DOTC sets deadline for MRT-LRT ticketing bids

MANILA, Philippines - The deadline for the submission of bids for the P1.72-billion automated and contactless single ticketing system for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) has been scheduled on Nov. 18, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced yesterday.

In a bid bulletin Transportation undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla said the deadline for the submission of bids for the automated fare collection system (AFCS) will be on Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.

Companies that were prequalified last May included the AF Consortium led by Ayala Corp. and infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan; Comworks Consortium; E-Trans Solutions Joint Venture Inc.; Megawide-Suyen-Eurolink Consortium; and SM Consortium of retail magnate Henry Sy.

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 AFCS project would bring important benefits to the more than one million daily passengers using the light rail lines ensuring seamless interconnection for travelers and removing the current inconvenience of the need to buy separate tickets for separate lines.

It would allow the operating authorities to develop a service offering that better suit the needs of the passengers through a system similar to Hong Kong, London, the Netherlands, and other countries.