SRT to invite private sector bids for managing commercial areas
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will invite bids from private contractors to manage the commercial areas at the Bang Sue Grand Station as well as along the Red Line suburban railway system in June this year, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said this week.
“The project will cover a total area of 52,375 square metres, including food courts, shops and parking lots,” he said.
“The SRT will also seek contractors to operate limousine or shuttle bus services for commuters under a 15-20-year contract.”
Saksayam added that a detailed survey revealed the Bang Sue Grand Station has total commercial area of 4,626 square metres and advertising area of 2,407sqm.
“We plan to let private companies use these areas under a three-year contract. The bidding should start in June, the contract signing in August, and the station would open for the public at the end of 2021.”
Saksayam has also ordered the SRT to study suitable fares for the Red Line urban train based on operational cost, number of passengers and frequency of trains.
“The ministry also has been working with Krungthai Bank Plc to implement the EMV [Europay Mastercard and Visa] system throughout the train route to increase convenience for commuters, and estimated that it would be ready by the time the station opens,” he said.
The 139km Red Line suburban railway system will consist of two lines, one (also referred to as Dark Red Line) running from Thammasat University's Rangsit campus to Maha Chai in Samut Sakhon province, and the other (Light Red Line) running from Salaya in Nakhon Pathom province to Hua Mark in Bangkok, with both passing through Bang Sue Grand Station, which will act as a connecting hub to the MRT system.
