DOTr will soon bid out LRT-2 under public-private partnership

MANILA, Philippines — The Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT-2) will soon be bid out under a public-private partnership (PPP) before the end of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Transport chief Vince Dizon made the announcement on Wednesday. 

During his inspection at the Antipolo station of the LRT-2, the secretary was asked if the train line will soon undergo a PPP. 

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READ: DOTr aims to bid out P103 billion MRT-3 concession

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“There were plans, but again, the fare will not increase under a PPP. The government still controls the fare,” Dizon he responded.

“Under the PPP, operations and maintenance will improve, and procurement and maintenance of trains will become faster,” he explained.

Dizon made the comparison: “We can see in the airports, services become better when handled by the private sector. So, that’s what we will do here, but it will take some time.”

The cabinet member gave this information after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier revealed that it is set to bid out the P103.6-billion Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) concession this year.

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Former Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez noted that the MRT-3 will be bid out as a stand-alone line and will not include the LRT-2. 

READ: DOTr lures rail bidders via multilateral backing

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When asked if the DOTr can start the PPP for the LRT-2 this year, Dizon said that it will be a long-term process. 

“It will take some time, but definitely within the term of President BBM [Bongbong Marcos]. That’s his order to bid out under PPP as much as we can,” he added. /apl