastimoso said the breakdowns were not related to the railway's request for a P10 fare hike.

Yesterday, Gui said, a Pasay-bound train that had just left the Buendia station suffered a power trip that damaged the chopper motor-a power source near the driver.

Gui said operations resumed five minutes after the train was towed and its passengers transferred.

What's 250 Pesos converted to Singapore Dollars?

Anyways even with the Train Concession Passes for students in SG, you are only limited to 4 train rides a day. For the Bus Concession Stamp instead, its unlimited rides.

So it must have been very good value for money to just pay 250 Pesos for totally UNLIMITED Rides.

Php 250 is approximately US$4.46 :)

Hooray! Recto is finally open! Is the connection to Doroteo Jose done, or do we have to take to the streets to change lines, like in cubao?

250 P = 150 Baht = Sg$ 6 or 7

oh yeah... i've read about that. have you tried using it? do you take the MRT often?

Nope, I don't ride the trains that often. Just joyrides, and when I want to get to Shaw or Megamall from Manila quickly. So hindi sulit to buy a Flash Pass for me. But there are lots of banners about the Flash Pass at the Taft terminal of MRT3.

And 250 pesos is around 185 baht at current exchange rates. Which makes it around S'pore $ 5.

It's a real bargain I think.

It costs $21 for the weekly unlimited in NY. The difference is, NY's transit system is of course, the best. And it integrates the bus and subway lines.

For comparison, a single ride is $2. But there are unlimited transfers within the train system, and it comes with 1 free transfer to the bus system within 1 hour (I think 1 hour) of the first swipe. You can theoretically ride on every single mile of subway track for $2 in NY. Would take you more than 1 day, but you could definitely do it.

But the PhP250 unlimited weekly is great. I definitely would've used it had it been available the last time I was in RP. I lived walking distance to an MRT3 station and could definitely have used a way to get to Manila really quickly from where I was. All the cool stuff is in Manila.

MRT to buy new trains as passengers increase
By LENIE LECTURA
TODAY Reporter

Robert John Sobrepeña, chairman of Fil-Estate which leads the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) consortium, said the train firm plans to purchase 24 more coaches to accommodate the increase in passengers that have now reached over 400,000 daily.

He said that the unexpected increase in commuters have resulted in several technical problems and untoward incidents that was attributed to the overloading of the train system that was not designed to carry more than 400,000 passengers.

“The ridership now is exceeding the design capacity of the MRT 3. The only solution here is to add at least 24 coaches to augment the existing capacity which is now between 350,000 and 400,000 passengers,” said Sobrepeña.

MRTC is a consortium led by Fil-Estate, Ayala Land Inc., Anglo-Philippine Holdings, Ramcar Greenfield Development, Allante Realty and DBH Inc.

“I have been talking about the increase in ridership for so many years now but the additional coaches to augment the existing MRT 3 is tied up to Phase 2, which is another five-kilometer stretch from North Avenue up to the Light Rail Transit-1 Monumento station,” he said.

The construction of Phase 2 has yet to start after the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said that the project should be subject to a Swiss challenge wherein other private groups could still come forward to make an offer but MRTC would retain the right to match any new bid.

However, the consortium claimed that it owned the right to build the extension based on a supplemental agreement it signed with the DOTC in 1999.

The Department of Justice has ruled that the supplemental agreement had already lapsed and the project should be scheduled for rebidding.

Sobrepeña said commuters should not worry about their safety with in the MRT 3 system.

“The tracks can support up to 1 million passengers. What’s needed now are additional coaches. Further incidents can be prevented as long as there will be additional coaches. Right now, there is no danger in riding the MRT 3,” he said.

The entire Phase 2 once complied is expected to nearly double commuters of the MRT 3 currently pegged at 350,000 to 400,000 passengers daily during weekdays and 320,000 during weekends.In June this year, an explosion happened inside an MRT 3 train along EDSA in Guadalupe, Makati City, but no one was injured.

The incident caused panic, forcing some passengers to jump from the elevated tracks down to EDSA.

The explosion was allegedly caused by the overloading of the electrical system.

TESP, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corp., is the company that conducts maintenance work and repairs on the MRT 3.

MRTC pays TESP about P80 million a month to maintain the MRT 3 and make sure that the trains are fit to run.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
good news... but it still sounds very vague right now. says nothing about the cost or where they're gonna source the funding for the new trains or whatever. I hope they get better trains this time though...

P8-B JBIC loan eyed for LRT-2 extension (http://money.inq7.net/topstories/view_topstories.php?yyyy=2004&mon=11&dd=02&file=4)
Posted: 1:08 AM | Nov. 02, 2004
Clarissa S. Batino
Inquirer News Service


THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation and Communication is seeking P8 billion in long-term loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for an eastward extension of the Light Railway Transit Line 2 (LRT 2) from Pasig City to Antipolo City, Secretary Leandro Mendoza said.

The loan could go up to P11 billion if the government included in the project the purchase of four rolling stocks to support a bigger volume of passengers, Light Railway Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Mel Robles said.

Mendoza said he had directed the LRTA to prepare a new project proposal for the JBIC.

The Japanese agency made a P31-billion concessional loan to the government for construction of the 13.8-kilometer LRT Line 2, which runs from Santolan Road in Pasig City to Claro M. Recto Avenue in Manila.

The Recto station became operational last Friday. Robles said passengers could access Line 1 through the Recto station leading to the station on Doroteo Jose Street by December.

"We will ask JBIC for an P8-billion financing so we can extend Line 2 from Santolan, Pasig, to Masinag in Antipolo," Mendoza said.

The previous loan from JBIC carries an interest rate of two percent and is payable in 30 years, with a 10-year grace period. Mendoza said the government wanted similar concessional terms for the new loan.

The LRT Line 2 took seven years to complete because of right-of-way problems. LRTA project manager Enrico Garcia said the delay cost the government P2 billion.

With the operation of the Recto station, Robles said passenger volume in the LRT Line 2 would rise to an average of 120,000 daily from about 100,000 at present.

The Line 2 has a capacity of 600,000 passengers.

The LRT Line 1, which runs from the Monumento area of Quezon City to the Baclaran area of Parañaque City, carries between 250,000 and 300,000 commuters daily.

The LRTA is pressing for a P10 fare hike so it can reduce losses arising from loan payments.

The LRTA said JBIC had also agreed to provide P11 billion for improvements in Line 1. Garcia said the Japanese institution had released P1 billion for upgrading substations of Line 1.

The remaining P10 billion will be used to purchase additional trains for Line 1.

Robles said the LRTA was also in talks with Banco de Oro Universal Bank on a P2.5-billion loan that would be used to pay obligations of the LRTA to the finance department. With INQ7.net

Seems like recently there has been a lot of new MRT & LRT developments in Manila. Even the fate of T3 looks good.

Though i have read recently, but it was not posted here, that LRT1 and MRT3, plus NAIA has big debts to Pasay City....

any new pics on recto station

i wanna see pics of Recto terminal as well... haha... they really should post them on the LRTA website.

@renell - I think I've read of those too... but there have also been recent articles (like today and past few days) that report the Makati gov't auctioning off the four stations located in the city for failure to pay realty taxes over the past couple years... none of them have said anything about the MRTC doing anything about it though...

can they do anything about it? MRTC i mean..

and what does this auction mean for them? will it affect service?

I rode the MRT2 from Recto to Cubao today. I decided not to take any pictures of the Recto terminal because it doesn't look very different from the Cubao terminal. Same color scheme as all the other stations, but this one has three levels. I think they're eventually going to open shops in the terminal because there are signs that say "To Shops". The pylons for the walkway to the Doroteo Jose station of LRT1 are already up so hopefully it'll be completed soon.

wow...good that line 3 is considering getting new coaches. They really need better ones.

hmmm...ok similar to Cubao station. Thats good, coz Cubao is one of the best stations in line 2.

Yes and I would think Recto is even bigger. It spans the length from Isetann Recto to just a block away from Avenida (there's a vacant lot where the old Odeon Theater used to stand). I had no idea it was going to be this expansive.

