The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is negotiating with Bangkok Land Plc to extend the planned Pink Line to Muang Thong Thani and build a train maintenance facility in the area.
MRTA governor, Yongsit Rojsrikulsaid the plan would benefit commuters living in the area.
The Council of State has been asked to deliberate whether the move must be done in line with the Joint Venture Act, the governor said.
Mr Yongsit said the train parking and maintenance facility could be run as a joint venture with Bangkok Land.
Two new train stations would be added, he said.
In addition to the railway extension, the maintenance facility would be constructed on a 30-rai plot with an investment of 1.5 billion baht, he said.
Mr Yongsit said Bangkok Land had offered the land with no lease payment in exchange for the right to be able to construct a building over the underground maintenance facility.
The linkage to Muang Thong Thani will be a welcome boost for residents in the area, the governor said, adding that an extra 200,000 passengers could use the Pink Line service every day.
The MRTA will launch a bidding contest for construction of the Pink Line, running from Khae Rai to Pak Kret and Min Buri, in the middle of next year, Mr Yongsit said.
The MRTA’s Green Line, from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai and Ku Kot, will be open for bidding early next year, and bids for the Orange Line from Taling Chan to Min Buri will also open late next year, he said.
The MRTA also plans to develop train operations in key provinces, such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and Chon Buri.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/323396/pink-line-muang-thong-thani-link-mulled
