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Published on March 26, 2008

BMCL is the operator of Bangkok's subway, while BTS runs the Skytrain.

According to the government's announcement on the electric rail system, most of the new routes in the first phase will extend from the subway and the Skytrain.

Connecting from the subway will be the Purple Line's Bang Sue-Bang Yai section and the Blue Line's Hualamphong-Bang Khae and Bang Sue-Tha Phra sections.

Extending from the Skytrain

will be the Light Green Line, which links Mo Chit to Saphan Mai and Sukhumvit Soi 107 (Soi Baring) to Samut Prakan.

Following the government's recent announcement of the new rail routes, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) was assigned to negotiate first with contractors to speed up the rolling stock and stations that connect the existing networks. If three new stations are completed, they can begin services gradually without waiting for the entire finished line to open.

The industrial expert said this signalled that the existing operators would have a high possibility of winning the concessions for operating the extended rail routes.

Meanwhile, the government wants lower ticket fares, in order to help passengers. The source said the Skytrain's ticket fares were Bt15 to Bt40 per person per trip, while the subway's fares were Bt14 to Bt36.

If the government allowed the existing operators to operate the extended lines, there would be an economy of scale, and ticket prices could be brought down, said the source. On the other hand, if there is a new operator, ticket fares could rise to Bt45 to Bt80 per person per trip, said the source.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation