DOTr eyes private operator for MRT-3 by 2027 to improve train services

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 22, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is moving forward with plans to place Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) under private management by 2027, with the next operator expected to improve train reliability, increase fleet availability and shorten passenger waiting times.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the government is targeting the completion of the bidding process by the second quarter of 2027 as part of efforts to improve the railway’s operations and maintenance.

The proposed concession, valued at approximately ₱103.6 billion in the latest reported estimate, would transfer responsibility for managing and maintaining MRT-3 services to a qualified private operator.

The project is expected to benefit commuters who rely on the railway for daily travel along EDSA.

MRT-3 serves more than 388,000 passengers daily across 13 stations, making service reliability and train availability important priorities for the DOTr.

Under the proposed arrangement, the winning concessionaire would be responsible for maintaining railway operations while implementing improvements to reduce delays and accommodate passenger demand.

Lopez also confirmed that MRT-3 would be offered as a separate concession rather than being combined with Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2).

The government had previously considered bundling the two railway systems under one contract, but decided to pursue separate bidding processes because of their different operational requirements.

According to GMA News, the DOTr is also advancing the procurement process for LRT-2, alongside MRT-3 and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), under public-private partnership arrangements.

Beyond MRT-3, the department is seeking to complete the bidding process for the NSCR’s operations and maintenance concession by mid-2027.

The NSCR is one of the country’s largest railway infrastructure projects, spanning approximately 147 kilometers from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna.

Once completed, the railway is designed to serve around 800,000 passengers daily, providing a transport connection between Central Luzon, Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.

The government previously approved a ₱229.32-billion public-private partnership arrangement for the NSCR’s operations and maintenance. The railway’s overall development cost was estimated at ₱873.6 billion, with financing support from the Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The DOTr has continued preparations for both railway concessions as it seeks to involve private operators in maintaining and improving major public transport systems.

For MRT-3 passengers, the planned turnover is intended to deliver more dependable train services and shorter waits, although these improvements will depend on the eventual concessionaire’s performance.

The department has yet to announce a winning bidder, with the procurement process targeted for completion in 2027.