The bidding for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the privatization of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) are targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2027, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said.
“Based on the timeline, first quarter or second quarter next year,” Lopez told reporters.
Lopez estimated that around seven parties may have participated in the pre-bid process for the NSCR project.
The NSCR is one of the key infrastructure projects expected to help decongest Metro Manila roads. As a flagship project under the “Build Better More” program, it is a mega railway network spanning 148 kilometers, featuring 37 stations and 464 train cars across three segments: PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark), and PNR Calamba (Solis-Calamba).
The mass transport system will run across 26 cities and municipalities in Central Luzon, the National Capital Region, and Calabarzon.
The project aims to serve over 800,000 passengers daily once fully operational, with the Clark to Valenzuela segment of the NSCR System scheduled to begin operations by 2028.
Regarding the MRT-3, Lopez said the DOTr has already submitted the proposed privatization to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, with the O&M procurement targeted for next year.
“Hopefully next year,” he said, referring to the O&M arrangements for the two railway projects.
Lopez estimated that the MRT-3 privatization bidding process could be completed by the second quarter of 2027.
The DOTr previously said at least 26 Japanese firms expressed interest in investment opportunities under the MRT-3 Capacity Expansion, Operations and Maintenance PPP during a market-sounding activity held in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Lopez said the government will consider bidding out the O&M contract for the Metro Manila Subway only after completing a market-sounding activity.
Financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Metro Manila Subway carries an approved total project cost of P488.48 billion. The 33.103-kilometer underground railway is designed to cut travel time between Valenzuela City and NAIA Terminal 3 from more than 90 minutes to about 41 minutes.
The entire subway system is engineered to operate 30 eight-car trainsets at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, with full project completion targeted for the third quarter of 2031.
The Metro Manila Subway is planned to feature 17 stations serving the route from Valenzuela City toward Parañaque City, with the line extending to Bicutan Station in Taguig City and a spur connecting to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City.