The BSR Joint Venture ( BSR ), comprising of BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited ( BTSG ), Sino - Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited ( STEC ) and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited ( RATCH ), recently held a press conference regarding the ‘ Pink Line Monorail Project : Khae Rai - Min Buri Section and Yellow Line Monorail Project : Lat Phrao - Samrong Section’ at the Surasak Room 2-3,11th Floor of the Eastin Sathorn Hotel Bangkok.
Mr. Keeree Kanjanapas, Chairman of the BTS Group, on behalf of the BSR Joint Venture, expressed gratitude to the government and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand ( MRTA )for nominating the BSR as the winning bidder for the concessions, in compliance with the Private Investments in State Undertaking Act, B.E. 2556 (2013). Under prescribed terms, the concessionaire will be responsible for the design, build, and supply of Civil Works, M&E Systems and O&M Services for the two projects. Accordingly BSR will now enter into further negotiations for the implementation of a PPP Net Cost arrangement for both the Pink Line Monorail Project : Khae Rai - Min Buri Section and the Yellow Line Monorail Project: Lat Phrao - Samrong Section, results of which are to be submitted for cabinet approval in March or April 2017.
Under the PPP Net Cost arrangement for the Pink and Yellow Line Projects, the government will be responsible for the acquisition of land and provide funding of up to 20,135 billion Baht for civil works construction of the Pink Line, and 22,354 Billion Baht for the Yellow Line. The concessionaire will carry out civil works construction, install M&E systems, and provide train operation and maintenance services. The total investment cost of the Pink Line is 53,490 Billion Baht and for the Yellow Line 51,810 Billion Baht. The concession contracts for both projects cover a period of 33 years and 3 months (construction period of 3 years 3 months, followed by 30 years of train operation and maintenance). The concessionaire will be responsible for train operation and maintenance, automatic fare collection and commercial development in the system throughout the concession contract, with revenue going to the MRTA.
Mr.Keeree added that BTSC, as an established investor in elevated train development for more than 25 years since, became the country's first mass transit railway operator when the BTS SkyTrain opened in 1999 and now has over 17 years of experience operating under a PPP net cost concession. Over the years the company has faced many difficulties, but has succeeded in providing fast, convenient and high quality transport services for the people of Bangkok. The company has undertaken a thorough feasibility study of these two projects and is confident that the two lines are suitable for investment by the private sector and can achieve an acceptable return. Given the strong alliance with Sino - Thai and Ratchaburi, BSR Joint Venture can ensure that the project will be run efficiently and that the cost of construction is competitive. During the bidding process, Sino - Thai, the country's leading construction company, worked hard to establish the most cost-effective pricing for the civil works, while Ratchaburi, with established expertise in electrical power systems provided detailed technical advice, lending further competitive edge to the bid. Together with a thorough knowledge of train system procurement and good connections with international suppliers established over many years, the BSR Joint Venture is confident in its capability to both invest in and successfully deliver these major new mass transit projects.
In addition, to further enhance the convenience and viability of the Pink and Yellow Lines for the travelling public, BSR has offered to extend the Pink Line a distance of 2.6 km. from Sri Rat Station (PK 10) on Chaeng Wattana Road, to provide a direct connection to Muang Thong Thani. This densely populated area is rapidly expanding with major commercial developments and government offices, as well as the site of the Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Trade Centre, which hosts many international events attended over 2 million people. The new line extension would provide both added convenience as well as reduce road traffic congestion at peak times.
For the Yellow Line Project, BSR Joint Venture is offering to extend the line from Ratchada Station ( YL01 ) running along Ratchadapisek Road and terminating at a new station close to the Ratchayothin intersection. The new station would then be linked via a walkway to the Green Line extension ( Mo Chit – Ku-Kot now under construction ) at Station 10 ( Soi Phaholyothin 24 ).
In order to provide passengers with even more travel convenience, BSR will provide one ticket: Single Journey and SmartPass (Mangmoom Card ) for use on the existing line, pink line and yellow line. The links with existing lines will be paid-to-paid, allowing passengers to connect seamlessly without exiting and re-entering the system.
BTS Group, Sino - Thai and Ratchaburi intend to invest in both projects, with each project having a fully registered share capital of 14 billion, totaling 28 billion. The remaining investment of 70 billion will be in the form of a loan from an appropriate financial institution and/or raised from the capital market i.e. bond issue etc. BSR Joint Venture has already discussed arrangements with various financial institutions and concerned parties, and believe that funding can be secured to meet the project schedule.
Mr. Pakpoom Srichamni, President of Sino-Thai, said that the company has undertaken a careful feasibility study of both projects and is confident that it is able to construct the civil works as scheduled within the price offered. Launching construction of both projects simultaneously will lead to various cost advantages from combined resourcing.
Mr. Rum Herabat, Chief Executive Officer of Ratchaburi Electric said that the company is interested to invest in the new railway system, as it has established expertise and resources in electrical systems related to the mass transit. The company will work closely with BTS Group and Sino-Thai on the project implementation and is confident in the investment potential of the Pink and Yellow Line Projects.
