PARTNERSHIP. Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Reynaldo Berroya (left) and Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) president and chief executive officer Juan Alfonso during the signing of a partnership on the ikotMNL mobile app at the LRTA Compound in Pasig City on December 10. Through the partnership, real-time train information and other features on the LRT-2 will be available on the ikotMNL mobile app by the first quarter of 2021. (Photo courtesy of LRMC)
MANILA – Passengers of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) will soon experience more convenient train travel after its operator—the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA)—signed a partnership to join the ikotMNL mobile app for train tracking and tourism.
In a statement on Thursday, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC)—the private operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1)—announced its partnership with LRTA to share the ikotMNL app, noting that LRT-2 information will be available in the app in the first quarter of 2021.
The app is available to download on iOS and Android devices and currently allows its users to view real-time information on the LRT-1—such as train arrivals, departures, and crow monitoring—and other features such as customer assistance and tourism content.
Under the agreement, the LRMC will develop and modify the ikotMNL app to integrate LRT-2 train information, provide necessary equipment for the data gathering of the app, and endorse all customer feedback or reports related to the LRT-2 to the LRTA.
“On the other hand, LRTA will allow LRMC to be a non-exclusive partner in providing LRT-2 information; assign a point person to oversee program on their side for operations and maintenance of hardware and system in coordination with LRMC; comply with the training guidelines and app user roles to ensure accuracy and reliability of data for LRT-2, and promote the use of the app,” the LRMC said.
The partnership was made official on December 10 after the signing of a memorandum of agreement held at the LRTA Compound in Pasig City.
Juan Alfonso, LRMC president and chief executive officer, said the partnership signifies the LRMC’s commitment to providing a “safe and convenient journey” to more than just passengers of the LRT-1.
“Our vision of integrated mobility is a future where the commuter will have seamless travel between his first, next, and last rides. We are very excited over this partnership because we are also able to be of service to LRT-2 passengers,” Alfonso said.
Reynaldo Berroya, LRTA administrator, welcomed the partnership and the convenience it would bring to its passengers especially through the contact-tracing technology of the app.
“The features provided by the app will help make navigation easier for the general commuters. Also, with its real-time features, passengers are better informed. The contact tracing technology of the app is also very timely as the safety of our passengers remains our top priority,” Berroya said.
In July this year, the ikotMNL app launched two new features—contact tracing via Bluetooth LE technology and the integration with Sakay.ph for better trip planning and commute directions in the metro by taking LRT-1 along with other modes of transport such as walking. (PNA)
