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SKYTRAIN NEWS 2003
This is very critical moment since the demand for extensions has grown to a critical point, but creditors just try to squeeze profits from the existing routes while prohibiting BTSC from investing on extensions--unless BTSC allows creditors to take over the system which can be sold to N-Park. Even though the integration of mass transit system is a must, it is too bad it has to be accomplished like this. Related: N-Park aiming to takeover BTS to expand their real estate business - Prachachart Thurakij, December 22-24, 2003 & Natural Park major shareholder in BMCL - Than Setthakij, December 18 - 20, 2003 Siemens
eyes rolling stock plant - Bangkok Post,
December 29, 2003 Balance sheet of BTSC -
translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Matichon Daily,
December 20, 2003 BTS
finally rolling into the black - Bangkok
Post, December 20, 2003 Kasem Jatikawanit (AKA Mr. Super K - the Chairman of BTSC Board of Directors) said BTSC will be back to offer an IPO by the end of 2004 after the balance sheet turns profitable by 6-700 million baht--the first year profitable due to a10% increase of passengers. BTSC considers the MRTA subway as the one factor that boosts more passengers for the Skytrain and is not a rival at all. BTSC will do their best to speed up the Taksin Extension to be done by the end of 2004. So far, BTSC gets annual revenue of 2.5 billion baht with a .0.6-0.7 billion baht profit--10% expansion of revenue with 1.3 billion baht in cash. Thus be able to pay 75-80% of the current interest rate which is 1.5 billion baht a year. Furthermore, BTSC feels convinced that they can cut down the principle of 30 billion baht by 15% (4.5 billion baht) enabling BTSC to be able to offer an IPO in the booming stock market by the end of December 2004. BTSC decides to invest 1.6 billion baht on the 2.2 km Taksin extension which will boost Skytrain passengers by 30,000 a day with a revenue of 600,000 baht more a day (an 8% increase). BTSC will invest 5-6 billion baht in the 8.9-km Samrong extension. It will require 900 days to construct the route. BTSC negotiating with creditors - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath, December 20, 2003 Kasem Jatikawanit (AKA Mr. Super K - the Chairman of BTSC Board of Directors) told correspondents from Thairath that after four years service BTSC has become profitable for the first time. The average daily passengers is 360,000 a day - the annual revenue is at 2.5 billion baht, the expense is 3.9 billion baht and profit from exchange rates is 2.0 billion baht with net profit of 0.7 billion baht. BTSC expects a growth in passengers of 8% due to the surging demands and economic prosperity. For the investment on extensions, BTSC is negotiating with Siam Commercial Bank PCL, KfW, and IFC (three major creditors) to restructure the debts of 32 billion baht. Initially the three major creditors refused to negotiate with BTSC, but now they began to see the point to restructure the debts to enable BTSC to invest on the extensions and thus boost revenue to be able to pay off debts to the creditors faster. There are three major points for debt restructure: 1) Trimming debts by 1.1) writing off the 4.5 billion baht outstanding interest 1.2) writing off the 4.5 billion baht of the current 30 billion baht principle 1.3) Cutting down the capital 2) Turning debts into equity to enable the creditors to grab more share on BTSC--proportional to the debts BTSC owes 3) Extending the debt payment from 2011 to 2017 BTSC hopes that the creditor will agree with the BTSC debt restructure plan by the end of 2004. After that, BTSC will offer an IPO to capitalize the stock and get more funds (at least 6 billion baht) to invest in the Samrong Extension as well as other future extensions. BTS finally sees a profit, but interest debts loom - The Nation, December 20, 2003 Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS), which runs the capital's Skytrain, yesterday announced a projected net profit of up to Bt700 million for this year on revenue of Bt2.5 billion. Using negotiation as a way to
speed up the Skytrain extensions - translated
and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews, December
2, 2003
The details of the new Skytrain extensions - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Siam Thurakij, October 19-25, 2003
