Bangkok: New Orange Metro Line to Begin Operation in 2028 — Investments, Timelines, and Expected Passenger Flow
06.08.2024
On July 30, 2024, an investment deal was signed in Thailand, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has entered into an agreement with the transportation operator and developer company Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM).
This agreement pertains to the construction and operation of the new Orange metro line in Bangkok, which will be 39.5 km long.
The construction of the eastern section of the line, which includes 22.5 km and 17 stations (10 underground and 7 elevated), was largely completed in 2022.
The western section, which is 13.4 km long with 11 underground stations, is yet to be built.
To this end, BEM has contracted with CH. Karnchang, responsible for construction work, equipment installation, and the supply of 53 electric trains. Of these trains, 32 will be used on the Orange line, while the rest will be allocated to the Blue line.
The total investment in the project exceeds 140 billion Thai Baht (approximately 3.9 billion USD).
Out of this amount, BEM has already secured a loan agreement for 120 billion Baht, of which 90 billion will be used for construction work and 30 billion for equipment procurement.
The eastern section is scheduled to be operational by May 2028, while the western section is expected to be completed by November 2030.
The concession for operating the line will be granted to BEM for 30 years from the commencement of the eastern section.
It is anticipated that in the first year of operation, the eastern section will handle around 120,000 passengers per day.
Once the entire line is completed, the expected passenger volume is projected to rise to 300,000 per day.
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