LRT NEWS

LRTA addresses mechanical problem in Stored Value Tickets

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is exhausting all means to immediately
restore and normalize the distribution of Stored Value Tickets (SVT) due to
mechanical problem of its three Ticket Sorting Issuing Equipment (TSIE), the
machine that process magnetic tickets.
Engr. Emerson L. Benitez, LRTA Officer-in-Charge said the Authority is appealing to
all LRT-1 riders to bear with the inconvenience brought about by the temporary
unavailability of SVTs.
The parts required in repairing of the malfunctioning TSIEs are supplied by Thales of
Paris, its original equipment manufacturer. LRTA is now coordinating with the
manufacturer to replace the parts as soon as possible.
Currently, the remaining three units of TSIE are not sufficient to process the bulk of
tickets being previously produced and circulated at the revenue line.
LRTA now prioritizes distribution of Single Journey Tickets (SJT) since 70 percent of
the passengers are using them. The three remaining TSIEs are now used to process
SJT to continue serving the riding public.

LRTA to Regulate Number of Passengers Entering Line 1 Stations

Anticipating heavy influx of passengers during the opening of classes, the Light Rail
Transit Authority will introduce a new scheme called "Passenger Limit per Platform"
(PLPP) at peak link areas of LRT station to ease congestion and discomfort of
passengers at the station.

According to Mr. Honorito D. Chaneco, the LRTA Administrator, the new scheme will
be implemented from Roosevelt to D. Jose stations (southbound) from 6:30 to 10 in
the morning and from Baclaran to Carriedo stations (northbound) from 4 to 7 in the
evening. Partial implementation of PLPP scheme started on May 27 from Roosevelt
to 5th Avenue stations only.

"This new measure will regulate the load capacity of a station platform to ensure
that passengers can board the train within 4-5 minutes of their arrival at the
platform paid area. As a result, waiting time will be reduced by about 30% from 45
minutes to maximum of 30 minutes. Likewise, when previously, passengers are able
to determine the volume of riders only upon reaching the platform, with this new
scheme, the passengers will be able to assess the extent of congestion even at the
street level," Chaneco stressed.

He further explained that the said scheme will prolong the service life of the system
and will ensure the safety and convenience of the riding public.

Japan Parliamentary Mission visits LRTA

Members of the House of Representatives from Councilors of the Government of

Japan (GOJ) and officials from its Embassy together with representatives from the
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a site visit, Tuesday
morning of Philippine projects funded by Japan through Official Development
Assistance (ODA) which include various LRTA projects.

These projects with ODA financing include the Engineering Services for LRT Line 1
Capacity Expansion 1 and Line 2 Projects and the Financial Restructuring Study; Line
1 Capacity Expansion Project Phase 1 and Line 1 Rehabilitation Project/ Track
Maintenance & Ballast Renewal; LRT Line 1 Capacity Expansion Project Phase II; and
the Metro Manila Strategic Mass Rail Transit (Line 2) Development Project Packages
1 to 4.

Headed by Masahito Fujikawa, a representative of the Liberal Democratic Party of

Japan with 11 other delegates, they visited the LRT Line 1 Depot in Pasay City to
validate the completed and on-going projects of LRTA funded by the said country
through JICA.

The visitors were welcomed at the LRTA Depot in Pasay by key officials of the
Authority headed by Administrator Honorito D. Chaneco.

A brief presentation on the LRT system was held followed by an ocular inspection of
the Line 1 Depot. The delegation then took a short train ride of the Line 1 System
from the Depot to Baclaran Station and inspected some of the facilities at the said
station.

The Japanese delegation was composed of Masami Nishimura of the Democratic

Party of Japan; Tomoko Tamura of the Japanese Communist Party; Kunihiko Muroi of
the Japan Restoration Party; Yasufumi Okadome, Yuzuru Sakuma and Nobuhiro
Yamagoshi of the House of Councilors; Masayuki Harigai and Akio Isomata of the
Japanese Embassy; Takahiro Sasaki and Eigo Azukizawa of the JICA Philippine Office.

Among the other Philippine government institutions that will be visited by the
Japanese Parliamentary Mission for Japans ODA during its 3-day visit in the country
are the NEDA, LGU of Pasig-Marikina, San Lazaro Hospital, Maria Clara High School,
SCTEX, SBMA, Subic Free Port and the Philippine Coast Guard.

JICA is an independent governmental agency that coordinates ODA for the

Government of Japan chartered with assisting economic and social growth in
developing countries such as the Philippines.

Its core development programs are technical assistance programs/projects for

capacity and institutional development, feasibility studies and master plans with a
role in providing capital grants and yen loans. (by Johana Vi E. Gasga)

HARRISON PLAZA
Harrison Plaza paints a nostalgic picture of the original Manila mallers.
With the mallrat generation sprouting alongside establishments and commercial
spaces everywhere, even mall goers have joined in to the fickle world of
consumerism - the latest it shopping centers being the hang out hub for lazy
Sunday strollers and savvy bargain scourers alike.
Malls today have come a long way from being your friendly neighborhood grocery
store to being a one-stop shopping, dining and nightspot complex, containing
various stores, businesses, restaurants and activity centers.
Always targeting the spending market, a viable proximity to major transportation
routes is also its developers keen business point in mind.

Harrison Plaza and other areas in Manila used to be cemeteries.

One of the oldest malls in Metro Manila, this ancient mall is located smackdab in the heart of Malate, the original party-place in the metropolis.
Harrison Plaza opened in 1976.
it was *the* mall to go to in southern Manila
its simplistic two-floor design has survived the appearance of many larger,
more modern malls in the surrounding district. Along with its restaurants,
theaters and retail shops
Harrison Plaza is one of the few malls in the country where one can find three
rival department store chains, SM Department Store, Rustan's and Shopwise,
all under one roof.

A little piece of trivia: In 1988, a dinosaur exhibit at the mall included a full-sized
replica of an Iguanodon skeleton.