Makati may temporarily own four MRT terminals if . . .


By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA


MAKATI CITY — Should no one buy the four Metro Rail Transit (MRT) terminals that will be auctioned off next week, the government of Makati City gets to have temporary ownership of the transport firm.


This was revealed by city officials after announcing that four of the terminals, including its railways, will be placed on public bidding next week, November 10 Wednesday at the city hall.

These include the Guadalupe, Buendia, Ayala and Magallanes MRT stations. Property owners have accumulated tax obligation from 2000 to 2004.

Carmelito Anzures, spokesman of Mayor Jejomar Binay, said the transport’s administration no longer has jurisdiction over the mentioned properties after it failed to pay its R1.170 billion realty tax debt with Makati.

"The auction is part of the legal process which applies to any and all delinquent taxpayers," Anzures said.

He said the MRT administration refused to pay their tax dues with Makati and several other local government units claiming they are exempted from doing so.

But he said, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that operation of profit-earning establishments is a business operation and thus compelled to pay realty taxes of LGUs.

"We want to cite case of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) against the Manila City Assessor and the Central Board of Assessment and Appeal (CBAA). They were trying to hide behind the skirts of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC), but in the end they lost the fight because it is clear that as a business firm they are required to pay their taxes," Anzures explained.

Binay’s spokesman said, if no one buys the four stations, or if no one wins in the bidding, these will be temporarily run by the city government.

"If no one buys it (MRT), it remains on a confiscated status and the city gets ‘temporary ownership’," he said. "They can continue operating but still, ownership of the property remains on a questionable status," he added.

hmm..i didnt know there had to be owners for the stations. I thought it was a public infrastructure.

Parenaque did something similar with MIAA and NAIA I.

btw, in these articles, when they refer to money, why do they use R? What does it mean? Don't they use PhP as the signifier of money any more in print?

As far as I know, it's still P, or PhP. Maybe the R was just an attempt to have a slash on the P. :D

The pylons for the walkway to the Doroteo Jose station of LRT1 are already up so hopefully it'll be completed soon.
i saw this one also yesterday

MRT consortium submits better deal for extension of rail network

The consortium that built the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) appears to have gained an edge in bagging the contract for the extension although the government is yet to decide on whom to grant the contract.

The Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), a consortium led by the Sobrepeñas, built the first 13 stations of the MRT3 and said it should get the contract for the five-kilometer extension from North Avenue Station to Monumento in Caloocan City.

The construction would complete the loop connecting the MRT3 to the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1).

The proposal was challenged by Filipinas Systems, Inc., led by the FF Cruz Construction, which presented a plan to construct an extension of LRT1 in Monumento to North Avenue.

BENEFICIAL

"Option one, which was the proposal from MRTC, is the most economical, fastest and most beneficial for the government. In the Filsystems proposal, the cost of the project would be $230 million, while it is only $198 million for the MRTC," MRT3 Administrator Roberto Lastimoso said.

The proposal of both firms include the construction of the five-kilometer extension with three stations in Muñoz in Quezon City, Balintawak and Monumento in Caloocan City.

Filsystems' project cost, however, would be higher because it needs to build its own train depot.

The MRTC already has an existing depot near its North Avenue station.

Mr. Lastimoso said the extension project is still pending as the Department of Transportation and Communications awaits the legal opinion of the Justice department on granting the contract.

"In a Cabinet meeting, the President [Gloria Macapagal Arroyo] gave explicit order instructing the Department of Justice to come out with a recommendation this month," Mr. Lastimoso said.

The existing MRT3, which was completed in 2000, runs 17 kilometers from North Avenue to Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

It uses 20 trains with a capacity of 23,000 passengers per hour.

With the completion of phase two, the MRTC projects that passengers would reach up to 47,000 per hour due to the higher population in the areas covered by the extension. -- Anna Barbara L. Lorenzo

well, this is no contest...mas tipid talaga pag MRTC

P8-billion loan to extend Line 2 to Antipolo sought
Manila Bulletin | November (?), 2004

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is seeking P8 billion in loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to extend Line II or the Purple Line from Santolan to Cogeo, in Antipolo, Rizal.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the assistance from the Japanese government is in line with the country’s Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP), which seeks to accelerate infrastructure development.

