The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to bid out the ₱103.6-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) concession this year as it pursues the line’s privatization, with the concession award targeted by mid-2027.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the project will be undertaken through a public-private partnership, with the DOTr retaining its authority over fares.

Under the concession agreement, payments to the concessionaire will be linked to the delivery of services and compliance with prescribed performance standards.

The concession will also support the modernization of MRT-3 through the refleeting of trains and resignaling of the system to improve capacity, reliability, and operational efficiency.

Performance standards will cover train availability and reliability, on-time performance, and the cleanliness and proper maintenance of trains and facilities, ensuring that the private operator is held accountable for the quality of service delivered to commuters.

MRT-3 serves more than 388,000 passengers daily across 13 stations along EDSA.

The transport chief added that MRT-3 will be offered to the private sector as a stand alone line, and will not be bundled with the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2).

To attract investors, the DOTr in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has been conducting market-sounding activities throughout the year, including those held in Singapore and Tokyo.

In these engagements, the DOTr presents the MRT-3 Capacity Expansion, Operations and Maintenance Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project to potential international investors. About 100 local and international companies have expressed interest in the project. DOTr