The Rattanakosin Extension will go along Rama I Road and then turn right to go along Bunthatthong Road (Rama VI Road) before going parallel with Saensaeb canal and Mahanak canal to Saphan Phan Fah Bridge. Then it will go along Ratchananada canal and pass the back of BMA City hall to reach Sanam Luang at Rattanakosin Hotel (a hotel nearest to Sanam Luang). After that, the route goes underground from Sanam Luang to Pinklao via underground tunnel and Siriraj. BMA feels confident that BMA could undertake the construction tasks without financial problems and without delay using local tax revenue. However, BMA needs to get some help from MRTA to dug the tunnels by making a joint venture. However, BMA has to suspend the proposed 20-km Airport Link (with a budget of 20.354 billion baht) since SRT is going to deal with that matter. Therefore, BMA should focus on upgrading the facility at Phayathai for linking with the Airport Commuter (Phayathai - NBIA) with comfort. Commentary by Wisarut: It seems to me that BMA may come up with the extension from Bang Na to Wat Sri Lam and beyond (at least to Hua Mark Railway Station) once SRT has completed the Airport Rail Link as a way to make a feeder line and pick up passengers at SEACON Square. Going into Rattanakosin Island from Phadung Krung Kasem canal (e.g. from Bo Bae market--the place where Saen Saeb Canal and Phadung Krungkasem Canal intersect) are required to be underground according to the 1995 cabinet resolution. However, BMA seems to ignore this fact. Expect to face strong protest from temples along the route. Therefore, I think BMA should plan for doubling the estimated budget for National Stadium - Pinklao section from 17.7 billion Baht to 35 billion baht as the way to pay for the double tunnels and subway stations from Bunthat Thong to Pin Klao. Skytrain extension from National
Stadium to Siriraj Hospital - translated
and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews, October
10, 2003 Who will win contracts for Skytrain
extensions and who will complain - translated
and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Prachachart Thurakij,
Vol. 27, No. 3521 Planning Skytrain passenger levels
- translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily
- September 23, 2003 Skytrain gets go-ahead
for line extension - Bangkok Post, September
23, 2003 Proposing
a walkway along the Skytrain route at Ratprasong
- translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath
Daily, Sept 18, 2003 BMA
to receive 26.5 billion baht from 30-year Skytrain concession
- translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews,
September 9, 2003 Skytrain extensions being studied--possibly
ready by 2007 - translated and summarized
by Wisarut Bholsithi from Siam Turakij, August 31- September
6, 2003 BMA
launches bid for Skytrain extensions - The
Nation, August 27, 2003 Five
firms seek B9.5bn deal - Bangkok Post,
August 16, 2003 The five contractors competing
for BTS extensions - translated and summarized
by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews - August 11, 2003 Constructing the three Skytrain-Subway
interchanges - translated and summarized
by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews, July 28, 2003
Filipino Skytrain anecdote
- July 22, 2003 Who will run the Skytrain extensions?/Two
new extensions to be studied - translated
and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews, July
24, 2003 Samrong officials
agree to Samrong Skytrain Extension - translated
and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thrairath Daily &
Dailynews, July 23, 2003
Mr. Thana Cheerawinij (member of the BMA City Council- Democrat) heads a special committee to handle the 8.9-km Samrong extension of Skytrain for BMA - with a price of 9.2 billion Baht - and held a meeting with Samrong officials. During the meeting, the representatives from Samut Prakarn such as Deputy Governor of Samut Prakarn Wijarn Phadungwithee and Muang Samut Pracharn District Director Chen Chuensiwa complained that Samut Prakarn City Hall and the district office have not received data about Skytrain extension to Samut Prakarn to explain to local people. BMA Deputy Governor Sanan Tothong responded to the complaints from the representatives of Samut Prakarn that the Skytrain extension to Samut Prakarn will have strong benefit to all, not just the Bangkokians. Actually, BMA has been cooperative with the Samut Prakarn City Hall, but maybe sporadically. Nevertheless, the Deputy Governor of