Gov't eyes bidding for LRT-2, MRT-3 contracts in early 2026

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) aims to start the bidding process for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) within the first half of 2026.

- Ashley Erika O. Jose

“The bidding of LRT-2 (O&M contract) will definitely be by the first half of next year. We will be submitting it to DEPDev (Department of Economy, Planning, and Development) simultaneously with the bidding of MRT-3,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan told reporters on the sidelines of Arangkada Investments Forum 2025 last week.

The government is adopting a dual track for the privatization of the MRT-3, he said, noting the DoTr will not turn away any unsolicited proposals while it is soliciting bids.

The government is targeting to implement the solicited bidding process for the MRT-3 project by early next year, Mr. Batan said.

“We are on dual track for MRT-3. We are pursuing a solicited together with the ADB (Asian Development Bank). But we are also open to unsolicited proposals,” he said.

The Transportation department has also hinted at receiving an unsolicited proposal for the operations and maintenance of MRT-3, though Mr. Batan declined to name the proponent, referring only to the group as one of the “usual suspects.”

“We actually think that a proposal, an unsolicited proposal will be submitted very soon. So, once that is submitted, we will definitely look at that seriously,” he said.

Mr. Batan said a proponent has expressed interest, but a formal proposal has yet to be submitted.