The contract was signed in Manlia on Febraury 12 by LRMC president and CEO Mr Jesus Francisco, Bouygues CEO Mr Christian Gazaignes, and Mr Dominique Pouliquen, Alstom's senior vice president, Asia Pacific.

The contract encompasses modernisation of the existing 20.7km north-south line from Roosevelt to Baclaran and equipping the 11.7km southern extension to Cavite, which is due to open in 2020.

Alstom's share of the contract is worth €160m and includes signalling and communications, traction, power supplies, and trackwork, including the existing depot and a new depot on the extension. Alstom will also supply its Atlas 100 onboard signalling equipment for 60 trains and upgrade signalling on the existing section of the line.

The Philippine Department of Transport and Communications (DOTC) has set a deadline of February 16 for the submission of bids for a contract to supply new LRVs for the extended line. The tender is only open to Japanese suppliers as the procurement is being financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).