DOTC to open qualification docs for P1.7B autofare collection project

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications will conduct on Friday the opening of qualification documents for the P 1.72 billion Contactless Automatic Fare Collection System under the Public-Private Partnership program of the government.

"The Contactless AFCS project will modernize and improve the overall passenger experience at the LRT and MRT systems. Passengers will no longer have to spend so much time lining up just to buy tickets.  They will also be able to seamlessly transfer from one line to another," the DOTC said in a statement.

Prospective bidders will submit their qualification documents for evaluation by the DOTC and the Light Rail Transit Authority tomorrow, in line with the requirements of the Build-Operate-and-Transfer Law.  

Only those proponents which meet the eligibility requirements will qualify to participate in the actual bidding of the project, scheduled to be held in the third quarter of this year, the DOTC said.

"We have spared no effort to make sure that the project will attract many investors, while at the same time ensuring the best service for our people.

"As a result, 34 interested companies purchased Invitation Documents for pre-qualification, although we expect a lower number of participants tomorrow since many of them will have partnered with each other already," the DOTC added.

Among the 34 purchasers is Kystek Corporation, which earlier claimed to have been given the exclusive right by the DOTC to implement a project similar to the AFCS which the DOTC belied.

"Contrary to recent reports, the DOTC never approved Kystek’s unsolicited proposal.  Acceptance of an unsolicited proposal requires no less than the Secretary’s authorization," the DOTC said.

In Kystek’s case, the basis for its claim is an unauthorized letter of acceptance signed by a mere former Director of the Department.

"The fact that Kystek purchased Invitation Documents shows that it is fully aware that its unsolicited proposal was never accepted by the government, and that it is interested to bid for the AFCS Project,” added the DOTC.

President Benigno Aquino III and the National Economic Development Authority board approved the AFCS project  in November 2012.

The project wil introduce a smart card-based technology similar to the Octopus card system in Hong Kong, to make the a more convenient and efficient commute for train passengers in Metro Manila.