Samut Prakarn has told those who attended the meeting that the Municipality of North Samrong has unanimously approved the Samrong extension along Sukhumvit Road. Furthermore,the district office of Samut Prakarn also will allow BTSC to construct a park and ride facility on 14 rai of land behind the District Office of Muang Samut Prakarn. BTSC will have to come up with a feeder bus to pick passengers up from the park and ride to Samrong Station - until the Skytrain is extended to Samut Prakarn City Hall in the future. The only worrying thing would be the foundation laying around Erawan Shrine. The vibration during the construction and after opening the service could have very detrimental effects on the structure of Erawan Shrine which has a 200-metric ton copper statue of Erawan. Mr. Thana responded that BMA will ask the contractor to use foundation pins to reduce the detrimental effect during the construction toward the Erawan Shrine. Nevertheless, BMA has attached the provision that if the structure of the Erawan Shrine suffers during the construction or after the opening of the service on December 5, 2006, the consultants and the contractors will take full responsibility to fixing the shrine. BMA also asks BTSC to freeze the ticket price to the 10-40 baht level as the way to gain benefit from both sides due to an additional 100,000 passengers as well as the convenient transportation for locals. Bidding for the
Skytrain extensions in October - ITD/Ch. Karnchang are apparent winners
- translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi
from Prachachart Thurakij, July 21-23,
2003
The bidding process for Skytrain extensions will be held on October 3, 2003 - after purchasing the form BMA Traffic Bureau from July 18-August 4, 2003 separated into 3 sections - with a total price of 9.2 billion baht. 1) Samrong Extension - Bang Na Section (or Bangkok Section) - Onnut to Soi Bearing (Sukhumvit 107 - the Boundary Pole) - 5.25 km with a price of 3.875 billion baht. 2) Samrong Extension - Samrong Section (or Samut Prakarn Section) Soi Bearing (Sukhumvit 117) - Soi Wat Trai Samakkhi (Sukhumvit 119) - about 100-200 meters before reaching Erawan Shrine - 3.65 km and a new depot and maintenance center to allow more space to store the next batch of rolling stock in the future with a total price of 4.296 billion baht 3) Taksin Extension - from Saphan Taksin to Taksin Intersection. 2.2 km 1.036 billion baht Rama III Extension is on the hold since it has less passengers than expected. For the service, BTSC will be called first - If BTSC declines - the new bid to take over the Skytrain services will be held. So far, the government has approved 600 million baht to handle the extensions. BMA has the responsibility to handle the extensions to be ready for service in December 2006 for Samrong extension and December 2004 for the Taksin Extension. The Taksin extension is already using a modified structure - speeding up the construction - and only the two stations will be built. On the other hand, it is necessary to construct new pillars in the middle of Sukhumvit Road for Samrong extensions so it is necessary to remove all the infrastructure from the construction area - need to construct the new one before removing the old one to prevent service interruption. There will be 7 stations for the Samrong Extension: 1) Sukhumvit 97 (Soi Saeng Duen or Bangchak [Much better known name] - near Sukhumvit 62 (the gate to the expressway) 2) Sukhumvit 101 (Soi Punnawithi) - should named be Thammamongkhol according to the well-known place near the station - can be moved to Sukhumvit 101/1 to connect to the station with Food Lion and Piyarom Sport Club near Sukhumvit 101/1 - but the station should not be on the curve of Sukhumvit Road) 3) Sukhumvit 103 (Umdomsuk) - could be readjusted to become a new interchange if BTSC is keen enough to deal with Highway Dept. to construct an Airport Extension to NBIA (according to a 1995 plan). However, such an idea has been stalled due to the high price tag--30 billion baht for a route to the southern part of the airport--from Bang NA to NBIA-15 kilometers and another 6 kilometers from Bangna-Trat Highway (Km 15) (total 21 km). The price could become 40-50 billion baht if BTSC decides to add another 8 kilometers to reach the underground Main Terminal of NBIA. 4) Department of Meteorology (or BITEC even though it is closer to Department of Meteorology since BITEC is much better