BMA stands by smart sign ToR

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has insisted the terms of reference (ToR) to seek a new operator for smart traffic signs in Bangkok was not designed to benefit the previous contractor.

Suthon Anakul, director of City Hall’s Traffic and Transport Department, yesterday insisted there were no specific conditions in the ToR which benefited any particular parties to win the new bidding for the smart traffic sign projects or Variable Message Sign (VMS) display screens.

In Bangkok, VMS screens are installed along main roads to display traffic congestion as well as other trafficrelated information.

The denial by City Hall came after the public raised doubts over the new bid for the smart traffic sign project as specific conditions in the ToR could benefit the previous operator.

Mr Suthon said the contract to operate 40 smart traffic signs by Genius Traffic System Co, the previous contractor, had expired on Wednesday.

Genius Traffic System had operated the system for nine years.

Therefore, City Hall had to seek new operator this month to avoid inconvenience to the public due to blank screens.

According to the ToR, the new contractor will operate and provide maintenance for 50 smart traffic signs worth about 15 million baht across the city under a one-year contract period.

The ToR also said bidders are required to be Thai-registered juristic persons who have experience in operating VMS display screens or similar traffic sign projects worth at least 30 million baht with City Hall.

In the public’s view, these conditions could lock out private companies which have never worked for City Hall.

The public also said specific features of the smart traffic signs may be outdated which could result in inefficiency of the project.

Mr Suthon said the ToR were announced on t he department’s website. The current 40 signs will be increased to 50 signs which will be enhanced by modern traffic technology.

The bidding will also be carried out online in an e-auction pattern.

Mr Suthon said it was necessary to acquire the new operator which was adept at smart traffic sign technology to avoid problems which could result in damage to City Hall.

However, the department was open to comments on the issue.

If the agency received any complaints on the ToR, it was willing to revise any details on the document if they are deemed to be unfair.