The Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr) is reviewing an unsolicited proposal from a private rail operator to consolidate and manage the operations of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) under a single concession in Metro Manila.

According to the Acting Transport Secretary, combining the operations of MRT-3 and LRT-1 could be commercially viable due to their interconnected routes along EDSA and the planned Unified Grand Central Station set to open by 2027. MRT-3 carried about 388,000 passengers daily in 2025, while LRT-1 handled nearly 324,000 per day in 2024, making them the busiest rail lines in Metro Manila. 

The review comes amid persistent challenges for Light Rail Manila Corp., the LRT-1 operator, including financial losses from postponed fare increases and right-of-way delays on the Cavite Extension. Experts have said that stronger regulatory implementation, predictable fare structures, and quicker resolution of right-of-way issues are essential to boosting investor confidence in Philippine rail concessions.