Consortiums bid for Bangkok’s Pink and Yellow MRT lines
Two groups of companies have tendered bids for two mass-transit lines under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme worth 105.4 billion baht in total, according to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).
MRTA governor Peerayudh Singpatanakul said about 16 potential bidders showed interest in the Pink Line and 17 others in the Yellow Line, but only two decided to join the bidding for both the Yellow and Pink lines.
The first consortium was BSR Joint Venture which comprises Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc (RATCH), BTS Group Holding Plc and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc (STEC).
The other was Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Co (BEM), which has the concession to operate the MRT Blue Line and Purple Line subway services.
The Pink Line is a 34.5km route running from Khae Rai to Min Buri worth 53.5 billion baht while the 30.4km Yellow Line valued at 51.9 billion baht links Lat Phrao and Samrong. Both will be built as monorails.
Mr Peerayudh said that a bidding committee is expected to take three months to consider the offers and make decisions with the contract signings likely to take place in April next year.
According to the MRTA governor, both mass-transit lines will be implemented under the PPP model in which the MRTA will cover land expropriation costs and the winners will invest in civil engineering projects, trains, operating systems and maintenance services under 30-year concessions.
He said the contracts for both mass transport schemes will cover a period of 33 years and three months including construction work.
BEM managing director Sombat Kijjalak said the company has joined hands with Ch. Karnchang Plc (CK) in bidding for the two mass-transit projects.
He said that CK, one of the country’s major builders, will be responsible for the civil engineering work while BEM will operate train services if the group wins the bidding.
Mr Sombat said the consortium has a good chance of winning the bidding because it is financially ready and has experience in mass-transit operations.
He also said that the group’s offer, which includes revenue-generating and cost-saving models, met all of the bidding requirements.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1129513/consortiums-bid-for-pink-yellow-lines
