Delay in rail line trials likely

The launch of the Pink and Yellow electric train lines is likely to be postponed to the end of the year, as the Covid-19 outbreak has disrupted the delivery of construction equipment, says the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).

MRTA governor, Pakapong Sirikantaramas, said the pandemic has forced the agency to reconsider the construction timeline of both lines, as the countries which manufacture the equipment needed to complete the capital’s new mass transit projects have been forced to reduce their production output.

Adding to delays, any equipment that can be sent over is also subject to added clearance procedures, as inbound shipments during the Covid-19 pandemic will have to go through a more thorough inspection.

The 34.5-kilometre Pink Line which will link Nonthaburi and Min Buri was supposed to commence trial operations in July.

Meanwhile, the 30.4-km Yellow Line monorail system, with 23 stations in total, was envisioned as a minor transit system to shuttle commuters between Lat Phrao in Bangkok and Samrong in Samut Prakan. It was supposed to commence limited trial operations between Wat Sri Iam and Samrong stations in July, too.

The expected delays have forced the concessionaires of both lines to rearrange their work schedules to make do with the limited equipment they have, so the trial operations for both lines are likely to be pushed at least until the end of the year, Mr Pakapong said.

Meanwhile, the MRTA has sent the appendix of the contract for the two-station spur line on the Pink Line between Si Rat and Muang Thong Thani stations for legal vetting by the prosecution.

The contract was sent for a further review after it was revealed the prosecution failed to screen the contract’s appendix, which mostly contains technical specifications.