Mendoza said the loan would be a new one with the same concessional terms as the previous one (Line II). It will have a two percent interest for three packages payable in 30 years with a 10-year grace period.

A feasibility study on the traffic volume, technical engineering, financial and technical feasibility of extending the LRT II project from Santolan all the way to Cogeo in Antipolo has already been validated.

The need to have an LRT line going to Cogeo has been decided to address the mass transit needs of the expanding population in Antipolo most of whom work in Metro Manila, according to Enrico Garcia, project manager of LRT II.

Under the LRT II network to the Rizal province, there are two alternative route options. The first alternative route will be along Marcos Highway to the junction of Sumulong Highway and Marcos Highway.

The proposed route alignment will occupy the median part of the Marcos Highway along its entire length.

The length of this route alignment is about 5.75 kilometers and could link the northeastern Rizal towns to Metro Manila through the Marikina-San Mateo-Montalban and the Taytay-Cainta-Pasig routes.

The second alternative will make use of the Sumulong Highway, passing through A. Bonifacio Avenue and Sumulong Highway in Marikina.

The DoTC study, however, said the Marcos Highway route is more viable based on technical engineering and cost consideration.

The study likewise noted that locating an LRT line through the Sumulong Highway would require substantial property acquisitions to give way to LRT carriageway structure, stations and utilities.

The main drawback identified on the Marcos Highway alignment is the heavy flooding in the area which could be aggravated during the construction.

Semi-elevated structures shall be adopted in depressed areas where flooding normally occurs. On the other hand, the at-grade level structures shall be used wherever possible being cheaper and easier to construct.

A total of three passenger stations are proposed – Rodriguez Avenue, Imelda Avenue and Sumulong Highway.

Similar to that of Line II, it will be constructed for a three-car train operation, but will include provisions for expanded fleet operations in the future.

In case an LRT system is constructed in the area, the rehabilitation of its drainage system would tend to push up the project’s capital cost.

DoTC’s study attested that the proposed extension of the LRT II to the eastern fringes is consistent with the urban growth strategy for Metro Manila.

The viability of the project was deemed within acceptable levels. This is expected to improve as feeder road links and other measures, including bus and jeepney route rationalization, are established.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
good news... but I'm not too sure they can get this done in the next little while. there is another article dated today on INQ7 stating that the gov't is considering cancelling 13 ODA loans (one of which is for the new Laguindingan Airport of Cagayan de Oro) to contain the fiscal crisis.

maybe in the next two years...? but I'm hopeful before the end of PGMA's term... hehehe...

Thats nice...but imo this shouldnt be as prioritized as MRT 3 extention, line 4, LRT 1 extention and line 7.

yeah i'm sure this will come later, after LRT2 gets more success and profit :D

DOTC sets bid for 48 trains worth $100M
ABS-CBNNews.com | November 11, 2004

The government on Thursday said it is going to bid out 48 new railway trains worth about $100 million to augment the existing capacity of the Metro Rail Transit 3.

“We have been discussing this since February this year. We are looking for investors who would buy 48 trains. We will bid it out because it would have to be done through a build-operate-transfer,” said MRT 3 general manager Roberto Lastimoso.

Each train consists of three coaches. The MRT 3, which spans from Baclaran in Pasay City to North Avenue in Quezon City, has 70 trains. When these were bid out in 1999 the trains cost about $1.5 million each.

Metro Rail Transit Corp. is the consortium that bagged the BOT contract of the MRT 3. It is led by Fil-Estate and its members include Ayala Land Inc., Anglo-Philippine Holdings, Ramcar Greenfield Development, Allante Realty and DBH Inc.

Lastimoso said that it does not necessarily have to be the MRTC that would buy the trains.

