The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) wants the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT) to take over the responsibility of investing in new mass transit infrastructure projects in Bangkok, said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Thursday.
It is because the BMA has many other responsibilities to tend to, such as education, garbage disposal, cleanliness and improvement of the quality of life of people in the capital, the governor said.
He believed that the MRT is suitable for and capable of investing in new mass transit projects.
The projects, currently being studied and to be implemented by the BMA, include the Grey Line monorail train service between Watcharaphol and Thong Lor, the Blue Line light rail transit system between Bang Na and Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the extension of the Green Line from Bang Wa to Taling Chan.
All three projects are estimated to need a combined investment of about Bt150 billion, including about Bt27.5 billion for the 16.3-km long Grey Line, Bt130 billion for the Blue Line, which includes Bt36 billion for the infrastructure and electrical system and Bt6.7 billion for the carriages, and about 91 billion baht for operating and maintenance costs.
The investments in the projects will be in the form of a public-private partnership (PPP), with 30-year concession contracts.
Governor Chadchart said the BMA will submit its proposal for the MRT to take over the remaining mass transit projects to the Interior Ministry for consideration before it is sent to the cabinet for finalization.
