The Philippine government has considered a shorter concession period of 10 to 15 years for the next Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) operator.

The upcoming MRT-3 concessionaire is poised to oversee the railway until 2040, assuming the government concludes the bidding process in 2025. This concession specifically covers the operations and maintenance of the rail system, while the government is managing the rehabilitation of MRT-3 through loans from Japan. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to allocate PHP 29.6 billion (US$ 532 million) for MRT-3 improvements, supported by a supplemental loan of approximately US$130 million secured in 2023. With the concession under Sobrepeña-led Metro Rail Transit set to expire in 2025, the DOTr is expected to initiate the bidding process this year. Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is considering increasing its stake in the operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) to enhance its bid for the MRT-3 takeover, including the potential acquisition of the Ayalas' 35% share in the LRT-1 operator.