Single contract eyed for LRT-1, MRT-3

The country's busiest railways — Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) - could end up being managed by a single group eyeing to operate train services jointly to make them profitable assets.

- By ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES

Light Rail Transit Line 1 connects FPJ (Quezon City) and Dr. A. Santos Avenue (Parañaque) stations. Metro Rail Transit Line 3 runs from North Avenue station in Quezon City to Taft Avenue station in Manila and vice versa.

With tycoons planning to leave the LRT-1 business, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking for creative ways to improve the financial prospects of investing in the rail sector.

The DOTr is reviewing the public-private partnership (PPP) model for rail projects to prevent a repeat of struggles faced by LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).

The DOTr is willing to package the concession agreements for the MRT-3 and LRT-1 into one.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said a private group is now coming up with an unsolicited proposal to operate the two railways.