known - needs to have a via duct to link the station with BITEC) 5) Sukhumvit 107 (Soi Bearing - the Boundary Pole) 6) Sukhumvit 111 (Soi Porn Sawang Village - the first station in Samut Prakarn - with a connection to Imperial World Samrong, Samrong Plaza on one side and Food Lion and Super Safe on the other side) - should be named Wat Dan Samrong (Sukhumvit 113) since it is much better known - or Samrong Nuea to cover the area 7) Sukhumvit 115 (Soi Aphichard - not far from Poochao Samingprai Intersection, Carrefour, Chainiom Building, National-Panasonic [Thailand]) - Terminal Station - Samrong Tai) The rest from Sukhumvit 117 (Soi Phanuwongse) to Sukhumvit 119 (Soi Wat Trai Samakkhi) will be the tracks for future extension to Paknam. The depot should on the vacant area next to Hitachi Transport System Co. Ltd. Taksin extension will be 2 stations: 1) Charoen Nakhon - 500 meters from Charoen Nakhon Intersection 2) Krung Thonburi - 300-1300 meters from Charoen Nakhon Station These two stations are not finalized yet. BTSC will run the service as the way to extend the current services to get 100,000 more daily passengers. However, the discussion between BTSC and BMA about the service will be held after choosing the winner of the construction of the extensions. The TOR for the Skytrain extension already fixes the winners and bars other competitors who can offer better prices by making the following conditions: 1) Having worked on the interchanges, bridge, concrete elevated ways longer than 35 meters 2) Having been awarded single contracts valued at more than 750 million baht or 1.1 billion baht for multiple contracts. 3) Having finished the work within 10 years 4) Having worked on Skytrain or Subway in Thailand at a price not less than 500 million baht or 750 million baht within a 10 year period. Such TOR will allow only the 5-6 contractors including double giants ITD and Ch. Karnchang, STECON, Kamphaengphet Vivat and Chainant. If this collusion goes according to the plan, ITD (previous projects: BTSC Skytrain and MRTA Subway) and Ch. Karnchang (previous projects: Expressways and MRTA Subway) will be clear winners and STECON could be a good contender due to having worked on the Phaseecharoen Elevated Way. Note: If the Bangkok Ring Railway is to become a reality, the intermediate station between Poochao Saming Phrai Intersection and Thepharak Intersection must be constructed to function as an interchange between the BTSC Skytrain and Bangkok Ring Railway. Tale of two newspapers:
Skytrain extensions - July 18, 2003
Once again, regular 2Bangkok.com readers will have read about it first. The Post today has a generalized article (or maybe 'polite' is a better word) that mentions the Skytrain extensions bid and a 'proposed detour' for the route (Contractors invited to extend routes, Bangkok Post, July 18, 2003). The real story (that we first ran on Wednesday) is that the controversial bid excludes all but two companies and the request for a detour is widely believed to be an attempt to protect vested interests in the shoddy bus services in Samut Prakan (Only two companies allowed to bid on Skytrain extensions - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath Daily, July 16, 2003). Also: After days of printing articles on how the Laem Phak Bia Project (the 50km bridge over the Gulf of Thailand) would not hurt the environment and local people loved it (which was not what most sources were reporting), the Post today printed an unusually cheeky editorial on the project (Thaksin foments a battle all his own, Bangkok Post, July 18, 2003). Calling a bid for
Samrong and Taksin Skytrain extensions -
translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews,
July 17 2003
BMA Traffic Bureau is going to invite contractors to submit a bid for the Samrong and Taksin extensions from July 18 to August 4, 2003. - The bidding process will be held on August 4, at 11:05 AM. There will be three sections: 1) Samrong Extension - Bangkok Side (Onnut - Bearing) 5.25 km 2) Samrong Extension - Paknam Side (Bearing - Samrong) 3.65 km plus depot near Thepharak Intersection Total budget for Samrong section is 12.35732 billion baht - for the elevated tracks, 6-7 stations, rail systems, land allocation and infrastructure removal. 