THE PINK LINE
KHAE RAI – MIN BURI
KHAE RAI – MIN BURI
BACKGROUND
The Pink Line mass transit system (Khae Rai - Min Buri) is one of the mass transits planned in Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region: M-MAP. The Pink Line network has been planned to accommodate travel demand of the northern Bangkok. According to the M-MAP developed by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), the Pink Line was assigned as a minor mass transit system in terms of elevated straddle monorail. This project is a monorail system with 34.5 kilometer distance.
CHARACTERISTICS
Alignment
The Pink Line has been planned to accommodate travel demand of the northern Bangkok between Min Buri district and Nonthaburi Province. Route alignment of the Pink Line starts from the first station located between Nonthaburi Civic Center and Khae Rai intersection on Rattanathibet road. At this station, passengers can connect to the Purple Line mass transit system (Bang Yai – Bang Sue). Then, the alignment turns left and goes along Tiwanon road until Pak Kret intersection, then turns right onto Chaeng Watthana road, passes Muang Thong Thani, passes Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty and Lak Si intersection. Also, the alignment will have a connection to the Dark Red Line at Lak Si station and the alignment continues by passing under the Don Muang Tollway and heads for Ramindra road. At Wat Prasrimahathat station (Phithak Ratthathammanun Monument), it will be an interchange station of the Pink Line and the Dark Green Line (Mo Chit - Sapanmai). The alignment follows Ramindra road, crosses over the Chalong Rat expressway until reaches Min Buri intersection, then enters Min Buri Municipality, turns right, crosses over Ramkhamhaeng road and ends at Ramkhamhaeng-Rom Klao intersection. At this terminal station (Min Buri), passengers can connect to the Orange Line (Taling Chan - Min Buri). The entire length of the Pink Line contains the distance of 34.5 kilometers.
Structure
The pre - cast girder is the most appropriate for the viaduct structure because mostly of the alignment is at the middle of the road median. Typical viaduct structures in Pink Line project mostly are single column with dual track. Standard span, less than 25 meters length, would use prestressed concrete girder. Steel guideway girder can be used in the long span which span length is greater than 25 meters. Substructures of the elevated structures can be divided into 2 types; single column and portal frame. The span length is about 20 – 30 meters. The column is on the 1.5-1.8 meters diameter of pile cap or barrette pile. The distance between centers of beam is about 3.7 meters in the straight line section and increasing in the curve line section.
Stations
There will be 30 stations along the route. Station structure will be an elevated structure type. Platform stations are either lateral or central depends on physical conditions. Certain stations will be integrated with other mass transit lines to allow the transfer of passengers. Escalators, lifts, toilets, information displays, public address and all facilities for the handicap will be equipped.
Depot
Depot at Min Buri is located on the area of approximately 118,400 square meters(229 Rai) near Ramkhamhaeng road between Soi Ramkhamhaeng 192 and Song Ton Nun Canal. As depot is at the terminal station, train will be more convenience to operate. Moreover, P&R facilities at this depot can serve passengers not only the Pink Line but also, the Orange Line because this station is an interchange station between both transit lines.
Park & Ride
1 park and ride building at Min Buri station . Park and ride building capacity is 3,000 cars
Track
The standard track gauge shall be 1,435 millimeters, measured 14 millimeters below the surface of the rails between the inner faces of the two running rails.
Rolling Stock
The 750 Volts DC rolling stock with 3 to 4 cars will be used. The system should have a service capacity of more than 30,000 passengers per hour per direction.
Systemwide and Fare Collection System
The signaling and communication system, power supply and fare collection system of this line will be the same as those of the Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line.
THE YELLOW LINE
LAT PHRAO-SAMRONG
LAT PHRAO-SAMRONG
BACKGROUND
According to the feasibility study on economics and environment and the preliminary design of the Yellow Line project which was undertaken by Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) during the years 2007-2011, the Yellow Line project was divided into 2 sections, i.e. Ratchada/Lat Phrao-Phatthanakan section and Phatthanakan-Samrong section, or The Yellow
Line(Lat Phrao - Samrong)
CHARACTERISTICS
The Yellow Line(Lat Phrao-Samrong) is the straddle monorail system on the elevated structure, 30.4 kilometers with 23 stations. It is the interconnecting line between the Blue Line at Ratchada station (Lat Phrao station of the Blue Line) and the other 4 lines of mass transit system, i.e. the Grey Line(◌ฺBMA) at Chalong Rat intersection, the Orange Line at Lam Sali intersection, Airport Rail Link at Rama IX interchange and the Green Line: Bearing-Samut Prakan at Samrong station.
Alignment (Lat Phrao-Samrong)
The alignment originates at the interchange station with the Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line (the Blue Line Initial System) at Ratchada/Lat Phrao intersection and runs along Lat Phrao road, to connect with the Grey Line(BMA) at Chalong Rat intersection, across Chalong Rat Expressway to Bang Kapi intersection. Then, the alignment will turn right toward south on Srinagarindra road to connect with the Orange Line at Lam Sali intersection, across Rama IX interchange to connect with the Airport Rail Link through Phatthanakan, Si Nut, Si Udom Suk, Si Iam til Si Thepha intersection. The alignment will turn west onto Thepharak road to interconnect with the Green Line: Bearing-Samut Prakan at Samrong station and ends on Pu Chao Saming Phrai road. The total length is approximately 30.4 kilometers consisting of 23 stations, a depot at the east of SiIam interchange, a park and ride building at the space of Si Iam interchange
