Volatile diesel and gasoline prices brought about by the fuel crisis have intensified public sentiment for alternative mobility, particularly public transportation. Amid these calls for better service and reliability, the Department of Transportation is proceeding with the transfer of MRT-3 operations and management to the private sector in 2027, PhilStar.com reports.
Bidding is planned to begin in mid-2027, with the contract also to be awarded within the year. Previous market-sounding activities in Tokyo resulted in at least 26 Japanese firms expressing interest. The prospective private operator will be responsible for upgrading service reliability, improving fleet availability, and shortening wait times.
Earlier this year, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) approved an P8.2 billion loan for a new round of renovations and rehabilitations, including maintenance and safety upgrades. Improvements that were implemented in 2026 include the renovated Quezon Avenue station and the Kamuning EDSA Busway connector.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
These are the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3’s updated operating hours and closing times
EDSA Busway: The DOTr gives bus operators six months to comply with the Left-Door Policy
The MRT-3 runs through EDSA, connecting North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay. On October 21, the rail line recorded a daily ridership high of 506,904 passengers for 2026. Although the LRT-2 was previously bundled with the privatization contract, DOTr acting secretary Giovanni Lopez clarified that the Antipolo-Recto stretch is a separate line entirely, and the MRT-3 will be offered as a standalone rail line.
Meanwhile, work is also continuing on the North-South Commuter Railway, another ongoing major train project. The 27km-long segment from Malanday, Valenzuela to Malolos, Bulacan is scheduled to begin operations also in 2027. A private entity is also expected to take over operations and management, with bidding expected to start by Q2 next year. Full operations across all phases—a 147km stretch from Calamba, Laguna to Clark International Airport—will reportedly be achieved by 2033.
Will a private operator’s management improve the services commuters rely on every day? Let us know what you think in the comments.
