LRT-1 response to the circulating post by a netizen “Mhina C. Fabre” regarding the emergency button inside LRT-1 train

 We sincerely apologize for the unfortunate incident that happened at LRT-1 Monumento Station last 23 August 2023 involving a male passenger who was door pinned while boarding a Gen-1 train of LRT-1 from the station platform, and another passenger who pressed the emergency button inside the train.

Based on the initial incident review, the affected male passenger boarded the train and held on to the door causing his fingers to be caught between the closing doors. We note that among the different generations of LRT-1 trains, the Gen-1 train set was not designed with automatic door sensors. The male passenger was then immediately assisted by the platform security personnel. He was offered to be brought to the LRMC Clinic at Central Station, but he declined and availed of the first-aid treatment at Monumento Station for the minor right thumb injury.

The emergency button inside LRT-1 trains is used to alert the train driver which will bring a train to an emergency stop if an extraordinary situation develops. It is part of regular protocols to assess the cause for door activation via an emergency button before allowing the train to depart to ensure the safety of LRT-1 passengers. The incident occurred around 8:00AM during peak hours on a weekday, with the station experiencing a large volume of passengers, which may have contributed to the misunderstanding between the passengers and LRMC personnel involved.

While LRMC is still completing a more thorough investigation for this isolated incident, we would like to assure the riding public that we do not tolerate disrespectful behavior in the team, and we strive to find solutions to keep improving our services every day. We will likewise reiterate and refresh the customer service training of our staff to prevent future similar incidents.

We also enjoin the riding public to help us in promoting and maintaining a safe public transport system through proper passenger conduct and observance of safety guidelines.