(PPD photo)
MANILA – The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has restored 18 more elevators of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) as part of its efforts to improve the accessibility of the rail service.
In a statement on Thursday, the LRTA, the operator and maintenance provider of the LRT-2, said only 14 of the 40 elevators were operational as of Dec. 31, 2021.
The LRTA also said 10 more escalators have been repaired, increasing the operational units to 24 out of 72 escalators of the LRT-2.
“The LRTA's top priority is to ensure that everyone, especially the mobility-challenged train riders -- the elderly or senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) -- can easily move around its stations and board its trains,” the LRTA said in a statement.
On Dec. 7, 2021, the LRTA, upon the instruction of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, filed complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against LRTA officials and private contractors that were involved in a PHP138-million anomalous contract for conveyance systems such as elevators and escalators.
Tugade also ordered the immediate repair of the defective systems and the blacklisting of the involved suppliers. (PNA)