The proposal was already discussed in the technical working group of the Department of Transportation and Communications. It still has yet to pass through the National Economic and Development Authority.

Metro Star Express, the brand name of MRT 3, has been experiencing regular technical glitches for the past months.

Robert John Sobrepeña, chairman of Fil-Estate, said the railway was not designed to carry more than 400,000 passengers.

“The ridership now is exceeding the design capacity of the MRT 3. The only solution here is to add at least 24 coaches to augment the existing capacity which is now between 350,000 and 400,000 passengers,” said Sobrepeña. L. Lectura
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
good news...!! I just don't get what they mean by bidding the coaches. does that mean they're gonna hold a bidding to seek out suppliers that can provide the lowest cost for the trains...? yeah... I think that's what it means, right...? hahaha...! i was reading it a while ago and I just didn't get it then...

I hope they get nice trains like the ones Rotem made for Megatren... or something of the equivalent in the light-rail-class...

Wait let me get this straight. In the 90's MRTC acquired these trains. Now, they are unhappy with them (of course since they suck!). In the next few months, they will aquire bigger, better trains. How dumb reasoning is that!:| They (including our govt) is so worried about costs and spending that they buy something inferior only to learn that it is unreliable so they buy newer ones in a space of less than 10 years! In the end, they spend even more money...:weird:

LRTA's trains have been around for about 20 years, and yet they are still good. MRTC should learn from LRTA. And yeah, they should get Rotem or maybe even Siemens trains.:) Looks like our wish of better trains in line 3 is coming true.

does that mean they're gonna hold a bidding to seek out suppliers that can provide the lowest cost for the trains...? yeah... I think that's what it means, right...?

ok... so it does not actually mean that ^... hahaha...

aahhh...! I don't get it. haha... the DOTC currently has 48 brand new trains on hand...? and they need investors to come and buy a couple of them so the MRTC can operate them on the MRT-3...?? is that it...? but why would somebody want to buy a train..? how do they earn money from that...?

@GreyX - maybe they won't be new trains after all. cuz the DOTC already has them. so they could've been bought at the same time all the other trains were bought, and then stored for use when the MRT-3's Phase II would be built.

and I don't think they're actually unhappy with the trains. or that's not what they're trying to tell people. because they aren't replacing the old trains. they're only buying more to add to their fleet to increase operating capacity by augmenting the currently available trains. right...?

oh... whatever. they're getting new trains. yay... :runaway:

grrr...

well... I guess the new trains would of same model as what is currently the Metro Star Express.... coz I think if they'd acquire a train like Rotem's... they not exactly fit the stations... coz i think those are wider than the current MRT trains.... plus I wouldn't like to see MRT to have two kinds of trains running on the same line...it would be like LRT with 2 types the airconditioned and the non-airconditioned one...

plus the current MRT stations can still acommodate 1 coach length more for each trains... so if they buy the same type of trains, they can make the current 3-coached trains into 4-coached trains....

They could get a different model/design from Rotem or whatever...:D
ignore me;)

anyways, new trains are good nonetheless.

yes they're a good idea, however not a financially-smart idea. you would need a new depot, a waste of space, and maintenance of two types of trains is not financially good either. how about getting rid of the old ones and replacing them with new ones that fit the track? :D that's probably too unrealistic. i guess MRT3 is doomed to eternity with those crap trains.

I've made a joke about being apprehended by security guards for taking pictures without a permit (only in the Philippines!). Well, looks like the joke was on me. I took some pictures at LRT 2 last week and got caught while taking pictures at the third level of Recto station. I'm posting some of the pics if only because it took a lot of trouble. And to spite the security people.

N.B. No chance in hell I could have taken pictures with a manual SLR and a tripod in less than 5 seconds, so these are all low res digital pics. I'm losing some pics of the connecting walkway to LRT 1's Doroteo Jose station so I'll upload them as soon as I find them.

