French rail operators and international firms have expressed keen interest in bidding for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the country’s North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) program, signaling the project’s growing corporate and commercial appeal, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
At a market sounding event in Paris, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan described the foreign interest as “encouraging,” noting that major railway operators from countries with expansive rail systems are seriously evaluating participation.
“The market is very interested in participating and eventually bidding for the NSCR concession,” Batan said, adding that the DOTr is prepared to adjust to stakeholder concerns to attract top-tier partners.
Philippine Chargé d’Affaires in France Eric Gerardo Tamayo emphasized the value of tapping into French rail expertise, pointing to France’s extensive and commuter-friendly rail network, which includes subways, regional lines, and high-speed trains.
The NSCR, a P874-billion flagship under the “Build Better More” program, is a 148-kilometer mega railway project spanning 26 cities across Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon. When fully operational, it is expected to serve over 800,000 passengers daily. Partial operations, specifically the Clark to Valenzuela segment, are slated to begin by 2028.
