Bidding for the operation and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) and the Light Rail Transit line 2 (LRT-2) will push through separately by next year, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Initially, DOTr planned to bundle the two major rail projects into one contract package but Jeremy Regino, DOTr undersecretary, recently told reporters that it may not be appropriate to pursue the bundling of the projects as these have different needs and expansion plans.
“Bundling may not be appropriate at this time because the market is different and we still need to rehabilitate and expand MRT-3. The LRT-2 needs to expand to the west going to the South Harbor by 5 kilometers and we need to expand it to the eastern part of Metro Manila,” Regino said.
“The best approach for MRT-3 might not be the same approach for Line 2. So, we’re looking into all options,” he added.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is conducting the feasibility study for the MRT-3, while the International Finance Corp. (IFC) is doing the same for LRT-2
The feasibility studies are expected to be complete dby year-end.
“Actually, the fastest conclusion of that study will be around the end of this year,” Regino said.
DOTr also tapped the ADB and IFC as advisors to finalize the terms and references for the bidding of the rail projects.
This preparation is in light of the 25-year build-lease-transfer contract with the private consortium Metro Rail Transit Corp. set to conclude in July 2025.
DOTr is anticipating to open the bidding for the MRT-3 by the first quarter of next year.
