Barefoot devotees welcome on LRT-1 trains

THE Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is all set for the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Monday, January 9, as it assured passengers and devotees enough trains will be available in its Line 1 route.

As in the previous years, the LRTA will allow barefoot Black Nazarene devotees to board its trains to and from Quiapo Church, said LRTA Administrator Rafael Rodriguez.

The LRTA usually records high passenger volume during the Feast of Black Nazarene. In 2009, a record 582,989 passengers boarded the Line 1 during the feast day. In 2010, 362,912 passengers were recorded.

Due to the expected surge of passengers, the LRTA said it has a ready “action plan” to ensure a smooth flow of operations on Monday. K-9 units augmented by police units and train security staff will be deployed in both its Line 1 and Line 2 routes. Red Cross volunteers will also be fielded at the UN Avenue and Carriedo stations from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Additional booths will also be opened to sell train tickets.

“There will be enough trains and station personnel to serve the devotees and regular passengers on Monday,” Rodriguez assured commuters.

Report from InterAksyon.com