3) Taksin Extension - Saphan Taksin - Taksin Intersection 2.2 km - the budget will be 2.66140 billion baht - for the construction of 2 stations and the rail systems - after Sinothai has modified the track to Phetkasem (so far it is 95% done). The Taksin extension will be ready for service on December 5, 2004. For the case of the protest from the North Samrong Municipality, BMA Traffic Bureau Director said it is impossible to construct a detour to go along Sanphawut Road and then along Old Paknam Railway Road since Paknam Railway Road and Sanphawut Road are too narrow! Also there would be a need to expropriate land and make a new EIA. Furthermore, the track along Sanphawut and Olad Paknam Railway Road has too few passengers. If North Samrong Municipal still opposes popular demand by not allowing BMA, the contractor can construct the Samrong extension along Sukhumvit Road and the second section of Samrong extension (Bearing - Samrong) will not be constructed. [We earlier ran a story that indicated that the request for a detour for the SKytrain route is widely believed to be an attempt to protect vested interests in the shoddy bus services in Samut Prakan (Only two companies allowed to bid on Skytrain extensions - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath Daily, July 16, 2003).] BMA also asks the government via Ministry of Interior to modify the terms from 100% private investment to 65% central and 35% local government - to be submitted to the cabinet in early August. BTSC declines to invest on the construction since the company got burnt by USD $1.2 billion in debts. The company will only focus on service. Samrong and Taksin extension will increase daily passengers by 100,000 from the current 320,000 passengers per to 420,000 passengers a per day. Even though the company has the right to raise the fee from the current 10 to 40 baht a trip to 10 to 50 baht a trip according to the contract, the company will initially not raise the fee to the highest level to prevent a drain of passengers. After all the extensions are done around 2007, BTSC will discuss with BMA about raising the fee to finance further extensions and pay off the debts. Commentary by Wisarut: Even though the company has right to raise fees, they should also use the new routes as a way to deal with fees -> 10+3 baht/km is not a good deal at all! It should be this way: Circa 2007 Zone 1 - 10 baht Mochit - Senaruam (Future Station) Zone 2 - 15 baht Mochit - Sanam Pao Zone 3 - 20 baht Mochit - Phaythai Zone 4 - 25 baht Mochit - Siam Zone 5 - 30 baht Mochit - National Stadium, Mochit - Ploenchit, Mochit - Saladaeng Zone 6 - 35 baht Mochit - Asok, Mochit - Sueksa Witthaya (Future Station) Zone 7 - 40 baht Mochit - Thong Lor, Mochit - Saphan Taksin Zone 8 - 45 baht Mochit - Phra Khanong, Mochit - Taksin Intersection Zone 9 - 50 baht Mochit - Bangchak and Beyond, and Mochit - Tha Phra and Beyond If this version is too much for the passengers (those who travel very long routes will suffer because they would end up subsidizing those who take very short route), this version could be used: Circa 2007 Zone 1 - 10 baht Mochit - Ari Zone 2 - 15 baht Mochit - Phaythai Zone 3 - 20 baht Mochit - National Stadium, Mochit - Chitlom, Mochit - Ratchadamri Zone 4 - 25 baht Mochit - Asok, Mochit - Surasak Zone 5 - 30 baht Mochit - Ekkamai, Mochit - Taksin Intersection Zone 6 - 35 baht Mochit - Bangchak, Mochit - Thoedthai Zone 7 - 40 baht Mochit - BITEC, Mochit - Phetkasem Zone 8 - 45 baht Mochit - Samrong Tai Zone 9 - (50 baht) will be reserved for the Paknam Extension, as well as Lam Look Extension and even Bangkok Ring Railway - if implemented. Using MRTA and Skytrain will be counted as going to the New Zone thus paying 5 baht more. BTW, the maximum fee for the Taipei Mass Transit System is NT$ 65 (about 78 baht)! However, they have issued NT$ 150 daily pass (180 baht) for convenience. Notes on the Skytrain
extensions - July 17, 2003
We had quite a bit of email asking about the article we ran yesterday: Only two companies allowed to bid on Skytrain extensions. Wisarut Bholsithi answers some of the questions: 'Local criticism' to the Skytrain comes from local vested interests in Samut Prakarn who have concessions or other interests from the municipality to run the "tin cans with wheels" (shoddy private buses with drivers under influence of speed pills). They ask BTSC and BMA to reroute the track from Sukhumvit 107 (Soi Bearing - the Boundary Pole) to go along Sanphawut Road and then turn left to go along Old Paknam Railway Road until it reaches Samrong Tai as the way to protect their own vested interests. However