VIRAL: ‘Crazy’ LRT ride

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A netizen captured a potential disaster: a Light Rail Transit (LRT) train car had an open door as it moved across Line 1 stations on Thursday night, March 10.

Two viral videos posted by 19-year-old James Cubelo on Facebook show his ordeal from Central Station to EDSA Station, which a netizen called “a crazy LRT ride.”

“Napansin namin na hindi nag-close ang door pero tumatakbo na. Nagulat na lang kami nung sinabi ni manong guard na kumapit na lang kami nang mabuti (We realized the door didn’t close as the train started to move. We were surprised when the guard told us to just hold onto the rails).”

“Ano, ‘to, Star City lang ang peg (Is this Star City)?” Cubelo quipped, referring to the amusement park known for its thrilling rides.

Other commuters looked on in amazement as the train moved from station to station, with passengers going in and out of the “doorless” train car. 

Watch the videos below:

Part 1

Part 2

While it seemed like he was having fun documenting the experience, Cubelo told Rappler he was scared and realized it was an unsafe ride.

In his Facebook post, he urged netizens to share the video until it reaches the LRT management: “Guys! Share natin ‘to hanggang maka-abot sa management ng LRT!”

He also had a message for the LRT1 management.

“Di po ako nagmamadaling makita ang bagong tren na nabili nyo, o makasakay man dito. Sa pagkakataong ito, isa lang po ang hinihiling ko, SAFETY, di lang para sa akin, kundi para sa aming lahat na sumasakay, at patuloy na sasakay sa LRT line 1. Maraming salamat po!” he said.

(I’m not in a hurry to see or ride in your new train cars. At this point, I only have one wish: Safety for me and other passengers of LRT Line 1. Thank you very much!) 

The ‪Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) apologized to the affected passengers on Friday morning, March 11, and said it would investigate the incident.‬

“‪We apologize to the passengers who were onboard the said train,” LRMC said.‬

‪It noted that it has a‬ ‪”safety policy that no train with a door fault should leave the station or the depot.”‬

‪LRMC said it would probe the incident and make sure it is “corrected thoroughly to ensure the safety of passengers.”‬ – Rappler.com