Bidders sought for P10 billion LRT upgrade, extension

MANILA, Philippines — The government will bid out the P10-billion project to overhaul the train cars of Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and extend the rail line up to Tondo in Manila.

Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said they would entertain proposals from the private sector to rehabilitate the LRT-2 train cars, maintain the rail line, and expand it by at least three stations.

He said the decision to turn to the private sector for financing assistance is in line with the Marcos administration’s policy to complete infrastructure projects via the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

However, Chavez said the government has yet to find a funding source for the LRT-2 West Extension Project that involves stretching the rail line by 3.02 kilometers to the west of the Recto Station. The project is estimated to cost P10.12 billion.

“We don’t have the budget yet for the extension. Following the thrust of President Marcos and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, we want the project to be done through PPP,” Chavez said.

“What will happen there is that whoever takes on the project will rehabilitate the train cars. They will also do the maintenance of the units. They will also construct the west extension. It will be a three-in-one package. We will offer it to whoever wants it in the private sector,” he said.

State-run Light Rail Transit Authority, the operator of LRT-2, hopes that the procurement for the design and build contract for the extension project will be awarded before the year ends.

The project seeks to extend the LRT-2 by adding three new stations: Tutuban, Divisoria and Pier 4. Apart from the acquisition of right-of-way, the extension includes the purchase of five new trains with four-car configurations.

Chavez said LRT-2 recorded a peak daily ridership of 239,000 when the rail line opened its new stations to the east, Marikina and Antipolo. Based on projections, ridership in the LRT-2 will go up to as high as 300,000 a day upon the completion of the west extension.

Ridership in the LRT-2 is estimated to almost triple to 34.2 million this year from 11.84 million a year ago due to the resumption of in-person classes next month.