such action by the North Samrong Municipality has drawn heavy criticism from local people who have suffered from shoddy services of private buses. Look at the response to North Samrong Municipal here and ask Thai friends to translate the bad raps for you! BTW: The first section of Samrong extension (Onnut - Bearing) will have to be constructed first due to strong demand from those who live in the Bang Na area and it is all in BMA jurisdiction, so there will be no construction problems. The second section (Bearing - Samrong Tai) can be constructed later on after those who live in Samut Prakarn have voted to kick certain members out of the Paknam and North Samrong Municipal council. For the case of Erawan Shrine, don't worry, the Skytrain will give a due respect to the shire and find a way to deal with the Skytrain extension once it reaches Sukhumvit 119 near Erawan Shrine. Only two companies allowed to bid on Skytrain extensions - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath Daily, July 16, 2003 The sewage drains at Klong Saen Saeb have drawn heavy criticism of collusion and bid fixing. The bid calling for Skytrain extensions has also draw heavy criticism since the specifications only allow two construction giants (ITD and Ch. Karnchang) to participate in the deal. 1) ONLY companies registered as First Class Road Construction and First Class Building Construction for BMA 2) ONLY those who finished the elevated way as well as the bridges are allowed! 3) ONLY those who constructed the Skytrain and Subway would be eligible for Skytrain extensions! 4) Joint Ventures for those who want to qualify for the project will need to have the main company be 50% of the Joint Venture. The Project will be as follows: 1) Onnut - Bearing - 5.25 km 2) Bearing - Samrong Tai plus the depot - 3.25 km (to prevent local criticism from vested interests claiming the project will ruin the environment despite the fact that the surrounding area is filled with factories) 3) Taksin Bridge - Taksin Road - 2.2 km The Mayor who opposed the project got a flaming responses from Paknam People that they felt the mayor was associated with vested interests who are trampling on public opinion. The
Skytrain's ours, city insists - The Nation,
Jun 2, 2003
He was responding to comments by Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who said the government would cut BTS fares by half. Suriya indicated that the central government might manage the project itself to get lower fares. Critics theorised that Thai Rak Thai might want to use the project as leverage to win support in the election for Bangkok governor next year. Skytrain: Over 400,000 passengers on Valentine's Day - May 23, 2003 Wisarut Bholsithi reports: Skytrain passengers peaked at 403,521 a day on Valentine's Day (February 14, 2003) probably due to couples dating and seeking "love nests" at the hotels around Silom and Sukhumvit. In comparison, the Putra and Star mass transit systems in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has already merged into a single company with a monthly pass for the combined system that costs 125 Ringgit. A monthly pass for either Star or Putra is 70 Ringgit. Average daily passengers for Putra is 160,000 passenger a day and the average for Star is about 100,000 passengers a day. Putra is peaking at 180,000 passengers a day while Star is peaking at 125,000 passengers a a day. News you won't find in the English-language papers: HK New World plans to take over Thai mass transit - translated and summarized by Wisarut Taksin extension: 70% done & ready for service on December 5, 2004 - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi, Dailynews, February 28, 2003 Taksin extension is 70% done. It will be ready to be opened on December 5, 2004. There will be bidding for contractor to deal with Samrong extension by the end of 2003. BMA is also going to call a new bid for the contractor to handle the construction of stations along Taksin extension. The structure for the extension would be the same structure as the initial project to speed up implementation. Samrong extension is still calling a new bid. If BMA picks a winner, the contract would be signed on September 2003--so as to implement the system--to be done and open for service by December 2006. For the number of Skytrain passengers, it is now 93.5 million trip-persons for 2002, a 20% increase from 74 million trip-persons in 2001. The number of passenger is