Recto station
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pb9e51a5d7549a4f753fa9a43d9351a96/f61eb9dc.jpg
The ticketing booths and turnstiles at the third level of Recto station
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p258f8c92e1fc491776b9cd5846ce5f47/f61eb9d9.jpg

Recto station third level going towards the u/c walkway towards LRT 1
(And incidentally where the utility man, seen here behind the couple, snitched on me and where I got caught.)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p97e5cd5d4b9c55624c8d39678f625ef6/f61eb9d0.jpg

Libis skyline seen from the boarding level of LRT 2 Santolan station
(N.B. Sorry very low res. A guard was hovering nearby. Didn't have time to adjust the settings and the lens.)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p00b220212dce1354ab3a4abf0d47cced/f61eb9de.jpg

Inside the Purple Line trains
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p07e7287e5b5d9ac0ed8110db41e38afc/f61eb9d3.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pfb05b17dbc75c3e79143cd0cd810c01f/f61eb9cd.jpg

The missing pictures are those of the elevated connecting walkway. Will upload them next time.

very wide spaces... i guess this fact offsets the fact that big things like those hanging in the air don't look beautiful..

Well, good that you tried. Nice effort, despite the security. Recto station is massive!!

recto station looks very clean and the trains as well, roomy! :)

Good try, Power-Mad.

Ok... let's see if we can all practice this method at home. This only works for people with Canon Powershot series cameras with the flip-out screens.

Undercover photography tips:
1) wear camera around neck
2) flip out screen so that screen faces up, towards you.
3) turn off flash
4) use remote control to take pictures. Initially, the guards won't notice you because you are not holding a camera up to your face. You control your camera using remote control so you don't look like you're touching the camera at all. And since the screen is facing you, you do have a chance to compose a picture, though not very stable. You can disguise your composition by standing still, next to a wall, holding out your cellphone and pretending to text while really framing the shot in the viewscreen. Meanwhile, you can just click away with your camera remote.

Trust me this works. I've taken a few good candids of people this way.

wow...!! thanks for the pics of Recto Station, Power-Mad!!!!!!! hahaha...! great shots...! sounds like it took so much trouble.

looking good! it is really big. haha... looks a little bare compared to the other stations though, for some reason. probably cuz it isn't totally completed yet. it doesn't have all those cool stainless railings along the walls (as can be seen in the fourth shot taken at Santolan Station). I hope they don't forget those. they make it much sleeker and more modern. what do they have on the second level? is that where the shops are gonna go...? oh, is there a mall in between D Jose and Recto Stations or is it just simply the walkway...?

another thing I have to see when I get back to Manila. haha...! yay... lol...

i remember it's just a walkway

i remember it's just a walkway

oh... okay...! thanks...

Good try, Power-Mad.

Ok... let's see if we can all practice this method at home. This only works for people with Canon Powershot series cameras with the flip-out screens.

Undercover photography tips:
1) wear camera around neck
2) flip out screen so that screen faces up, towards you.
3) turn off flash
4) use remote control to take pictures. Initially, the guards won't notice you because you are not holding a camera up to your face. You control your camera using remote control so you don't look like you're touching the camera at all. And since the screen is facing you, you do have a chance to compose a picture, though not very stable. You can disguise your composition by standing still, next to a wall, holding out your cellphone and pretending to text while really framing the shot in the viewscreen. Meanwhile, you can just click away with your camera remote.

Trust me this works. I've taken a few good candids of people this way.

Ok, maybe this will work, but their tight security is not just limited to the guards. Every LRT2 station has a bunch of security cameras, some hidden and some not so hidden. So you might as well end up being caught when using this technique because you will look more like a terrorist taking pictures secretly.

Yeah I guess you're right. Maybe we should pool resources and invest in some of the stuff on here: http://www.advanced-intelligence.com/video.html?1586

Wow, those are great (and expensive!) stuff!
So...which one do you suggest we buy :colgate:

hahaha:lol: So we at SSC are becoming more like the CIA, huh? Do we really need to take pictures that badly?....YEAH!:D

hahahaha...!!! this is so funny...!

kinda like the pinhole cam though only b&w photos. maybe a mini-film on LRT2 stations on that thing would hell yeah work :D

hahaha:lol: So we at SSC are becoming more like the CIA, huh? Do we really need to take pictures that badly?....YEAH!:D
i don't know of any other civilized country that prevents their people from taking pictures.

http://www.imagesphilippines.com/images/032904_151810.jpg

@rico, i thought the leader of civilised nations didn't :? well at least in some places. our skyscrapers and MRT/LRT lines aren't exactly in the itenirary books:D

i don't know of any other civilized country that prevents their people from taking pictures.

