DOTC delays submission of bid papers for MRT-LRT single ticketing system

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has deferred anew the submission of pre-qualification documents for the proposed P1.72-billion single contactless ticketing system for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) by another month.

DOTC undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla said in a bid bulletin that the deadline for the submission and opening of the pre-qualification documents for the Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) project has been moved due to clamor from interested bidders for more time to prepare their qualification documents.

“To give bidders ample time to prepare their qualification documents, the submission and opening of qualification documents is extended to April 12 from March 14,” Lotilla stressed.

Companies that have expressed interest in the bidding include infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), retail giant SM Prime Holdings Inc., conglomerate Ayala Corp., Globe Telecom’s G-Exchange Inc., financial giant Citibank, construction giant DM Consunji, Metrobank’s First Metro Investments Corp., NNT Communications Philippines, and French firm EGIS Projects Philippines.

Other interested bidders include Japan’s Sumitomo and Marubeni Corp., Sagesoft Solutions, Eurolink Network International, Kystek Corp., Systra Philippines Inc., Allcard Plastics Philippines, Lamco Paper Products, Bank of Commerce, AP Trans PMS Prodata, LG CNS Co Ltd, Ayannah Information Solutions Inc., Macquarie Capital Securities Inc, Penta Capital Investment, Kustek Corp, SMS Global Technologies Inc, Eurolink Network International Corp, Affiliated Computer Services, West Avenue Theaters Corp, United Philippine Builders and Supply Company Inc, Neo Tech Asia Distribution Inc, Kenkart and Thales Solutions Asia Pte Ltd.

The MRT-LRT single ticket is envisioned to be like Hong Kong’s Octopus Card, which serves as a debit card, aside from being a stored-value train ticket. The single ticket could also be used for other modes of transportation such as buses, paying toll, electronic banking, and even shopping.

The riding public has long urged government to implement a common ticketing system for the LRT lines 1 and 2 and the MRT 3 as the different ticketing schemes employed in the three mass transport systems have been blamed for the long lines of passengers buying tickets at the train stations.