The Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to privatize Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) in 2027 under a ₱103.6-billion concession that will place railway operations, maintenance and infrastructure improvements under a private operator.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the government is targeting the second quarter of 2027 to award the concession, with bidding also planned for midyear. The winning bidder will be responsible for increasing train availability, reducing passenger waiting times and upgrading the railway’s signaling, depot, power and communication systems.
In May, the DOTr reported that 74 local and foreign companies had expressed interest in the project during market-sounding activities conducted with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). MRT-3 currently serves more than 388,000 passengers daily across 13 stations along EDSA.
The government previously privatized Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) in 2015, when Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) assumed operations and maintenance under a 32-year concession agreement. Since the takeover in September 2015, LRT-1 has undergone station rehabilitation, signaling upgrades and fleet improvements.
In January 2025, LRMC president and chief executive officer Enrico Benipayo reported that the number of operational light rail vehicles had increased by 87 percent, from 77 in 2015 to 144. The company also reported reducing the railway’s round-trip travel time from 106 minutes in 2015 to 91 minutes in 2024.
LRT-1 expanded from 20 to 25 stations following the opening of the first phase of the Cavite Extension in November 2024, adding five stations in Parañaque City. The extension added approximately six kilometers to the railway network, connecting Baclaran to Dr. Santos station, while the remaining phases intended to extend the line farther into Cavite have yet to be completed.
Under the LRT-1 concession agreement, fare adjustments require government approval, meaning LRMC cannot independently implement fare increases without authorization from the DOTr.