New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority actually floated the idea several months ago about prohibiting photography in the city's subway lines. But there was such a brouhaha against it that they didn't follow through with the necessary rules. I think the day after an announcement was made that there was this proposal to ban cameras, hundreds of NYC artists stormed the subways and took pictures of everything (mostly of other people taking pictures) as a way of protest. We value our right to take pictures here.

New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority actually floated the idea several months ago about prohibiting photography in the city's subway lines. But there was such a brouhaha against it that they didn't follow through with the necessary rules. I think the day after an announcement was made that there was this proposal to ban cameras, hundreds of NYC artists stormed the subways and took pictures of everything (mostly of other people taking pictures) as a way of protest. We value our right to take pictures here.
and so should we in the philippines. or else, we are depriving ourselves of beautiful pictures of our country.

The idea of banning photography because of fear of terrorists is useless since terrorists don't usually take pictures publicly, they take pictures using undercover gadgets. LRTA people are just preventing the general public and not the terrorists from capturing the beauty of our transportation systems.

So true! If you were really a terrorist, you'd find a way to take pictures without being noticed. Or better yet, you'll find a way to get your hands on the blueprints or copies of the surveillance tapes.

Yeah...and in addition, many cellphones are equipped with cameras. If a terrorist really wanted to take pictures, they can simply use camera phones.

An MRT column with vines in it.

http://www.geocities.com/csbrocks_hunter/Photo_112504_012.jpg

seems to me the crawling vines thing is a good idea. Hiding the ugly concrete posts beneath it... Hope they do this to the massive flyovers to beautify the city

cool, great idea. though plants in EDSA don't usually live long lives unfortunately.

Thanks to all who commisserated with my predicament. @Boy baha: Will consider your covert technique but I'm using my videocam to take still pictures so I'll have to see if it works. Too bulky to be inscrutable if worn around the neck. I wouldn't chance another 15 minute grilling at the security office.

Here are the missing pictures I was telling you about.

Recto station unloading dock (this is the last station so no one boards on this side, remember?)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p6782bb6fd132ee1edfe13bc0ca67f755/f609dd42.jpg

This is LRT1 Doroteo Jose station, where a walkway connecting it to the Purple Line is being constructed. Taken at Doroteo Jose Street near the Mapua Street intersection (Mapua Institute would be to the right). This is where the jeepneys have been rerouted to bypass the pedestrianized section of Avenida. It's almost deserted because classes and work in public offices have been suspended on account of typhoon Yoyong.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p7c1cdeaa5520cd869b5616957d4757d4/f609e60b.jpg

The walkway on the D. Jose side
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pb7f4cb51be8ca298dcf5123d08ac8ff3/f609e650.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pa4d94633d60f537a19a41e9abb5e1ef8/f609e60e.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p6c8b22be0698cb359f433db6759fd614/f609e636.jpg

The walkway on the Purple Line Recto station side
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pf285d3a02c7bcac6406428372cefe24d/f609e616.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/pcb8e06981deb037fa8e861cd6c350f36/f609e646.jpg

Recto Station 2nd level going towards the connecting walkway to LRT1. To the left of this picture is where the shops will be (Looks like a vacant mall parking space last time I checked).
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid148/p8d56bf1161e0f6b10b0940a50eecdc58/f609cb9d.jpg

cool. cheers. one question though, how long is this walkway from your tour of the construction site?

@ thomasian's picture - Nice...They should put crawling plants on all MRT/LRT plyons in the city. They do that with KL's Monorail pylons and it makes a big difference.

Wow...Line 2's stations are sooo nice! very, very modern. but its surroundings (across the line) is not comparable to it.