increasing on weekdays and even more on holidays. There will be now be announcements if technical glitches delay trains. The BMA is also working hard to catch illegal hawkers in the National Stadium Station and Victory Monument Station. Skytrain extension plans moving ahead - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath and Dailynews, February 25, 2003 Director Khamrobrak Suratsawadee (Director of BMA Traffic and Transportation Bureau) told the press that the central government has granted 7 billion baht to cover 60% of the budget for both Skytrain extensions. However, the central government budget has a sring attached that BMA is obligated to construct Southern Bangkok Transporation Center (Taksin Center), and set up a joint ticketing system with the subway, expressway, Mahachai Railway, and other modes of transporation. BMA is proposing a revision on the investment plan for Skytrain extensions. BMA Traffic and Transportation Bureau is propositng to extend the northern route from Mochit to Saphan Mai (Ying Charoen flee market - 16 km) since the extension to Ratchayothin is not adequate enough to cover very dense areas and to meet the local demand. The Kaset intersection will have a new tunnel for cars from Ngam Wongwan to Nawamin Road as a temporary measure to deal with traffic congestion at Kaset Intersection. Senanikhom Flyover must be torn down to make a way for the Skytrain extension. After opening the Northern extension, BMA might reassemble the flyover. Further detais will come up during the meeting with Traffic Committtee in the next two weeks. Commentary by Wisarut: If BMA is obligated to construct a Southern Bangkok Transportation Center, Taksin Extension must be extended to Bang Wah which will become an interchange with the Subway so that the rolling stock of Subway and Skytrain can be used on both tracks. BMA needs to boost revenue from local taxes and issue more municiple bonds to cover expenses on the Skytrain extensions and Southern Bangkok Transportation Center. More Commentary by Wisarut: An extension to Saphan Mai is not a bad idea at all. However, BMA must be an underwriter for BTSC so that German creditors would be glad to grant more loans to BTSC. Othewise, they could apply hostile takeover as the last measure for the prolonging debt problems. Update on Skytrain extensions!
- translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi
from Prachachart Thhurakij - Jan 27-29, 2003
BMA is hiring Utility Design Consultant Co. Ltd to work as a consultant to handle the preliminary design and drafting the bidding documents for two Skytrain extensions. 1) Taksin Extension - 2.2km, 2 stations 1.1 billion baht 2) Samrong Extension - 8.9 km, 8 stations, 8.4 billion baht (only 6 will be actually implemented while leaving the other 2 as future stations). From 9.5 billion baht budget -> 6.5 billion baht is from the central government and the other 3.0 billion baht is from BMA revenue. If everything goes according to the plan, the contract signing will be in October 2003 so that the Taksin extension will be opened for service in August 2004 and the Samrong extension will be constructed in December 2003 and open for service in August 2006. BMA is planning to purchase 15-30 rai of land along Bang Na- Bang Pakong Highway (between BITEC and the Outer Ring Road) to set up a new Park and Ride Facility as a part of new extension, with a budget of 500 million baht. BMA officers are working on feasibility studies for other new extensions for the Skytrain: Phase 2 - Paholyothin Extension -> Mochit - Kasetsart University - 4 km [Note: This is a slightly extended line based on a 1995 proposal to relieve congestion in the Kaset area and meet local demands. However, the demolition of the flyover is a must.] Phase 3 A) Paknam Extension -> from Samrong Tai to Downtown Samut Prakarn (Paknam) - 7.9 km [Note: This follows both Sukhumvit Road and the old Paknam Railway - passing the Naval Academy. It will need special rails to withstand the salty atmosphere since Paknam is very close to the mouth of the Chaophraya River.] B) Phaholyothin Extension -> Kasetsart University - Donmuang - 6.7 km [Note: This is for those who live in Bang Khen, Saphan Mai, and RTAF area.] C) Pin Klao Extension -> National Stadium - Pin Klao Bridge - 4.6 km [Note: This line will pass into Rattanakosin Island (BKK City Center), therefore, BMA may have to consider hiring MRTA to drill double tunnels from Yot Se (Saphan Kasatsuek) to Pin Klao. An attempt to construct the Skytrain along Mahanak Canal may cause serious offense to the Muslim community who have lived there for 200 years. [Thai infrastructure projects often inexplicably are routed through sensitive Muslim areas.] Attempts to run the Skytrain on Rattanakosin island above ground without design considerations might clash with old buildings.] D) Phase 4 - Phaholyothin Extension - Donmuang - Lam Lookka - 14 km [Note: This is for those who live in the northern Bangkok suburbs. However, this extension may be frozen or readjusted to fit the demands of those who live in Si Mum Mueang - Rangsit area since their demands are much higher due to the fact that Rangsit is considered a Northern Terminal for most BMTA buses.] [More notes: Those who live along Lad Phrao road (up to Bang Kapi) said they want BMA to extend the Skytrain to their area since the traffic around Bang Kapi intersection is worsening due to lots of traffic magnets (The Mall, Carrefour, Happyland market). However it will be a very long time before this implementation of the BTS "Yellow Line." The Yellow Line should probably be started from Mochit 2 (New Bangkok Bus terminal) instead of Ratchada-Lad Phrao intersection and then go along Ratchadaphisek before turning left to Lad Phrao so that it will make life much more convenient from those who want to go out of Bangkok during long weekends and for those rural people who what to find new jobs in town.] Extended route to Taksin road ready by mid-2004 - Bangkok Post, Janaury 21, 2003 The 2.2km extension of the skytrain route from Sathon to Taksin road is expected to be completed next year, while bidding for the Onnuch-Samrong route will start soon. Jim Panthumkomol, head of the city's traffic and transport department, said construction of the skytrain route linking Sathon with Taksin was 75% complete and expected to be finished next year. Meanwhile, documents were being prepared for bidding for construction of the 8.9km extension from Onnuch station to Samrong (Soi Sukhumvit 119). The contractor would be picked later this year. The route could be completed around mid-2006, Mr Jim said. Operating the line depends on cabinet approval of new financing rules for the Skytrain. BMA approves 9.5 billion baht for Skytrain extensions - Funding plans still waiting for cabinet approval - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews, January 2, 2003 The Samrong and Taksin Skytrain extensions will receive 9.5 billion baht for civil work from the BMA Budget Bureau. However, they will receive the first 1.5 billion baht in 2003 and the rest will follow in the next few years. BMA is waiting for cabinet approval to change the investment ratio to allow BMA investment on Skytrain extension. If approved, BMA will call a new bid immediately. BMA Traffic Bureau Director Jim Phanthummakomol said that BMA has been waiting since October, 2002 for cabinet approval on the change of investment from 100% private investment to a public-private investment (the central government 65% and BMA 35%) for the Taksin and Samrong Skytrain extensions. For the Ratchayothin extension, BMA will submit a plan later. If the cabinet approves the investment plan, BMA will call a new bid for civil works on both extensions immediately. At the same time, BMA will call private firms to bid on rail, signals, and rolling stock. The BMA Budget Bureau has approved 9.5 billion baht for investment on civil work for both extensions--1.5 billion baht in budget year 2003--750 million from central government and the rest from BMA. For bidding, BMA has to wait from the cabinet to set up a committee to deal with the bid since the investment conditions have changed. If BTSC is chosen to run the extension using old cars and investing partially on signal and systems, BTSC will must pay BMA more dividend since the BMA and central government have enabled the company to gain more passengers by investing on the civil works [i.e. they paid for the structure--this bidding scenario raises the bizarre, but unlikely possibility that another company, other than the one that presently runs the Skytrain, could be chosen to operate the extensions]. By the end of 2003, the cabinet should approve the new investment plan and thus BMA will be able to call a new bid on civil work. [This has been going on for some time. See Political vendettas doom Skytrain extensions, Matichon, September 17, 2002] |
