Bidding for 2 electric monorail lines next year

The transport minister expects tenders to be called for the construction of two monorail lines, in northern and eastern Bangkok, in the second quarter of 2016.

Transport authorities and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) agreed to build the Yellow Line and Pink Line as private-public partnerships, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said.

He said this would allow the government and the private sector to share the risks of the project.

The Yellow Line is planned to stretch 29.1 kilometres from Lat Phrao area in Bangkok southeastward to Sam Rong area in Samut Prakan province, and the Pink Line 34.5km from Kae Rai area in Nonthaburi province to Bangkok’s northeastern district of Min Buri.

ACM Prajin said the government would pay for land expropriation and the private sector would invest in  construction, trains, operations and maintenance of the rail services. There would be a single contract on each line for the private sector’s participation.

The MRTA would study details of the private-public investment and prepare bidding terms, and the two monorail projects would be proposed to the cabinet. If approved, tenders  could be called in the second quarter of next year, the transport minister said.

Regarding the westward Orange Line, 17.5km from the Thailand Cultural Centre to Taling Chan area, ACM Prajin said MRTA officials, soldiers and police would seek support from residents in Prachasongkhro area of Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, this week.

Only 184 local residents were opposing the construction of the railway through the area, he said.