(DC file photo)
MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is preparing to bid out the Php 103.6-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) concession this year, with the contract award targeted by mid-2027 as part of its public-private partnership (PPP) initiative.
According to the DOTr, approximately 100 local and international firms have expressed interest in the project, signaling potential private sector participation in the planned privatization of the railway system.
The proposed concession forms part of the government’s efforts to involve private companies in the development and management of public transportation infrastructure.
Under the PPP initiative, the government aims to attract private sector investment and expertise to support the long-term operation and improvement of MRT-3.
The DOTr is targeting the launch of the bidding process within 2026, followed by the selection and awarding of the concession contract by the middle of 2027.
MRT-3 serves commuters traveling along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), one of Metro Manila’s busiest transport corridors.
The planned concession is expected to play a significant role in the government’s efforts to improve railway services and strengthen the sustainability of Metro Manila’s mass transportation system.
Further details on the bidding requirements, concession terms, and responsibilities of the selected private operator have yet to be announced.
