Train slowdown disrupts LRT-1 operations anew

For several hours before noon Wednesday, commuters taking the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) were inconvenienced anew after one of the system's trains slowed to a crawl and affected the entire line. LRT Administration spokesman Hernando Cabrera said the trouble started at 9:38 a.m. when an LRT-1 coach heading for Baclaran slowed to a crawl and caused a chain reaction. "Pag-alis niya papunta EDSA station, bumagal ang takbo. Ang nangyari halos 10 kph ang takbo. Ang tren sa likod papunta Baclaran na-delay di makatakbo nang maayos (When the train left EDSA Station for Baclaran, it suddenly slowed to 10 kph. It forced the trains behind it to slow down as well)," Cabrera said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the LRT ordered the affected train removed from the line upon reaching Baclaran, and brought to the LRT depot for inspection and repair. But as a result of the problem, he said all other trains in the system, including those heading north toward Monumento, were delayed because of the chain reaction. "Igagarahe muna, pagdating sa Baclaran ibababa ito at ipapapapunta sa depot (We will bring it to the depot and have it inspected)," he said. He said they expect the situation at the LRT-1 to normalize before noon. Wednesday's incident was the latest glitch to hit the LRT-1 in past weeks. Past incidents had involved defective train parts such as doors. The LRTA had said it would address the problems during last month's Holy Week break, where the trains did not run for four days so workers can conduct maintenance work. — LBG, GMA News