DOTC to publish bidding rules for new train cars for LRT-1 this month

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is planning to publish the notice for the bidding to acquire new train cars for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) this month.

Transport Secretary Joseph Abaya said the DOTC is just waiting for the approval of the Japan International Cooperation Agency of the terms of reference before it can publish the notice.

“We have to get concurrence. Once we get concurrence, we publish,” he said, adding the notice can be issued within the month.

The acquisition of 30 four-car trains or 120 coaches for the LRT-1 will be funded through assistance from the Japanese government.

The procurement of new trains is in line with the P65 billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension project.

Under the project, the existing LRT-1, which covers Roose-velt station to Baclaran station in Metro Manila, will be extended all the way to Niog in Bacoor, Cavite.

The Cavite Extension project was bagged by the Light Rail Manila Consortium (LRMC) composed of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Ayala Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte Ltd.

Under the 32-year cooperation period for the project with the government, LRMC will be responsible for the design, construction and financing of the Cavite Extension.

The LRMC will also be handling the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the integrated system once the project is completed.

Abaya said the DOTC is also looking to transfer the O&M of the LRT-1 to LRMC within the month, following the consortium’s request to takeover the line ahead of the October schedule.

“I think there is mutual interest that they assume earlier which is this month hopefully. We’re working on this month,” he said.