Transportation department readies 4th PPP deal

The transportation department has started inviting bidders for its fourth public private partnership project involving a P2.5-billion public transportation hub in southern Metro Manila.

The project, called the Integrated Transport System Project-Southwest Terminal, aims to provide a central hub for all modes of transportation.

The Department of Transportation and Communication has set the bid submission for May 15, 2014, based on the agency’s invitation to bid.

The project, to be located in a 2.9-hectare property, will connect passengers from Cavite to urban transportation vehicles like the Light Rail Transit Line 1, public buses, jeeps and taxis. The terminal will also include a passenger terminal building, arrival and departure bays, public information systems, ticketing and baggage handling facilities and park-ride facilities.

“This terminal will ensure effective interconnection between different transport modes and services and thus ensure efficient and seamless travel for the commuting public,” the DOTC said in the invite.

It said that one of the terminals will be located near the Manila-Cavite Expressway.

The winning bidder will finance, design, build, operate and maintain the facility for 35 years under the so-called build-transfer-operate scheme.

The facility, once completed to the department’s specifications, will be turned over to the DOTC.  But under the agreement, the winning concessionaire will continue to operate the project on behalf of the DOTC in accordance with certain performance standards and specifications.