The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) yesterday signed two electric rail route contracts , the Pink Line and the Yellow Line, with the BSR Joint Venture worth 100 billion baht.
The new electric rail lines will enable people in Bangkok outskirts, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakarn and surrounding provinces to travel into the inner zones of the capital more conveniently.
They will connect the existing electric train routes and under construction routes namely the Blue Line, Purple Line, Green Line, Orange Line, and Red Line.
Construction of the two rail routes are scheduled to be finished and begin operation in 2020.
Witnessing the signing of the contracts was deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
He said the two projects would be the first pilot projects to be implemented under the government’s public private partnership (PPP) fast track scheme.
This will greatly ease traffic congestions in areas where the Blue Line and the Purple Line are on service.
BSR Joint Venture is 75% held by the BTS Group Holding, while the state-owned MRTA currently oversees the operation MRT subway rail services, the Blue Line and the Purple Line.
The Pink and the Yellow Line projects could be considered as the starting points to complete the mass transportation network in Bangkok.
The 46-billion baht and 34.5 kilometre Pink Line will run from Khae Rai to Min Buri district with 30 stations. It will be monorail system linking Nonthaburi and Bangkok.
The first station will begin at the Government Complex in Nonthaburi.
The interchange will be at the Government Complex which will connect with the Purple Line which run between Bang Yai and Bang Sue. It will also connect the Orange Line at Min Buri station.
The 45-billion baht and 30.4 kilometre Yellow Line will run from the Lat Phrao area to Samrong in Samut Prakan. It will be also monorail system with 23 stations, starting at Ratchada-Lat Phrao station and ending at Samrong station.
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