Ministry of Transport plans to submit proposals for the expansion of Bangkok’s Line within 2024
Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote said the Ministry of Transport plans to submit proposals for the expansion of the Red Line to the cabinet within this year.
The proposed extensions comprise three routes, totaling an estimated cost of 21.8 billion baht:
– An 8.8-kilometer stretch from Rangsit to Thammasat University Rangsit Campus, encompassing four stations, with an estimated cost of 6.5 billion baht.
– A 14.8-kilometer stretch from Taling Chan to Salaya, including six stations, with an estimated cost of 10.7 billion baht.
– A 5.7-kilometer stretch from Taling Chan to Siriraj Hospital, comprising three stations, with an estimated cost of 4.6 billion baht.
The Rangsit-Thammasat route awaits cabinet approval, with bidding expected to commence this year. Construction is projected to begin by late 2024 or early 2025, targeting operational readiness by early 2028.
The Taling Chan-Salaya and Taling Chan-Siriraj routes are also pending cabinet approval. However, Surapong noted delays due to necessary revisions but affirmed the ministry’s intention to propose these projects to the cabinet within the current year.
Regarding the procurement progress of locomotives by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the SRT is currently in the process of selecting technologies and is considering the acquisition of hybrid locomotives, which are widely used internationally, including in Germany. The future plan involves deploying electric locomotive systems within a 200-kilometer radius of Bangkok, with diesel locomotive systems to be used beyond this area. The SRT aims to finalize these plans within the current year, with implementation scheduled for 2028.
Source: Thai Examiner on twitter
