10 electric rail lines for Bangkok likely to be approved

[webfact]

10 electric rail lines for Bangkok likely to be approved

 

FILE photo

 

BANGKOK, 15th March 2018 (NNT) – The Cabinet is expected to approve all 10 planned electric train systems for Bangkok this year to improve traffic flow in and out of the capital. 

Minister of Transport, Akhom Termpittayapaisit has disclosed that the 16.4 kilometer Thailand Cultural Center-Talingchan Western Orange Line is to be proposed to the Cabinet for a second time this May with both its construction and its operation plans to be presented. The line is currently subject to studies into how it can incorporate private investment. 

Similarly, the Southern Purple Line running 23.6 kilometers between Taopoon-Ratburana is awaiting investment analysis and is expected to be put to the Cabinet by the third quarter of this year. 

Akhom voiced confidence that all 10 electric train systems waiting on Cabinet approval will receive the go-ahead this year as they are crucial to improving travel into and out of Bangkok and reducing road congestion. 

The Ministry of Transport is already looking into drafting its master plan for the third phase of electric rail development, implementing the connection of all public transport systems into a single network. 

On the Denchai-Chiang Kong dual rail system, which recently passed its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and is being considered by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), Akhom said he expects it to be put to the Cabinet this month and become the first dual rail line to go to construction auction.

 

-- nnt 2018-03-15

[Lakegeneve]

This is one of those nonsensical NNT puff stories where they just regurgitate old information is a misleading way and without any context.

 

The context. Both the MRT Purple line southern ext and MRT Orange line western extension have already been approved by Cabinet back in mid 2017. Both were meant to go to tender well before the end of 2017. However, as the govt wants to reduce some of the capital cost of many delayed transport projects (delayed due to their own review processes) they decided last Sept to try build these 2 extensions as PPP projects with private financing. (see post #628, here)

 

This decision has already ensured a 6 month delay in these 2 tenders.....which will more likely end up being a 9-12 month delay by the time the tender occurs.

 

Also, the article fails to mention that of the 10 line Master Plan supposedly "waiting on Cabinet approval", 8 of the lines have already been built or are under construction!! What is happening is that the 10 line Master Plan is being updated for approval - is it NOT 10 new lines being approved!