LRMC ramps up modernization as LRT-1 ridership nears pre-pandemic levels

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) said it is stepping up efforts to modernize the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) as daily ridership is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 2026.
LRMC president and chief executive Enrico Benipayo said average daily ridership has reached 440,000, matching pre-pandemic figures. The company is targeting 450,000 passengers per day by the end of the year.
The announcement followed the launch of “Kasambiyahe: Kasama sa Biyahe, Kasama sa Buhay,” the rail line’s new service identity, which highlights LRMC’s commitment to improving passenger experience.
Since taking over operations in 2015, LRMC has introduced major upgrades to the country’s oldest rail line. These include station rehabilitations, the rollout of 4th Generation train sets, and the opening of Phase 1 of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, which expanded service to more areas in the south.
Benipayo said the company is using lessons from the past decade to guide the next phase of development, with a focus on making trips safer, easier, and more reliable for commuters.
As part of its renewed push, LRMC also launched the “Humans of LRT-1” campaign. The exhibit features standees representing key stakeholders: the Department of Transportation, the Light Rail Transit Authority, LRMC employees, and the commuting public. The initiative highlights the partnership between the private sector, government, and passengers in improving the rail system.
LRMC said it will continue to follow the Public-Private Partnership model to sustain modernization efforts and support the government’s broader transport goals, aiming to keep LRT-1 a reliable backbone of urban mobility in Metro Manila.