MOU inked to allow BMA to operate Green Line mass transit system

MOU inked to allow BMA to operate Green Line mass transit system



BANGKOK: -- A memorandum of understanding was signed on Monday between the Transport Ministry, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand under which the City Hall will be designated to operate the Green Line mass transit system from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai and to Khu Khot and from Soi Baring to Samut Prakan.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra who signed the MOU on behalf of the BMA described the event as the start of cooperation on new dimension – that is the MRTA is responsible for the construction of the extension of the mass transit system from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai and to Khu Khot and from Soi Baring to Samut Prakan while BMA will operate the system.

He added that this would be the first time that a mass transit system was to be launched outside Bangkok.

MRT board chairman General Yodyuth Boonyathikarn said investment of the two extensions was estimated at about 60 billion baht – 21 billion baht for Baring-Samut Prakan extension and 39 billion baht for the Mor Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot extension.

Construction of the two extensions is now 70 percent completed and to be fully completed next year, said the general, adding that the City Hall’s job is to launch the operations of the two extensions as quick as possible.’

The construction of the Mor Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot extension has required the dismantling of Ratchayothin flyover.

MRT governor Phirayut Singpattanakul said that public utilities at Ratchayothin intersection would be removed after Songkran festival which was a bit behind schedule but it would not affect the timetable of the launch of the service of the extension of the mass transit system.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/157194


-- Thai PBS 2016-03-29