Privatization of LRT, MRT operations eyed

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) wants to privatize the operations of three commuter rail systems in Metro Manila in one to two years by bidding out concession contracts similar to those covering tollways.

Glicerio V. Sicat, DOTC undersecretary for the aviation and rail sectors, told BusinessWorld in a telephone interview last Friday the new administration was looking at ways to get the private sector involved in the maintenance of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3.

“It will take us one to two years to finish the feasibility study. At present, we are looking at various schemes like a concessionaire doing operations and maintenance with the government owning the tracks,” he said.

Line 1 runs from Monumento in Caloocan to Baclaran in Pasay while Line 2 runs from Santolan in Pasig to Recto in Manila. The MRT 3 runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay.

Mr. Sicat als said the government would push through with the takeover of the MRT 3 through a buyout of the Sobrepeña-led Metro Rail Transit Corp., whose build-operate-transfer contract has been costing the government millions in subsidies.

“We will get three concessionaires for the three existing rail transit [systems]. It is an option to [create] a regulating body … like what we have for the tollways,” the official said.

Mr. Sicat said LRT 1 and 2 would have a single ticketing system before the start of extension projects.

Early this month, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said it had acquired more than 60% of land needed for the LRT Line 1 South Extension project that will start from the existing line’s last station at Baclaran in Parañaque up to Bacoor, Cavite.

The LRTA said that as of June, 140,623.50 square meters (sq. m.) or 60.67% of the 231,767 sq. m. required had been bought. The project will extend the 15- kilometer LRT Line 1 system southward by an additional 11.7 kilometers.

The extension will initially include eight new passenger stations with a provision for two more. A satellite depot for light rail vehicle storage and maintenance will be built at the southern end of the proposed extension. The project cost is expected to exceed P50 billion.

There is a plan to extend LRT Line 2 by four kilometers to the Masinag Market in Antipolo, which will involve the construction of two more train stations. — Aura Marie P. Dagcutan, Businessworld