THE Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has launched a tender for a public-private partnership (PPP) contract to fund, design and build the western section of the 35.9km Orange Line, as well as operating and maintaining the full line for 30 years.

The western section, which will run from Bang Khun Non to Thailand Cultural Centre, will connect with the under-construction eastern section from Thailand Cultural Centre to Suwinthawong. MRTA says the eastern section is 93.5% complete. The full Orange Line includes 27km of underground and 8.9km of elevated line, with 21 underground stations and seven elevated stations.

MRTA is responsible for civil works on the eastern section of the Orange Line and land acquisition for the western section. The winner of the PPP contract will carry out the design and execution of civil works on the western section, as well as the design, procurement, manufacture, installation, testing and commissioning of the mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems for the full Orange Line. The private partner will also operate the line for 30 years from the opening of the eastern section.

The government will provide a Baht 96bn ($US 2.8bn) subsidy for the construction of the western section. Thailand’s cabinet approved the Thailand Cultural Centre - Bang Khun Non section in January 2020, when the Orange Line was expected to cost Baht 140bn.

The M&E equipment includes rolling stock, signalling and train control, power supply, communications, automatic fare collection, platform screen doors, and workshop equipment.

Companies or joint ventures bidding for the contract must be at least 35% Thai-owned. Bids must be submitted by July 27 and will be opened on August 1.

The bids will be scored on: organisation structure, key staff and work plan (10%); civil works (50%); M&E systems (10%); and O&M services (30%).

  • The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced plans to launch a bidding process to secure private investment for the Grey Line monorail project within the next two years, with an investment budget of Baht 27.8bn. Three investment models have been put forward for the project: PPP net cost, PPP gross cost and PPP modified gross cost.

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