New app helps LRT-1 commuters plan their trips ahead

Photo shows LRMC officials — Corporate Communications Head Jacqueline Gorospe, Head, President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso, and Information Management and Technology Head Randy Sac — lead the launching ceremony of the ikotMNL app on Nov. 19, 2019. (Photo from LRMC)

MANILA, Philippines — Passengers of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) may now travel with ease with a new mobile app where they could access relevant information on the train line and enable them to plan their trips ahead.

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator of LRT-1, on Tuesday launched the free ikotMNL app which enables commuters to plan their trips ahead.

The app, the first of its kind in the country, will serve as a “convenient one-stop information” for commuters where they can get real-time train arrivals and departures, fare information, and crowd monitoring in all stations.

It also provides information on tourist sports, safety reminders, passenger advisories, news and announcements, a messaging bot for customer service assistance, and a feedback form to help improve train service and passenger experience.

“We constantly look for modern ways to change the way we move people and this ikotMNL app is an innovative tool to delight our passengers with a comfortable, safe, and convenient experience when riding the LRT-1,” LRMC President and CEO Juan Alfonso said in a statement.

The app also promotes local tourism by providing detailed directions on tourist sports near LRT-1 stations and information about partnered local tour operators, the LRMC said.

“We are excited to be part of tourists’ Manila adventures with ikotMNL app and the LRT-1,” Alfonso said.

The LRMC said it is still working on improving and adding more features to the app which, it said, serves as an urban mobility app, transport app, and a lifestyle app.

Future upgrades include partnership with beep card and QR codes for fares and tie-ups with merchants, the firm added.

“We’ve spent a considerable amount of time and effort into making the ikotMNL app the best it can be and this early, we already have more features in mind to add to the app,” LRMC Corporate Communications Head Jacqueline Gorospe said in the same statement.

Edited by JE