The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is reviewing a proposal from Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), the Pangilinan-led operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1, to complete the long-delayed Unified Grand Central Station, also known as the Common Station.
Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan confirmed on Thursday that the government has received the proposal, but said it still requires careful review since the public-private partnership (PPP) structure could require the private operator to recover its investment.
“We have received their proposal. We are currently reviewing it. Then, we will process it, and our target is by the end of the year to agree with them on how they could help us in finishing the common station,” Batan said.
“Since it's a PPP, there will be reasonable investment recovery. What form it takes is part of the discussions,” he added.
According to Batan, the financial arrangements for the project remain under discussion. He noted that the details are not yet finalized, making any cost estimate premature.
Batan added that the next step is to conclude talks with LRMC and submit the proposal to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development for approval, after which the department will determine the cost.
In March, the DOTr ended the deal with the Unified Grand Central Station consortium, composed of BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co., due to prolonged project delays.
Located along North EDSA in Quezon City, the Common Station is essential for the future of Metro Manila’s transportation network.
The project, initially set for completion in 2020, faced pandemic-related setbacks and has been rescheduled multiple times, yet it remains unfinished.
Once completed, the station will allow seamless transfers between major rail lines and include an integrated intermodal transport system, accommodating buses, jeepneys, and taxis.
